HOW TO NOT GET RUN OVER

“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

Will Rodgers

A common image of a leader is that of a person standing in front of a group of people giving instructions. Think of Colin Powell standing at the front of the troops or giving a press release. The man commands attention. He is a real leader, not just “on the organizational chart” type of leader. He is not going to get run over.

How do you rate yourself as a leader? Whether you are just starting out in your career, or are a seasoned professional, you can be a leader. The more you demonstrate leadership in your job, the greater chance you’ll promote up into a leadership job. Not everyone is cut out to be a leader. Some seem to be “natural leaders.” Where are you on the leadership continuum; down at “wanna-be,” all the way up to “undisputed” or somewhere in the middle?

On Following

To be a great leader, you first have to be a great follower. You read that right! If you can’t follow, you can’t lead. Most people don’t want to be followers, but they do want to be led. Everyone is a little of both, because everyone has a boss. What are the attributes of a great follower? Here are a few characteristics:

• Humble
• Patient
• Creative
• Disciplined
• Persistent
• Flexible
• Confident

Hmmm. This list looks suspiciously like a list of qualities we seek and hope to find in a great leader. Until you can master these qualities as a follower, you can’t make the leap to leadership.

Look around you. No matter where you go or what you do, you will find leaders at every level of the organizational hierarchy. What qualities do they possess? Some of the above, I’m sure. But, what else did they have that made them leaders? That is your real-life example of a leader. What qualities that they have can you adopt? What qualities do you have trouble adopting, never mind mastering? This is your on-the-job training opportunity for leadership.

Leadership Excellence

How do you learn leadership skills and then put that into effect in your career? Easy, you demonstrate excellent leadership to the most important person in the world. Yourself.

Your ability to lead you is reflected everyday in the job you do, the relationships you have with co-workers or family and friends. In order to lead yourself, you must be a follower of yourself. Can you follow your own lead?

What exactly do I mean? Answer the following questions with yes, sometimes/maybe or no answers. Give yourself 3 points for each yes, 2 points for each maybe/sometimes, and 1 point for each no.

1.   Do you always do what you say you will do?

2.   Do you communicate with clarity and understanding to the level of your audience?

3.   Do you make people feel at ease with you?

4.   Is your attitude positive and optimistic?

5.   Do you know your job and what is expected of you?

6.   Are you willing to help others?

7.   Are you prepared to do your job every day?

8.   Are you using your sense of humor to break down barriers and connect with others?

9.   Are you creative at finding solutions to challenges?

10. Are you sincere in your efforts and relationships?

11. Do you have a good reputation?

12. Do you embrace change?

13. Are you willing to proceed (on a decision or project direction), even if it is the unpopular choice?

14. Are you consistent in all these elements?

How did you score? A perfect score is 42.

39 – 42           You are great leadership material

34 – 38          Good leadership potential

24 – 33           You’ve got more work to do than you think

17 – 23           You are not even a good follower

16 or less       The boss maybe thinking about sending you to HR!

So, don’t just sit there dreaming about becoming a leader. You have to “walk the talk” and start doing the things that leaders do. You start by leading yourself. This is about your personal journey to achieve 42 on the above assessment in leading yourself. If you do an excellent job there, the boss and your co-workers will notice. The closer you get to scoring 42, the more opportunities will come your to demonstrate your leadership to a wider and wider audience. Perhaps, someday, you’ll even be the CEO. It’s possible!

Need help getting to 42? Don’t hesitate to call me, get on the right track, and move towards scoring 42 on your leadership. You don’t want to get run over by not taking action.

A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream.

All things are possible,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund eal@EALCoaching.com

Executive and Life Coaching

Telephone: 916 • 803•1494

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