LEADERSHIP SKILLS

All I really need to know I learned in

kindergarten.
LESSONS FROM GEESE
 We can learn much from our flying friends
 Fact: as each goose flaps its wings, it creates an
uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V”
formation, each bird gains a 71% greater flying
range.

 Lesson:People who share a common goal can get

where they are going more quickly and easily
when they rely on each other’s support and
strength.
 Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it
suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying
alone. It quickly moves back into formation to
take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in
front of it.

 Lesson:We would work with others who are

headed where we want to go, getting there will
be easier only if we are willing to accept their
help and give our help in return.
 Fact : When the lead goose tires, it moves back
into the formation and allows another goose to
fly to the point position.

 Lesson: It pays to share leadership. People who

are interdependent and recognize each other’s
skills, strengths and unique gifts have a greater
opportunity of reaching their goals.
 Fact
: The geese flying in formation honk to
encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

 Lesson: Productivity is much greater in groups

where there is encouragement. Leaders need to
be encouraged by their followers and followers
need the encouragement of their leaders.
 Fact: When a goose gets sick or wounded, two
geese drop out of formation and follow it down
to help and protect it. They stay with it until it
dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out
with another formation or catch up with their
original flock.

 Lesson : If we have as much sense as geese, we

will stand by each other in difficult times as well
as when we are strong.
THE VALUE OF LEADING

 “Leadership is the very heart and soul of

business management…. WHAT YOU MANAGE
IN BUSINESS IS PEOPLE….

 “The quality of leadership is the single most

important ingredient in the recipe of
business success”
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP

 “Leadership is the art of getting someone

else to do something you want done because
he wants to do it”
LEADERS ARE PEOPLE WHO….
 Through their competence, charisma, vision
and integrity make others want to follow.
 Effectively motivate themselves as well as
uniting others to work together to
accomplish a certain task.
 Are good listeners, are able to work well
within a group, organized, are able to use
logic and reasoning and are able to persuade
others.
 HOW DO YOU
BECOME A LEADER?

 In his play “Twelfth Night” William

Shakespeare wrote, “Some are born great,
some achieve greatness, and some have
greatness thrust upon them.”
KINDS OF LEADERSHIP
 Appointed Leader: If a person or a group of
people with the power to do so select you to
a position of authority, you are an appointed
leader.
A business manager is hired or promoted by the
CEO or the owner of the business.
 The Leader of a class discussion group may be
selected by the teacher.
 The principal of a school is chosen by a hiring
committee.
 All of these individuals are appointed
leaders.
 Elected Leader: Elected leaders are chosen
thorough a vote.
 The president of the United States.
 A Union Representative.
 The members of the student government at a
college.
 All these are elected to their positions of
leadership.
 Emerged Leader: Because of their ability and
personality some leaders, rather than being
formally chosen emerge naturally. Others
look to these individuals for guidance
whether or not they have a formal title or
any real authority.
 The best student is often asked for help or
expected to take charge on group projects.
 In business, the people who dot he finest work
tend to garner more respect than their peers.
TYPES OF LEADERS
 Democratic Leader:
 He provides direction but allows followers to
determine the best way to achieve goals.
 He solicits input from group members, shares
power, seeks consensus, and motivates group
members to seek self – direction and self –
actualization.
 This style of leadership is most appropriate when
there is plenty of time available to make
decisions and when all members have
approximately the same level of knowledge or
expertise.
 Authoritarian Leader:
 When one person is in charge of the group and
makes all the decisions without consulting the
members of the group, he or she is an
authoritarian leader.
 This style of leadership is best when there is an
emergency and it is necessary for the person
with the most knowledge and expertise to take
control.
 Also appropriate when group members remain
unmotivated and unfocused despite efforts to
accomplish goals in a democratic manner.
 Laissez Faire Leader:
 This term is used to describe the economic
philosophy of LIMITED GOVERNMENT
INTERVENTION, the term means “to let people
do as they choose.”
 These leaders adopt a hands – off style by
providing minimal direction and authority.
 They answer questions, but only when a group
member actively seeks out the leader’s advice.
 This type of leadership is least effective for
accomplishing group goals, because the group
has no focus or direction.
 The leader is seen as completely nonthreatening.
 The only time this style is preferred is in social
situations.
 At a party, the host might make some minimal
preparations but then leave the guests alone to enjoy
themselves unless asked for something specifically by
one of the guests such as a drink refill or directions to
the restroom.
 The best leader is one who knows how and
when to apply each style of leadership.
 A high school principal would be expected to
demonstrate
The authoritarian style during a fire drill.
The democratic style at a teacher’s meeting
and
The laissez faire style while chaperoning a
school dance.
 QUALITIES OF EFFECTIVE
LEADERS
 Effective Leaders have a vision.
 In 1978 childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry
Greenfield opened an ice cream shop in a
renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont.
Since then, Ben and Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream
has expanded into one of the largest and best-
known brands in the world.
 Effective Leaders are willing to Act.
 Itis not enough to simply have a vision. You must
also work to make that vision a reality. Nolan
Bushell, the founder of Atari says “A lot of people
have ideas, but there are few who decide to do
something about them.”
LOTTERY TICKET STORY
 There is an old joke about a man who is so
poor he prays to God to allow him to win the
lottery. He continues to ask God every night
for a year that he would have the winning
ticket. Finally after a year he becomes
frustrated, falls to his knees and prays, “I’ve
prayed every night for a year to win the
lottery, yet you have ignored my pleas.”
Suddenly a big voice booms from the sky,
“I’ve heard your prayers, but give me a
break. The least you could do is buy a lottery
ticket!”
 Effective Leaders Treat Different People
Differently.
 Noteveryone learns the same way or is
motivated in the same way. Effective leaders
realize this and treat their followers differently.
 Effective Leaders make good decisions.
 To make good decisions, you must be prepared,
knowledgeable about the issues and the people
involved, able to prioritize and aware of the
risks.
 Effective Leaders take risks.
 “The people who are really failures are the
people who set their standards so low, keep the
bar at such a safe level, that they never run the
risk of failure”
 Henry Ford went broke five times before he
found success.
 Abraham Lincoln lost five elections before he
finally became President.
 Charles Darrow’s idea for a board game was
initially rejected by Parker Brothers, who cited “52
fundamental errors” with the game. Eventually,
Parker Brothers changed their minds and Monopoly
went on to become the most popular board game
ever.
 Thomas Edison tired over ten thousand different
experiments before he finally demonstrated the
first incandescent light bulb on October 21, 1879.
when asked if he was frustrated by his failures, he
replied, “I have not failed. “I’ve not just found 10k
ways that wont work.”
 An Effective Leader makes Sacrifices.
 “The first responsibility of a leader is to define
reality. The last is to say thank you. In between,
the leader is a servant.”
 Alexander the Great, Macedonian conqueror of
Asia, slept on the ground with his troops, refused
to eat if there was no food for his men. He
realized his followers would not respect him if he
put himself above them and asked for
preferential treatment.
 Mother Teresa is know as one of the greatest
religious leaders of all time, yet she lived in
poverty and spent her life caring for others.