Tag: SALT

Leading Personalities…Choleric

Most scholars recognize four basic personalities: Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholy and Phlegmatic. We can have all the classic traits of one or be a healthy or annoying combination. Knowing someone’s basic personality traits helps us better understand how to lead.

Someone who is Choleric is motivated to get things done even if they have to do it themselves. They struggle with delegating and can be hard to deal with, thinking they can do it better.

If mixed with another type they can warm up and be the best worker. Do we know anyone like this? Are we leading by helping someone be better at what they do?

Think leadership!

A Lesson in Leadership

Some of the greatest thoughts on leadership have come from some of the most amazing people in my life.

Our oldest son, Rob, once said, “When we don’t understand the LESSON at the right time, life makes us understand the same LESSONS at the wrong time.”

The thought holds such merit when it comes to leadership. When we do not understand the lesson at the right time, we find ourselves dealing with them at the wrong time.

To be sure, the lesson here is to pay attention and learn it right the first time around. When we do, our leadership influence grows.

Inspiring Leadership

Biblically, we know that God inspired the authors of the Old and New Testaments to write with accuracy the words penned throughout each book and letter.

God did not remove the style, history, or culture of each person. He ensured that what was written was accurate and complete.

Although they are not inspired, leaders today should consider how they can inspire others to reach their potential.

Our son, Chase, once said, “You don’t have to be inspired to be inspiring.” With a little effort, each of us can achieve so much for the cause of our Lord and inspire others along the way.

Transparency

Transparency is a vital component to making things happen. A Forbes article identifies what happens when leaders are transparent.

  1. Problems are solved faster.
  2. Teams are built easier.
  3. Relationships grow authentically.
  4. People begin to promote trust in their leader.
  5. Higher levels of performance emerge.

Based on these five areas, transparency enables followers to understand and assist leadership in ways that move an organization forward to greater achievements.

How can leaders become more transparent in their leadership? Start with communication.

The time invested to produce a system of solid communication raises transparency and its benefits.

Adding Value

What kind of value is needed to enhance our ability to lead?
How can we add the greatest value to our leadership?
Why does adding value mark the difference in long-term development?

The value needed to enhance our ability to lead involves respect. Value is added to our leadership over time and by demonstrating integrity during critical decisions.

The reason this value marks the difference in long-term development is because respect is elicited as a result of a leader’s abilities and achievements.

Respect is one value that when added to leadership changes the power of our leadership.

A Snapshot of Leadership

A snapshot is an informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera, more recently with our phone. How does this relate to leadership?

Formal moments in our leadership are characterized by the pomp and circumstance of following a predetermined path. We practice what we say to ensure we cross every “t” and dot every “i.”

Informally, we let our guard down. In these moments our true self springs forth and those who see us take a snapshot of who we really are.

These snapshots are the most important to our leadership influence. What kind of snapshot are others taking?

Changing the World

Love, humility, and charity, are qualities that increase a leader’s influence.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and in all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity.”

The way leaders approach life can change the world. Mrs. Roosevelt’s thoughts provide a good compass for how we bring about that change.

Counting the Cost

Counting the cost when leading others can be a daunting task.

One of the most pressing thoughts among these questions involves having enough to finish well.

Do we have enough resources to achieve the goal?
Do we have enough staff to implement the plans to achieve the goal?
Do we have enough time to complete the job?

Having enough resources, staff, and time are only three components that require our attention when setting goals, establishing plans, and implementing both to produce growth.

An Invoice

An invoice serves several purposes for both the one writing the invoice and the one receiving it. What is interesting is how the idea of an invoice also factors into areas of leadership.

An invoice communicates information about services rendered and materials purchased.

An invoice serves as a point of reference for both parties and allows future access to all information.

An invoice also represents an agreement, contract, or commitment for each person identified.

If leaders communicate information (vision, goals, plans, etc.) as a point of reference, imagine the impact and commitment it would generate.

Precision

When leadership is characterized by accuracy, decisions and actions specify what must be done.

Leaders who pursue correctness, ensure others that what is being done is “right.”

Exactness demonstrates their leadership is precise.

A meticulous leader distinguishes themselves by paying attention to details.

When we examine our character each day, let us focus on being precise.

Developing precision in our leadership can be as simple as pinpointing what must be done, determining to do it right, exacting preciseness, and paying attention to the details.