Leadership Development - The Elements of Relationship Based Leading

Have you ever heard the saying: "You managewill always be less than satisfactory. When it
tasks but you lead people?" If so, then surely youcomes to trust, the secret to earning people's
have found that leading people is a lot moretrust is by trusting them. People follow the
confusing and frustrating and that it is far 'easier'behaviors of others more than their words and
to take the path of least resistance and manageso if you trust other people you are giving them
them. However, what kind of a difference wouldthe perfect example and incentive to trust you in
it make in the results if you could truly learn toreturn.
lead people? If you are looking for the answerFinally, you must be able to show our
then here is how you can begin to lead peopleweaknesses. There is nothing which makes it
based on relationships which inspire action.harder to develop an influential relationship than
First, leading people requires that you understandthe feeling that you are not dealing with a real
who they are and what they want and, mostperson. Acting like an android and masking all of
important, why they want it. Sure, you can tell ayour imperfections is a waste of energy and will
person who you think they are or who theyonly alienate people. Better to be who you are
should be. But if you want their wholeheartedand let other people deal with whether or not
devotion you have to acknowledge and value thethey can handle it.
whole person. You may be able to get someoneAs a leader, you must realize that your followers
to be something which they are not out of merewill develop the capacity to do what they see you
obligation. But in order to achieve true personaldoing. No amount of incentives or punishment can
greatness you must bring out the most naturalchange this, it is a principle of human behavior.
greatness within them.Make these a part of your personal practice and
Second, you must acknowledge the importancesee how it inspires others to respect you and to
of trust. Without trust, everything takes muchfollow your lead.
longer to do and to communicate and the results