Kevin Vincent
Managing director of Vincent Consulting
www.vincentconsulting.co.nz
Leadership, communication and innovation are intrinsically linked in successful companies.
Leadership is a word we hear often, but we don’t really stop to think about what it is and why it is so important. The fact is that leadership is the single most sought after trait in the business world today. Leadership and learning are interlinked – you can’t have one without the other.
Successful leadership is making the difference between extreme success and unnecessary failure. It underlies everything that we strive to accomplish, from motivating employees to excel beyond their self imposed limits, to inspiring shareholders who seek confirmation of their confidence in skills of your company and its management.
Leadership is not something that we are born with. Sure, some people exude confidence and charisma along with the gift of the gab, but they got there through understanding the intricacies of leadership.
Leadership involves the guidance of the conduct of others and leaders need to be more effective than others in conveying meanings and intentions, and in receiving them. It is an important maxim that all leaders must be realists and recognise the need for action, even when that action is not so apparent or can’t be foreseen.
Inspired leaders know what they want and how they are going to get it, they motivate people, they can manage information and knowledge, and they know what it means to them and their business. Truly inspired leadership comes from being motivated, dedicated and honest.
We’ve all heard the saying ‘walk the talk’. This is true and is essential. In addition, trust, respect, and a willingness to adapt a common purpose must become a self disciplining code of everyday working life.
Time seems shorter. Technology is faster and staff are smarter. Together, we always need to be one step ahead to keep leading people to the next plateau of success. So where do we start. Are we ready to take up the challenge of competing with others in leading business?
Leadership is not a job title, it is an expression of who you are and your values. Be encouraged to take that all important stride forward with confidence, knowledge, commitment and with winning attitudes.
Jack Welch of GE had six rules for leaders and here they are:
1) Face reality as it is not as it was or as you wish it to be.
2) Be candid with everyone.
3) Don’t manage, lead.
4) Change before you have to. 5. If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.
6) Control your own destiny.
