home | site map | links | about | contact | privacy policy


Ten Steps To Effective Leadership

The Quantum Organization


Many people end up in a supervisory position or SOHO ownership almost by default. In today's workplace, if someone stays on their job long enough, they will probably be promoted as others, more senior to them or higher up the chain of responsibility, leave for other opportunities.

The prevalence of this type of promotion can lead to people with little or no leadership skills being promoted into positions of responsibility.

This type of promotion can have many unexpected and negative effects on the current work force if the newly promoted supervisor is lacking basic leadership talent. Since a supervisor's skill level is visible immediately to those under their stewardship, a lack of leadership aptitude can be catastrophic to the productivity of those now working for the new supervisor.

To help the inexperienced supervisor overcome some of the most common mistakes, the following list has been created from problems culled from a diverse field of industries. By simply avoiding these common errors of the newly promoted supervisors, a person's chances of becoming an effective manager and leader will be greatly enhanced.

Ten Steps To Effective Leadership

  • Don't attempt to be buddies with your employees. The distinction between supervisor and friend needs to be clear-cut and meaningful.
  • Never hesitate to roll up your sleeves to help, if the situation warrants your participation.
  • Ivory tower managers usually are doomed to fail. Make sure not to isolate yourself from those that you directly supervise.
  • No one can know everything, but as a supervisor you need to learn as much as is humanly possible about your department's area of responsibility. Your employees will respect the fact that you know what their job really entails.
  • The ability to treat all of your subordinates fairly will be a critical factor in your success as a supervisor; never play favorites. Always give credit to an employee who is due recognition; never take credit for someone else's initiative.
  • Always take advantage of any opportunity to improve yourself as a supervisor. Seminars, adult education classes, professional certifications, online learning and a myriad of other sources exist just for this purpose.
  • To become adept at conflict resolution is an area the new supervisor must master to be successful. Never loose sight of the fact that there are always two sides to every story. Never make a decision based on just part of the story and you will earn the respect of your employees, even if the resulting decision isn't in their favor.
  • The ability to set meaningful goals will help steer your employees towards the objective you are trying to reach. Realistic goals, with the appropriate tools to reach them, will make everyone feel a part of the department's success.
  • Always solicit input from all of your employees as you plan new strategies to meet today's ever-changing marketplace demands. As long as your employees feel like they have had meaningful input in creating new plans, tweaking old ones and implementing changes, any such endeavor will be more likely to succeed.
  • You are a supervisor, not God! Make sure that you always follow the Golden Rule and your employees will follow.
  • © 2004 ODEC

    Mike Burstein has been helping the SOHO and Small Business community grow & prosper for over 20 years by solving start up problems, creating best practices, automating their offices, getting free publicity and dramatically increasing traffic and sales.

    Leadership is best defined by the quality of your thoughts, decisions and actions. It is also underpinned by the quality of the tools you use in your role. Be seen to bring true leadership to your organization and act with the authority that it brings to you.

    Site Build It! Tools


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Patton Boggs is in negotiations to purchase the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group
    Washington Post
    Patton Boggs LLP, which rang up nearly $40 million in lobbying last year, is in negotiations to purchase the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group, according to ...
    Breaux, Lott in Talks With Patton BoggsThe BLT: Blog of Legal Times

    all 3 news articles »


    School Specialty Announces Executive Leadership Appointment
    CNNMoney.com (press release)
    "I am very pleased that Rick has accepted this critically important leadership role," said David Vander Zanden, School Specialty Chief Executive Officer. ...

    and more »


    Kalana Greene Stepped Up When UConn Needed Leadership
    Hartford Courant
    She did not commit to coming back for a fifth year until very late last season, but she has used the extra season to grow into a leadership role. ...

    and more »


    On the Leadership of the President
    New York Times
    Frank Rich's characterization of President Obama's leadership failures is accurate, but he engages in wishful thinking when he hopes that the president will ...



    TSN

    More from Vince on leadership
    WEEI.com
    “Leadership — we got a bunch of leadership on this team. A lot of guys are not used to seeing young leaders. All the leaders we had was older guys. ...
    Vince Wilfork Unafraid of Increased Leadership RoleNESN.com
    Vince Wilfork is an emerging leader for the New England PatriotsESPN
    Strong words from Vince WilforkBoston Herald
    Providence Journal
    all 155 news articles »


    Reuters

    House Democratic Source on March 18 Deadline "on same page now"
    FOXNews (blog)
    A House Democratic leadership source tells Fox there is something approaching convergence on the White House's March 18 deadline for a vote on the Senate ...
    Hispanic Caucus threat to vote 'no' on healthcareThe Hill
    First thoughts: Spirit of St. Louismsnbc.com

    all 599 news articles »


    Raleigh Public Record

    Reaction To Wake Schools Leadership Shake-up
    MyNC.com
    The state's largest school system has a new acting manager after the Wake County School Board placed Dr. Del ...
    After Burns, should Wake schools look nationwide?WRAL.com

    all 34 news articles »


    Perry appointee McNutt quits another leadership post after trespassing arrest ...
    Dallas Morning News (blog)
    We blogged here a few weeks ago on the man Gov. Rick Perry appointed as chairman of the Texas Commission on the Arts who was arrested after trespassing at ...

    and more »


    Leadership Fort Smith award winners announced
    The City Wire
    Seven individuals have been named recipients of the Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Association's 2010 community leadership awards and will receive their ...

    and more »


    Senate Parliamentarian Joins Health Care Meeting between Bicameral Leadership ...
    FOXNews (blog)
    Alan Frumin, the Senate Parliamentarian, and arguably the most-powerful person now in Washington, has joined a bicameral Democratic leadership conclave in ...


    Google News

    home | site map | links | about | contact | privacy policy

    © 2010 Defintion Of Leadership & Career Consulting Limited
    Powered By CCL WebServices