5 Vital Leadership Practices You Need Right Now
Be it among humans or animals, a common, natural pattern is created when a task is at hand: a leader stands out from other individuals, to ensure goals are met through a common direction and interpersonal collaboration.
However, the use of the word ‘leadership’ has considerably broadened over the past decade. It used to focus solely on country leaders and top business executives. The trend has shifted to recognizing anyone who carries a responsibility forward, whether they’re a middle manager or a C-suite executive.
Regardless of its use, leadership is understood globally and essential for any activity or business, profit-oriented or not
What defines a great leader?
To this day, people – regardless of culture – respond positively to effective leadership. There are an infinite number of qualities that can define a great leader. Here are a few examples:
- Honest
- Forward looking
- Inspiring
- Competent
- Respectful
- Trustworthy
- Caring
In 1982, leadership experts Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner carried out research across industries and across cultures, leading to one of the most comprehensive studies of leadership.
To effectively embed these qualities in a leader’s behavior, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have created a framework, with 5 key behavioral actions, called the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®.
Three decades later, the following five principles still stand:
Let’s break it down:
Model the way
- Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared ideals
- Set the example by aligning actions with shared values
Inspire a Shared Vision
- Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities
- Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations
Challenge the Process
- Search for opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovative ways to improve
- Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from experience
Enable Others to Act
- Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships
- Strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence
Encourage the Heart
- Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence
- Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community
Each element can’t work without the other and they all complement each other. It’s a process that needs to be respected, learned and consistently maintained to see real, accurate, long-term results.
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