| There is no such thing as a "Born Leader". When | | | | one that gives them a clear sense of direction |
| people talk about born leaders, what they are | | | | and a strong vision of the future. |
| really referencing is the "X" factor of leadership. | | | | Ask your self these questions to determine if you |
| What is the "X" factor? Simply stated the "X" | | | | or other managers in your organization have the |
| factor is the willingness, the desire and the | | | | "X" factor. |
| willpower to become an effective leader. | | | | 1. How well do you know yourself with regard to |
| Effective leaders go through a never ending | | | | self improvement and development? |
| development process that includes education, self | | | | 2. Do you understand, admit and work on |
| study, training, experience and coaching and | | | | personal weaknesses? |
| mentoring from one or several individuals that | | | | 3. Do you seek responsibility and take |
| have a very positive influence on their personal | | | | responsibility for your actions striving to reach |
| development. Leadership is the ability to influence, | | | | new heights. |
| inspire and motivate others to accomplish specific | | | | 4. When things go wrong do you take the blame |
| objectives. It includes creating a culture that helps | | | | instead of looking for others to blame. |
| direct the organization in such a way that it | | | | 5. Does problem solving, decision making and |
| makes it cohesive and coherent keeping short | | | | planning come natural to you? |
| term tactical goals and objectives in alignment | | | | 6. Are you a good role model and do you seek |
| with long term strategic initiatives. The success of | | | | out employees with high potential to coach and |
| leadership in this process is directly influenced by | | | | mentor? |
| the individual leaders' beliefs, values, ethics, | | | | 7. Do you truly believe in the value of your |
| character, knowledge and skills. | | | | employees sincerely caring about their well being |
| Position and title may give you power but power | | | | without being so compassionate that it clouds |
| in itself does not make you an effective leader. | | | | your judgment on competence? |
| To become an effective leader there are specific | | | | So you believe you and your executive team all |
| skill sets that you must understand and master. | | | | have the "X" factor. As effective leaders you |
| This does not come naturally. It takes dedication, | | | | must be able to interact with employees, peers, |
| passion and commitment to the process. That | | | | seniors and many other individuals both inside and |
| commitment, dedication and passion includes a | | | | outside the organization. You must gain the |
| tireless effort to improve on specific skills and the | | | | support of many people if you are going to meet |
| development of a personal leadership | | | | or exceed established objectives. This means that |
| methodology. This is often referred to as your | | | | you must develop or possess a unique |
| personal leadership model. | | | | understanding of people. The "X" factor is the |
| If someone were to ask your subordinates to | | | | driving force that will help you develop these skills. |
| evaluate your leadership abilities, their response to | | | | Human nature is the common qualities of all |
| this question would likely not be related to your | | | | human beings. People behave according to certain |
| character, integrity and values. Of course these | | | | principles of human nature. Understand these |
| are important to your success as a leader but | | | | principles that govern our behavior and success is |
| people evaluate your leadership skills based on | | | | imminent. Start with the basics by revisiting your |
| what you do to figure out who you really are. | | | | college study of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. |
| They are looking for that "X" factor. The "X" | | | | Armed with a refresher of this basic knowledge |
| factor is what really determines if you are honest, | | | | of human behavior you can now begin to reshape |
| ethical, fair, trust worthy and not self serving. If | | | | your personal leadership model. This is your |
| the "X" factor does not exist, employees are | | | | manner and approach to providing direction, |
| likely to obey rather than follow and only do | | | | implementing plans and motivating people. If you |
| exactly what they are told to do and nothing | | | | have that "X" factor you can become a very |
| more. If the "X" factor does not exist, your | | | | effective leader. But remember, There is no such |
| success in developing the skills necessary to | | | | thing as a "Born Leader". Effective leaders go |
| become an effective leader is likely to be minimal. | | | | through a never ending development process. We |
| The "X" factor shapes what and who you are as | | | | never stop learning and we never stop growing. |
| a leader. It involves everything you do and it | | | | Keep working on your leadership model and share |
| affects the well being of the organization. | | | | your knowledge and success with other potential |
| Employees want to follow a leader they respect, | | | | future stars that have the "X" factor. |