| To everyone reading this article I encourage you | | | | me to define accessible and down to earth? The |
| to think about the people in your organization who | | | | great leaders allow you to come into your fullness |
| is leading you. Now that you have thought about | | | | as a leader, they insist on you becoming the best |
| the people in leadership positions in your | | | | leader you can be and provide teachable |
| organization, do you believe they are influencing | | | | moments for you to gain experience in leadership |
| you? | | | | roles. |
| I know my aforementioned question put you to | | | | For example, while assigned to the Pentagon a |
| task, however I made it as simplistic as possible. | | | | general officer which has the rank of one star |
| If your leadership is influencing your work, | | | | and above, can do but some much in one day. |
| productivity and or future for a better career, | | | | There are but so many meetings they can attend |
| congratulations. | | | | on any given day. |
| More importantly, if your leadership is assisting | | | | While working on the budget for my organization, |
| you in become a leader, then they are definitely | | | | my role was to develop the budget, prepare the |
| exhibiting excellent leadership skills. Why? | | | | general for his meeting so we could negotiate the |
| A good leader is adept at placing their stamp of | | | | funding for over 100,000 military personnel. On |
| approval on delegation. What does this mean? | | | | several occasions the general I worked for could |
| A good leader is not afraid to give employees the | | | | not attend the budget review meetings, thus I |
| latitude to make decisions for themselves, | | | | was called upon to attend the meetings on his |
| because they are comfortable with the team | | | | behalf. |
| they have assembled. The end result is a happier | | | | The budget review meetings were attended by all |
| workplace because all members of the team | | | | general officers and the first day I attended a |
| have bought in and have a say in how they | | | | meeting on behalf of the general I worked for, I |
| achieve their mission and goals. | | | | was informed I could not attend, that was until I |
| Leaders are great when subordinates are able to | | | | informed the meeting managers I was ordered |
| truly express themselves in the workplace and | | | | by my leadership to attend on behalf of the |
| not have to worry about whether they did a | | | | general I worked for. |
| good job or not, because they have been | | | | At the time, I was a major in the United States |
| empowered by leadership. Over my 20 year | | | | Air Force and the general I worked for was a |
| career as a military officer, I led personnel and | | | | great leader. He was great because he was a |
| managed multi-billion dollar acquisition programs for | | | | leader of influence. His message to me was this, |
| the United States Air Force. | | | | you have the capability to do what I do and I |
| Today I can readily pinpoint the good as well as | | | | want you to attend the budget review meetings |
| great military leaders I worked for. The great | | | | with all of he Pentagon generals because you |
| leaders were always the ones that were | | | | know what you are doing and I have confidence |
| accessible and you could go to them for advance | | | | in you and your abilities. |
| and they were intelligent and down to earth.ant | | | | |