A leader usually refered to an authority figure. History is full of authoritarian leaders who held all of the power and decisions. This definition was held up to the 19th century when the term leadership was created. The popular view of leadership revolved around the leader with ability, behaviors, styles, and charisma. When we turn on our electronic tools, we see multitudes of examples that describe a self-centered leader. http://nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/lead_edu.html
John Dickson from Leadership Journal claims that humility is a vital part of leadership and needs to come back into play. Jesus death on the cross is a perfect example of humility. He was so humble, he willingly took on all our sin and shame before the world. http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/winter/greathumility.html
Our culture admires humble leaders. The most famous and wise leaders in our history are remembered for thier humbleness among other attributes. While we admire others who choose to be humble, pride pushes us to claim society's definition of an honorable leader; someone who achieves greatness through their good actions. Christ's definition of leadership is more of a servant who desires to glorify Christ by seeking his direction then serving others.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
What is the relationship between a leader, a manager, and a follower?
The Performance Juxtaposition site describes management as focusing on the conceptual side of the business. Although, they are planning, organizing, and budgeting; they do not control people or the followers. Instead, managers are implementing the most valuable resources, people, towards teh goals and tasks to be accomplished. http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/LMCC.html
Covey describes leadership as dealing with direction. He states that leadership is the most important element in the trio because the direction the company takes is a huge key to success. While management is working with speed, the leader is making sure the entire business is moving in the right direction. The servant leader holds the vision as a banner in front of the managers and followers. The managers are organizing and placing human resources within the structured framework to achieve results. https://www.stephencovey.com/community/
The followers are on the same level of importance as the managers and close behind the leaders. They are the ones who produce the product or service to accomplish the visionary goals. The leaders, managers, and followers are linked together by a common vision. If any of these links are marred or broken, weakness creeps in and the company will collapse.
Covey describes leadership as dealing with direction. He states that leadership is the most important element in the trio because the direction the company takes is a huge key to success. While management is working with speed, the leader is making sure the entire business is moving in the right direction. The servant leader holds the vision as a banner in front of the managers and followers. The managers are organizing and placing human resources within the structured framework to achieve results. https://www.stephencovey.com/community/
The followers are on the same level of importance as the managers and close behind the leaders. They are the ones who produce the product or service to accomplish the visionary goals. The leaders, managers, and followers are linked together by a common vision. If any of these links are marred or broken, weakness creeps in and the company will collapse.
How are we all in this together?
A wise person in the position of leadership is continuallly using and developing the human resources. The wise leaders know that people are the company's most valuable asset. Both parties must realize the importance of working as a team. A vital piece of teamwork is communication and understanding.
Leaders and employees must have an understanding of each other and the company's mission. There needs to be a vision of where the company is going. This vision must be shared with everyone within the company. When goals toward the vision are achieved, every person in the company shares in the celebration. http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
Working as a team happens as the team members make it a point to humbly serve each other. Robert K. Greenleaf describes a true leader as "servant first" and begins as this leader models to the company servant leadership. A servant leader who is servant first seeks to "make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served." When a servant leader humbly serves other people, that leader will truly care for their needs above the company's. The company will achieve success from the humble servants within. http://www.greenleaf.org/
Leaders and employees must have an understanding of each other and the company's mission. There needs to be a vision of where the company is going. This vision must be shared with everyone within the company. When goals toward the vision are achieved, every person in the company shares in the celebration. http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
Working as a team happens as the team members make it a point to humbly serve each other. Robert K. Greenleaf describes a true leader as "servant first" and begins as this leader models to the company servant leadership. A servant leader who is servant first seeks to "make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served." When a servant leader humbly serves other people, that leader will truly care for their needs above the company's. The company will achieve success from the humble servants within. http://www.greenleaf.org/
Can anyone be a leader?
Yes, anyone can be a leader. Whether they are a good leader or a poor leader depends on the choices they make as they are in the leadership position. Being a leader is a serious responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Hebrew's speaks of leaders having to give an account of their leadership to God. "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account" Hebrews 13:17 (NIV).
A poor leader is looking out for him or herself and views the employees as only a "part of the wheel." The employees are merely tools that can be replaced if their work is unsatisfactory. A self-centered leader increases productivity with demands and threats.
A wise leader sees people as the highest value in the company. This leader reaches into his followers to draw out their gifts and talents. People are the "programmers" as Covey calls them. They produce and create. It is important that these valuable resources are healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
https://www.stephencovey.com/community/
A poor leader is looking out for him or herself and views the employees as only a "part of the wheel." The employees are merely tools that can be replaced if their work is unsatisfactory. A self-centered leader increases productivity with demands and threats.
A wise leader sees people as the highest value in the company. This leader reaches into his followers to draw out their gifts and talents. People are the "programmers" as Covey calls them. They produce and create. It is important that these valuable resources are healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
https://www.stephencovey.com/community/
Are leaders born or made?
Leaders can be born and made. As a Christian, I believe God creates everyone to be a leader in some way whether large or small. Based on personalities and temperments, certain people may have been created to hold more responsibility in a leadership position.
Believing that leaders are made can be dangerous according to Ronald E. Riggio (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201012/are-leaders-born-or-made-why-the-question-itself-is-dangerous). His caution aims at executives, believing that leaders are made, do not pursue leadership development for his staff. Instead, these executives are looking for outside qualities and not inner talent.
According to Stephen Covey, people choose whether they want to be a leader or not. It is a choice; a decision to step up and take control of their life in a healthy manner. Covey reminds us not to be a result of negative life circumstances, but to react positively. When we choose our response, we are being proactive and strengthening our self-awareness. (https://www.stephencovey.com/community/)
Believing that leaders are made can be dangerous according to Ronald E. Riggio (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201012/are-leaders-born-or-made-why-the-question-itself-is-dangerous). His caution aims at executives, believing that leaders are made, do not pursue leadership development for his staff. Instead, these executives are looking for outside qualities and not inner talent.
According to Stephen Covey, people choose whether they want to be a leader or not. It is a choice; a decision to step up and take control of their life in a healthy manner. Covey reminds us not to be a result of negative life circumstances, but to react positively. When we choose our response, we are being proactive and strengthening our self-awareness. (https://www.stephencovey.com/community/)
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