Leadership is not an easy task; leadership doesn’t happen just by itself. It requires many competencies such as timely decision making, motivating individual members in the team by helping them in crisis, and the most important ability to lead by example. A team that’s being led by a weak leader will experience disagreements, politics, and spitefulness and will never reach goals of the team. When teams are led by good leaders, they maintain team spirit because the leader participates in the team work and leads by setting example.
When you are told “do as I tell you”, “you are not up to mark,” without listening to you, without understanding your predicament it lets down your morale. When this happens, you lose enthusiasm and goodwill among the staff. It drains energy of people, it disappoints people. Poor leaders suck all good energy of their teammates.
A leadership style refers to a leader’s characteristic: his behavior while directing, motivation style, guiding, and managing their group. Great leaders can inspire positive thinking, innovation, positive movements and social change. They can also motivate others to perform, create, and innovate.
The way Southwest handled 9/11: Southwest is known for its impeccable customer service. In the aviation industry it enjoys its position because of good customer service, Southwest always has put customer service first; no matter what the situation. On the dreadful September 11, 2001, airlines were forced to shut down for days for avoiding more problems. The passengers were shattered and they trying to recover from the abrupt shock. Since all airlines were shut, all airline passengers, flight attendants and pilots were stranded with the planes across the United States. Instead of simply sitting and waiting, Southwest employees were encouraged to take passengers for bowling, sightseeing, for movies to pass the time.
During these tough times, many airlines started cutting jobs in the months following 9/11, because the airline industry had been badly affected, and many airlines were forced to cut their workforce by up to 20 percent. During such tough time, instead of following the trend, Southwest announced within three days after 9/11 that it would keep all of their employees and start a $179.8 million profit-sharing program for employees. Southwest CEO James Parker felt that the foundation of the airlines was built on integrity and sound principles for the past few decades, and at such crucial time he felt that his airline must support the passengers. Parker’s timely decision and action has become a case study.
As you start observing some people whom you consider as great leaders, you at once see that there are immense differences in how each person leads. Natural leaders inspire individuals to do well, contribute to the success of the organization. Born leaders use feedback and role modeling, not as a control mechanism, but to inspire others.
No matter what the situation is, something that mars organization is practicing double standards; witnessing people say one thing, and do something else. This betrays and demoralizes all stakeholders. Deceit is very destructive. It might work for few days, but it soon evaporates peace of mind. If you are in a leadership position, you must be prepared to take responsibility of your team. You cannot run from result of your team whether good or bad.
Why did Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s soldiers fought so hard for him? What if he sat on top of a hill, safe from the battle? Probably he wouldn’t conquer so many battles. He would have been just another average general in our history books, instead of the example of a successful leader that we know today.
Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected President of South Africa. He was the face and leader of the Anti-Apartheid movement, relentlessly fighting against racial discrimination all through his life. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state following the Rivonia Trial. His tremendous focus, determination, and will dismantled the apartheid, making him come out as a hero and lead his country into having an equal and free future.
Jack Welch of General Electric (GE) pushed GE to new heights; he had to turn everything upside down. Everything changed in the organization. He developed the idea of a “boundary-less” organization. This means that everyone is free to brainstorm and think of ideas. Instead of employees waiting for the nod of some higher up and wasting time, they could meet Welch anytime to discuss about their ideas. He wanted his team to turn loose, but he ensured that performance comes first. Everyone from the lowest line worker to senior manager got Jack’s equal attention; if they had something to say about a new idea that could make the company better, Welch would give the person credit. Jack Welch walked his talk. He stayed true to his passions. As a result, GE became an incredibly successful company under his able leadership. His team was always willing to follow his direction, because the people within organization knew that he always kept his word.
Your team enthusiastically works for you if you do what you say. They observe you; they keenly pursue your actions. If you only order things and don’t get involved in the operation, they might not follow you enthusiastically. And, if your actions don’t follow your words, they will suspiciously look at you for everything you tell them. If trust is not present in your group relationships, you may struggle to make meaningful connections. As a leader, avoid damaging trust because once lost, it is difficult to rebuild. Walk your talk.