Leadership: Five Steps to Success

What makes a successful leader? That is a difficult question to answer since we all have our own degrees of success. In this article I approach success as the achievement of a dream. What can a leader do to ensure that their team is actually part of that dream’s achievement?

Set the Example

It is often said that actions speak louder than words. This is so true. A leader earns the right to lead by being involved, setting the example, and showing a willingness to do everything that he or she asks their team to do.

Make Your Vision Their Vision

As leaders we cannot demand commitment to our vision and dream. We need to paint a picture of our vision or dream. Let them see what that vision is. It may be hard for them to visualize what we have visualized. Remember, we cannot demand commitment from anyone. However, we can inspire it.

Always Look For Ways to Improve

There is always a way to improve for no leader is perfect. A good leader learns from their mistakes and failures. Don’t be afraid to try. If we succeed; awesome. If we fail, we can learn from that failure. Hence, the only true failure is to never try at all.

Give Others the Change to Bloom

A leader cannot achieve a vision or dream alone. He or she must give their team the tools they need to succeed and give them room to grow and learn. Teams are more effective when everyone on the team feels like they are part of the team. There are no barriers in a true team. While there must be a leader, a truly successful team is one of equals.

Lead From the Heart

Show appreciation for even the smallest of acts. A simple Thank You note can go a long way in encouraging team members to work towards your vision or dream. It lets every team member know that they are valued and they are important for the team to achieve its long term goals. Sometimes it can take a long time to achieve a vision or dream. By leading from the heart, a leader gets their team to buy into their vision or dream. Once the team has done that, they are more willing to stick with it for the long haul.

Conclusion

It has always been my belief that leaders are not born, but they are made. A leader is a leader because they choose to lead. A follower is a follower because they choose to follow. Why does one choose to follow us? We tend to follow those who have enthusiasm; who motivate and inspire us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."


Written by Donna Loudon
Tupperware Director
Visit her Websites: Tupperware, Information Portal for Women

Article Resources

James M. Kouzes, B. Z. (2009). The Leadership Challenge. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.