There is a significant difference between well-intentioned leadership and being a relevant, sustainable, meaningful, and effective leader. After more than four decades of participation, in almost all aspects of leadership, from the identification, qualification, training, development and consulting of thousands of real and / or potential leaders, to serving, as a leader, personally, for organizations of various sizes, scopes and intentions / heritage, I have come to firmly believe that the essence of leadership lies in the level and degree of professionalism PLANNING. With that in mind, this article will briefly attempt, consider, review, examine and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why, it is almost impossible, to be a real leader, without possessing these skills. and needs.
1. Purpose; priorities; plans: Before beginning, an individual must objectively examine his personal reasons and purposes for becoming the leader of a specific organization at a specific time. One’s personal priorities should be consistently aligned with those of your organization and stakeholders, and you should come up with plans to make a significant difference – for the better!
2. Hear; learn; principal: Will you be ready, willing, and able to listen consistently, effectively, much more than you speak, and will you learn from each conversation and experience, to be able to address both reality and perceived needs, goals, and priorities? Will you truly commit to leading, or will you restrict your efforts, to the same, the same, the same?
3. Attitude; fitness; attention; articulate: A great leader must possess a positive, true and positive attitude, so that others are motivated in an inspired, necessary and productive way. This should be done, while improving and developing your skill set, in a relevant way, to maximize your fitness. When these qualities are combined with a willingness to pay close attention, with an open mind, step forward, and articulate a compelling message, one increases one’s chances of becoming a true leader!
Four. Needs; nuances: Since each group has characteristics, a heritage, a history, etc. determined, unique, to be able to lead effectively, it is necessary to proceed, to address them, with the relevant nuances. When voters perceive that you are concerned and have a quality plan to address their needs, they are much more motivated and inspired!
5. Nerve: A great leader must be ready, willing and able to move on, when others dare, no! Look for someone, with the nerve, to make a difference, for the better, without preconceived notions and / or restrictions.
6. Imagination; ideas; ideology; integrity; inspired: Nothing works, unless / until someone has absolute integrity, even when it’s not convenient! Possessing a relevant, well-developed and sustainable imagination, combined with a commitment to the group’s ideology, generates quality and relevant ideas, which makes a real difference and inspires real and potential stakeholders.
7. Necessary: Will someone do what is needed and what is necessary? Will you also look, strategically, at what the strongest and most sustainable group will create? 8. Generate goodwill; growth; greatness: Leading means seeking real greatness, with the intention of generating goodwill! This must be accompanied by a focus on constant and sustainable growth, for the common good!
True leaders must commit to professional, well-defined, and developed leadership. PLANNING! Are you up to the task?