The Essentials for Effective Leadership Development

Not all people who conduct leadership development are sensitive to the needs of different kinds of leaders. They don’t realize that there are those leaders who rely or depend on other people or experiences just to keep them going, while there are those, like charismatic leaders, who rely on themselves in bringing out their leadership skills.  If you are part of a group that conducts leadership development, then you must know that using the traditional and formal approach no longer works. Now, even leaders want activities that are not purely based on books and theories, but real life learning. 

Since many clients prefer non-traditional leadership development, you must know how to develop strategies to ensure that they will be satisfied with the outcome. Today, one of the most common and effective approaches that is being used in leadership development is incorporating the concept of self-motivation.  This is because many experts believe that leaders these days need lots of reflection and self-assessment. Self-motivation is very important for leaders because it helps them become better aware of their strengths and weaknesses. If a leader knows what his strengths are, he will be able to continue what he is doing and even build upon it. On the other hand, knowing one's weaknesses is as equally as important, because the person will know what areas he should improve. If one knows his weaknesses, he might be able to turn these weaknesses into opportunities that will make him successful in the future. 

To ensure that the participants will be receptive to the idea of using self-motivation to develop good leadership skills, you must carefully explain to them how it works. Encourage them to understand that it is through being self-motivated that an effective leader sets his mind into accomplishing something extraordinary. Setting one’s mind towards something helps him aim for and achieve an objective.

The next best thing that you can tell participants during leadership development is to start with small and simple tasks. Being a leader might be easy for some, but for others, it may be very difficult. Make your participants understand that if they start small and simple, they will be able to accomplish these goals an easier and faster way. If simple goals are set and achieved early, they will be able to earn the self-confidence that they will need in facing greater and bigger challenges ahead. 

Experts agree that leadership development is a very important factor for people who are aiming for success in their lives. This is also important because it gives the person a sense of freedom in choosing paths that he has to take. Through the values that are taught during these activities, leaders are given the chance to maneuver or control their own lives, which in the future will help them become the best persons they possibly can be.

To develop the skills for effective leadership, visit: http://coreedgehrworkforcesolutions.core-edge.com/ and http://charismaticleadership.coreedgecharisma.com

Leadership Is Action... Not Position

People respond to good leadership! Period! It is in all aspects of our lives, not just business.  A mother is a leader in her home; a son may be leader of a team sport or a daughter the leader of the debate team. A group relies on the person in charge to actually lead them to success. A true leader is highly ethical, honest and respected.

In our society we have leaders and followers.  Are we born to one or the other? No! Can you hone your leadership skills? Absolutely!

The leaders that I admire seem to have all of these in place:

a) They think BIG! They don’t put a ceiling in place.  Instead, no limit is set as to how big or how much better something can be.

b) The goals are firmly set in place and the eye does not come off of it.

c) They make known to all involved the final product that they are all going for, example, if you sell widgets, it takes x number of widgets to be affluent, or you want to win that football game and ultimately the title.  Know what you’re going for.

d) They can get compliance to orders.

e) When goals are met they set new goals or raise the bar.  People will follow your lead willingly if you are honest, ethical, if you are consistent and treat them with respect.  Rewarding someone when a job is well done is always appreciated.  A good leader will also dismiss someone who consistently hinders the group or just not a team player.

You can improve your own self- respect and become an inspiration to others. How great is that!

For more information on developing your leadership skills, visit: Charisma

Leadership Training for Aspiring Charismatic Leaders

Leadership training has and always will be a significant part of organizational development.  Unfortunately, organizations are not becoming more effective with the onslaught of new leadership models, because many, if not most, fail to consider the model that best fits the personality of the manager.  There may be consensus among researchers about what components should go into a leadership program, but very little feedback on dissecting the manager’s personality and the leadership model best suited for that personality. Amisano (n.d.) asserted that an effective leadership program should have these components in the curriculum:

·         Effective Communication—Learning the essential parts of effective communicating, includes: active listening, paraphrasing, and motivation.

·         Influencing People—Enlisting positive reinforcement and persuasive techniques that inspire employees toward contributing to the mission of the organization.

·         Management—Outlining and implementing how each person fits into the structure of the organization.

·         Build Trust—Being reliable by leading with openness and competence.

·         Delegate—Sharing tasks and responsibilities that affect the long term benefits of the organization.

Although Amisano outlined the essentials for a general leadership development training program, charismatic personalities may require extensive self-study supported by the disciplines within the Humanities.  The psychodynamics of historical figures from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bill Clinton suggest that charismatic leaders have a preternatural curiosity about human nature and leadership training for aspiring charismatic leaders should focus on subjects within Liberal Arts (Literature, philosophy, history, social sciences, etc…).  Charismatic leaders are shaped and formed by their heroic deeds and need to connect with historical figures that embody their aspirations.  Specialized training for aspiring charismatic leaders should entail the following components.

---Charismatic leaders are case study driven.  The missionary zeal that charismatic leaders possess necessitates training that point to epic heroes and triumphs in history.  Reportedly, Alexander the Great was influenced by the hero in Homer’s “Iliad.” Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte were believed to have been influenced by Alexander the Great.  Training for aspiring charismatic leaders should tap into their vivid imaginations and great ambitions.  Charismatic leaders do not merely want to excel within an organization; they want to transform the industry.  

---Charismatic leaders have advanced oratorical skills. Amisano spoke about the need for effective communication skills that involved active listening, paraphrasing and motivation.  However, charismatic leaders use advanced oratorical skills, not only to arouse emotions within audiences, but to transform initiatives through direct action by employees. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. might have listened to his Civil Rights cohorts behind closed doors, but his tool for transformation came from his oratorical skills at the podium. Charismatic leaders are well versed at creating imagery that inspires and encourages audiences to achieve a mission.  Leadership training for aspiring charismatic leaders should focus on persuasive speaking.  The ability to speak with passion, clarity, and specificity are the powers that charismatic leaders possess that make them iconic.

-----Charismatic leaders are known for being visionaries.  Actually, charismatic leaders are excellent at dissecting and deciphering inefficiencies within an organization. The visionary traits attributed to charismatic leaders are often a result of compiling facts, critical thinking, and finding solutions to various problems.  The late Steve Jobs of Apple is an excellent example of a charismatic leader’s ability to discover inefficiencies within the marketplace.  By looking at the marketplace and the emerging needs of consumers, Apple’s invention of I-Tunes transformed the music industry into marketing and selling music online differently.  Leadership training for aspiring charismatic leaders should include problem solving exercises that enhance their critical thinking skills. 

Like any leadership development program, curriculum should be created that invigorates and motivates aspiring charismatic leaders to flourish where they exhibit the greatest strengths. By developing leadership training that addresses the visceral aspects of an individual, more leaders will emerge, generally, and more charismatic leaders, specifically.

References:

Amisano, C. (n.d.). Components of leadership training.eHow (Money). Retrieved from: http://www.ehow.com/list_6054344_components-leadership-training.html

For more info., visit: Charisma