| Many people will say that knowledge is power. I | | | | growth, and impact on the people more than the |
| disagree. I think applied knowledge is power. With | | | | actual result. Why? Since they are actively |
| that said, let's review the facts (AKA knowledge) | | | | involved in the process, leaders know that they |
| and how our actions can apply this knowledge. | | | | often achieve success while developing and |
| Fact # 1: | | | | engaging the people in the process. Leaders that |
| Leadership is a learned skill. To be effective as a | | | | believe in their people's desire to produce and their |
| leader, one must devote the time and energy to | | | | own ability to guide and mentor the process to |
| learn and develop the skills needed to effective | | | | yield success. |
| lead. | | | | Fact # 3: |
| Leadership Action: | | | | Leaders love to learn to be better leaders. |
| Learn from a leader. For those that strive to | | | | Leaders attend leadership training and focus on |
| become a more effective leader, you need to | | | | leadership skill development. The love to learn |
| figure out where you are going to learn the skills. | | | | from other leaders, social networks, business or |
| Learn from a leader that you have access to on | | | | leadership books or seminars, and executive |
| a frequent basis. Connect with a good boss, | | | | management training programs. |
| religious leader, teacher, coach, mentor, or even a | | | | Leadership Action: |
| parental figure. Connect with anyone that has | | | | Continue to be a better leader. This action |
| influenced or help motivate you. What did they | | | | requires dedication to the leadership development |
| do, how did they do it, and what results did they | | | | process. Leaders need to constantly grow. They |
| achieve? Connect with the actions so you can see | | | | need to learn, read, see, and hear more ways of |
| how and why the results were achieved. This will | | | | becoming effective. They take this knowledge |
| begin to fuel your fire to develop the type of | | | | and experience to develop their own methods of |
| leader you want to be and then test your ability | | | | leadership. This is where mastery comes into the |
| to lead at higher levels. | | | | picture. Regardless of the type of leader, whether |
| Fact # 2: | | | | it is a business leader, political leader, spiritual |
| Leadership is 100% about people. Leaders get | | | | leader, or even a little league baseball coach, |
| people organized and focused. Leaders get people | | | | leadership requires a fearless, confident, and |
| to share a common vision. Leaders allow people | | | | positive attitude that draws people into the |
| to try new things, embrace change, overcome | | | | message and gets them to follow. |
| fear, and step outside their comfort zone. | | | | Use this as a basic outline to help focus your |
| Leadership Action: | | | | efforts on your personal leadership development |
| Focus on people. Leaders see the power of | | | | program. Remember this is a process that takes |
| people as the biggest asset in any situation. | | | | time, dedication, and hard work. Be true to your |
| Leaders that focus on people care more about | | | | passion and desire to move forward, others will |
| the contribution, lessons learned for future | | | | follow and believe in your message as you grow. |