mind your business: Lead or Be Led

During tough times, leaders either fail to lead or rise above and end up with a trail of followers. Leading in good times is so much easier than leading in difficult times where the leaders' mettle is tried. When it comes to being a good leader, it's about inspiring the masses—not forcing authority.

Leadership, at the forefront is about trust; getting others to trust and believe in you, your abilities and vision. Below are some steps to emerging as a true leader in these times:

1. Convince others that you have a vision. Your vision must be crystal-clear to yourself and others, and must ring true so those you lead feel safe in following you.

2. Convince others that you have the knowledge, skills and tools at your ready that will enable you to deliver. Just having a clear and purposeful vision is not enough. Having the tools necessary to deliver the vision is just as crucial. Your people must believe to the depths of their souls that you have what it takes to make things happen.

3. Convince others to let you take hold of the steering wheel for the time necessary to move your vision into action. Without someone steering, nobody gets anywhere. For too many, the decision of indecision is their preferred strategy. That does not work in leading an organization through the land mines of today's globally volatile economy. If you are going to call yourself a leader, take definitive actions.

4. Help others to imagine how your vision will result in helping to make their lives better. Nobody wants to make their lives worse. It is your job as a leader to help those you lead to see the glimmering light of hope through ultimate actions. They are listening to what you do more than listening to what you say.

5. Celebrate every milestone along the way. As you steer your organization toward your vision, have milestone markers set up and celebrate every one reached. This helps those in your organization to viscerally realize that the organization is moving toward the intended vision.

Leading others is about building a trusting relationship with them; they have to trust your direction, strategy and implementation tactics. Trust is the most powerful relationship glue on earth. Trust is not bestowed upon you based on title, position or any other outward trappings. It is an accumulation of all that you say and do. You must keep your word in all aspects; actions, rewards and penalties—otherwise, your word is only partially valid which actually translates to: no trust. Say what you are going to do, do what you say and say what you did—therein are found your successful leadership strategy.

By Ed Rigsbee, CSP

Copyright © 2010 Ed Rigsbee

As an internationally recognized keynote speaker on partnering, alliance and relationship ROI, Ed Rigsbee helps corporate and nonprofit audiences end the anxiety of lost opportunities and unfulfilled promises and get what they say done. Ed Rigsbee, certified speaking professional, has been working with for-profits and nonprofits for more than four decades. For the last 20 years, he has been an observer, researcher and teacher; helping organizations of all sizes to build successful internal and external collaborative relationships. In addition to serving corporate and nonprofit clients in their partnering, alliance and relationship ROI needs, Rigsbee also serves as the executive director of a (501 (c) 3) public nonprofit charity. Rigsbee has authored three books and more than 1,500 articles helping organizations to take full advantage of their potential. Visit his website at www.rigsbee.com.