Leadership Development

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool.
Shun him.

He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is simple.
Teach him.

He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep.
Waken him.

He who knows, and knows that he knows is wise.
Follow him.

Arabian Proverb

At the ground level leadership is all about relationships - growing connections among and between individuals that permit collective, collaborative thinking and action.

A leader motivates and joins forces of personnel to articulate a common vision and set goals using material assets in support to conceive and implement plans of action.

Effective leaders create environments where people want to share their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. Effective leaders nurture new ideas to flourish from a foundation of tradition in learning and teaching through success and also in failure and all for the common good.

Sometimes leaders can be very uncomfortable to be around because they force us to examine our underlying assumptions about who we are, individually and collectively.

At the same time, as we meet head-on the increasingly complex challenges of 21st century life and business, effective leaders and the people they draw strength from through collaboration are the cornerstones of innovation and progress.

There are generally 11 principles of leadership which allows people to set a standard of excellence for other to follow:

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement. In order to know yourself, you have to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Self-improvement means to continually strengthening your weaknesses.
2. Be technically proficient. As a leader, you must know your job and have a solid familiarity with your employees’ jobs.
3. Set the standard. Be a role model for other to follow. They must not only hear you, they must see and do as you.
4. Know your people as you know yourself and look out for their well being. Know human nature and the importance of genuine caring for those you lead.
5. Ensure that tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
6. Develop your people. Continuously assist to raise their levels of personal and professional achievement.
7. Train as a team. Seek out the teams weaknesses and build upon these.
8. Use the team to its fullest capacity. Develop team spirit, and ensure team successes are honored as team achievements - not simply the leader’s achievement.
9. Keep your people informed. Communication makes or (lack there of) breaks an organization.
10. Make sound and timely decisions. Problem-solving is about decisive decision-making and always turning disadvantage to advantage.
11. Seek responsibility and be accountable for your actions. Search for ways to guide your organization to new heights. In times of unexpected outcomes, step up, analyze the situation, take corrective action, and move on to the next challenge.