History in motion
America has a rich history that involves hard work, ingenuity, and a certain entrepreneurial genius. Our ancestors idolized competition, as well as the ability to overcome great obstacles, and likewise, American corporations have traditionally had high expectations of individual contribution and little tolerance for poor performance. Because of this, traditional management teams took an authoritarian perspective: demanding performance, demanding results, withholding information, and promoting loyal servitude. The days of Ebenezer Scrooge (Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol) are long gone. Today’s managers boast interdependence, team values, and a strong work-life balance. You can develop the skills and techniques to increase your ability to achieve the profile of a successful executive mentioned above; But unsurprisingly, it will require hard work, determination, and many more character qualities.
Service leader
The supreme leader is the servant leader. “Servant leadership focuses on greater service to others rather than to oneself.” Although Robert Greenleaf is credited with this phrase in 1970, the concept originated thousands of years ago and was recorded in the Bible. “Jesus called them [his disciples] together and said: ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. On the other hand, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. ‘”The point that Jesus makes is that the greatest leaders are those who serve the people who inform them. Whether or not a religious person, this concept applies and is solid in any business.
- Patience: You need to be able to wait quietly and happily for something without complaining.
- Modesty: There is no place for pride and arrogance here; a modest estimate of its value is key. A humble leader allows others to share in success rather than racking up praise.
- Kindness: Kind-hearted, considerate, humane and understanding people. It’s easy to be around a friendly leader; subordinates of this type of leader feel welcomed and considered.
- Goodness: Deliberately choosing right over wrong, especially in moral situations. In the presence of genuine kindness, employees can relax and not constantly look out for their own interests.
- Fidelity: “Firmly and devotedly adhere to a person, cause, idea, promises, oaths, contracts, treaties or other commitments.” Leaders who are loyal to their subordinates build trust and loyalty within their team.
- Sweetness: Be able to calm situations with your less severe or less intense behavior.
- Self-control: Demonstrate control of your impulses, emotions, desires or actions of your own free will.
- Honesty: Truthfulness and honesty are hard to come by these days, but leaders who are not deceptive or fraudulent, do not cheat or defraud employees or customers, they create the trust of those around them.
Also, it is necessary to extract certain qualities of your personality. Are you honest enough with yourself to identify any of the following?
- Hate: Take action on your intense anger or animosity towards someone or something.
- Envy: You are not happy with what you have and are resentful of what others have: property, appearance, talent or popularity of others.
- Jealousy: I can’t stand that others have something that you want or feel you deserve.
- Selfish ambition: Totally caught up in what’s best for you and your comfort to the point where you ignore others or advance at the expense of others.
- Sabotage: Deliberately taking actions to defeat or hinder normal operations in a treacherous manner.
- Despotic: Using cruelty, intimidation and aggressive force with subordinates or weaker people.
- Causing dissension and factions.
It takes years of personal investment for these characteristics to mature; a person who lacks these qualities is likely to fail when challenged repeatedly. Applying the servant-leader philosophy requires a commitment to keep your focus on others even when you feel needy, as well as the stamina to stay on track even when you are exhausted or discouraged. It is not an easy road. How much easier it would be for all companies to support this philosophy from the top down, providing encouragement, tools for success or coaching; But managers can still be successful simply by working within their circle of influence. Research shows that managers can, successfully and independently of a corporation, provide this environment for their immediate workforce.
