Life experiences shape a Leader.
This subject runs rampant on Linkedin so I thought I would join in with the vocals. I wanted to add my 2 cents- for what it’s worth.
Being a great leader is something you can’t teach someone in my opinion. I believe it begins with your core values. If you believe that family comes first, you’re going to treat your employees like family. Emphasis within your organization will be family oriented.
Allowing without guilting a parent to stay home with their sick child alleviates stress on the employee.
If an organization places more value on showing up and doesn’t care why you may not be able to come into work, their core value would be the commitment to the organization first, not your family.
This is one example of many to keep in mind if your searching for a job. Remember, when interviewing for a new job it’s also important to interview your prospective leader-boss and company practices.
How do you detect a good leader?
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
- Be specific when inquiring about Company policies
- Be honest with your prospective employer, in other words if you find it important to be home with an ill child be specific. A secure leader will be honest and up front with you when it comes to time missed.
- Meet your fellow co-workers in advance. If they seem genuinely happy that’s another indicator they are working in a positive environment.
It’s been my experience that many great leaders have great qualities because they have been where you are, and never forgot what it’s like to be in a non- leadership role. Many great leaders have diverse life experiences which allow them to be a bit more open-minded.
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. — Jack Welch
A good leader will encourage and stimulate your growth; a poor leader will stifle your growth.
A good leader understands that life gets in the way from time to time. A good leader will find ways to help you through those rough times without making you feel as though you’re a failure.
Determine your own core values before accepting a job, because your core values are what guide you. Make sure your values are fairly consistent with the Companies values as well.
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. — Warren Bennis
Please feel free to add your comments. What do you feel defines a great leader? What have you experienced that made you aware you were being led by someone who lacked great leadership skills? I once had a very passive- aggressive boss who was not capable of leading by example. This boss was never a team player- quite the opposite.. this bosses approach was to pit one employee against another. That’s not leadership, it’s cowardice. This boss was never wrong- at least in her own mind. Can we say red flag?!
Originally posted on Linkedin
Originally published at medium.com