Are You a Leader That People will Follow?
What is your impression of a true leader?
I have been doing a little extra assessment of leadership over the last few days due to some recent developments. The results of research I have done should be no surprise to some of you. I have been researching leadership styles a little more than I did in a post I created over a year ago.
At that time I found that there have been 10 different leadership theories:
- Transformational
- Transitional
- Style
- Skill
- Situational
- Contingency
- Servant
- Trait
- Great Man (Born to Lead)
- Leader - Member Exchange
First I want to get you thinking of a you comparison of a "Leader" and a "Boss." Then assess the way you are moving forward with your affiliate programs focusing on your Wealthy Affiliate Program.
Have you been helping others inside the Community? Things offering feedback on different websites. Helping other when they have been asking questions. Even just saying "Hello" and welcoming people into the Wealthy Affiliate community.
Below is a little chart I want you to review and think of what side you are on.
BE HONEST!!!!
I present this to you because of what I have seen recently and if you have been watching you will see it as well. We have a few different lessons with our community were we ask others for feedback, comments, and just simple ask "How's my post look today?"
There are a lot of folks in WA. Yet when what you will see is that when other ask for help, there are few to offer the assistance. We are a community looking to develop success. Success in Wealthy Affiliate comes with dedication, consistency, and learning how to become a leader.
Here is a link to a great video on Leadership "Ten Leadership Theories in Five Minutes"
Recent Comments
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One key point about being a leader that is often missed is that leaders do not have to be at the top of the pyramid. A leader can emerge from anywhere within an organization. They may lead for only a short period of time and then return to being a "follower" (the good sense of the word - there must be followers to have a leader) or they may end up remaining a leader for the long-term.
Here's another great leadership video called First Follower: Leadership Lessons from the Dancing Guy. It emphasizes the beginning of a movement: http://youtu.be/fW8amMCVAJQ.
I agree Allyn, leaders can emerge from anywhere. You see this a lot in public safety. The leaders that emerge come from all directions. Titles like "Chief", "CEO", "President" or whatever do not always make you a leader, they are just titles.
One of the key books we utilized in the Leadership degree program that I administered the past 4 years (until last August) was simply named "Leadership" by Peter Northouse.
As you are studying leadership, you might want to consider this book. It goes through each of the theories you've mentioned as well as a few more leadership considerations, including the history, pros and cons, etc. It's considered one of the best books available today on this topic.
Hi Sag3:
Good discussion. Unfortunately, I don't think I've had a "leader" type boss. However, I can picture myself being a leader in my own company. My son and I often watch "The Profit" and often will see the traditional "authoritarian" bosses turn into "leader" bosses.
Who wouldn't want the Leader as their boss? It would actually make it fun working for other people. Acting like a Leader would be really hard to fake for a Boss type; it would take too much energy.
I may have to question a boss doing things the right way. Sometimes it may look right, while in reality it's what is the standard or what has always been down. Now, does the standard make it the right way? I guess it could the right way if you are not looking to progress. Just a thought.
I meant by the right way, the boss will always follow the rules or execute his boss's orders, without looking at adverse consequences for his staff!
Thanks for the great post and it rings true.
Coming from a leadership background and caring about people, my love for helping and encouraging others runs deep with me.
I am sort of a newbie (2/9/15) however I try to offer help when I can (or when I can actually help - I don't want to lead anyone in the wrong direction).
Commenting on posts, offering feedback on websites and replying to comments is so important. I know how it feels to receive feedback and how much it is appreciated so I try to do whatever I can.
This is point on information and thanks again for sharing.
Tammy
So true, I definitely try to help out others as much as possible, it is definitely something that I enjoy doing. Being someone who doesn't like helping other's or even saying "hello" is definitely not okay. I feel that we should all be willing to help each other out and extend a helping hand whenever it is needed :D
You are 100%, Hello opens the communication. Following up on that Hello creates the relationship to success.
See more comments
I would say I am a natural born leader. I have many years of leading in
different ways. I was also trained to know how to do it.
I always love to encourage people to recognize and trust their abilities to get the job done. I found, when you implement a certain criteria and you also apply to them as the leader, people will take you not only more seriously but also respect and trust you. I further do believe, even though you can be trained to be a leader you also have to be it at the core of your very being, otherwise you will losing your skills over time.
But these are just my thoughts and I don't expect to be right. :)
Sylvia
Very true Sylvia. Some people are born leaders. You can also train and learn to be a leader if you apply the knowledge you have learned. I do believe that a leader does need to be trustworthy as well. Without the trust of the people around you, you are just leading yourself into a dead end.