What is Good Leadership?

As an HR professional and forever learner, I always want to be a better and stronger leader. I want to provide guidance and mentorship. I want to cultivate relationships to learn with and learn from others. I want to create a safe space, both physically and psychologically. I think leadership sets the tone in every relationship, both personally and professionally.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word lead is a verb and has a few meanings: (1) to guide on a way especially by going in advance of; (2) to direct on a course or in a direction; (3) to direct the operations, activity, or performance; (4) to have charge of.

In taking the verb to create the noun, leadership, there were so many definitions it became a little overwhelming. I decided to go with the definition that described someone I would follow…

I work with many leaders. Seasoned leaders at executive levels who share their journey of ups and downs; their successes and failures. I also work with leaders that are just beginning their experience and seeking to understand their own style and approach.

I am sure many of you have participated in an activity and shared words & characteristic to describe your ideal leader, someone you could follow. Using some of the most popular words, here is a word cloud to describe an ideal leader.

Over the past week or so, I have been thinking a lot about leadership. I believe that a good leader leads by example. I think a good leader takes ownership of whatever they lead (their team, their department, their organization, their company, their country). If something fails, it’s on the leader to take a stand and own that failure. I don’t think a leader has to know everything and have all the answers, but a good leader will keep smart people around who can help find the answers to those questions. I believe a good leader will have people around that look and think differently. A good leader needs to have varying points of view so they can talk and strategize through all impact of decisions.

Leadership is important as most individuals want someone they can follow. They want to believe in a vision that they can relate to and help bring to life. A good leader can articulate that vision and help others to achieve a common goal that all can be proud of.

I will end with this quote on leadership by Douglas McArthur. “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He/she does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his/her actions and the integrity of his/her intent.”

#myworldmywords #mythoughtsmywords