Character: What Leaders Need to Succeed in Business
Written by Phil Geldart, Eagle’s Flight CEO
In this continuation of our “8 Principles of Leadership” series, I’ll describe six leadership behaviors that contribute to personal character.
1. Leave It Better
To leave a place better than you found it is to leave your mark on that place. By virtue of your personally having been there, that particular location has been enriched in some fashion. It could be temporary, such as emptying the wastebasket or leaving a thank-you card in a friend’s guest room, or more permanent, such as creating a more effective way to greet customers.
If, after being with you, people leave feeling more encouraged, motivated, or determined, then you have enriched their lives; as a result of their conversation with you, they will leave better than they arrived.
Think about how you can leave something a bit better, and not only about what needs to be done to get it finished.
2. Enrich Others
Given the importance of individuals within an organization, everything that can be done to strengthen, improve, or enrich others needs to be done; and as a result, the value of each individual’s contribution increases. All individuals, and leaders in particular, carry the responsibility for working to improve the relationships they have with others and, if possible, improving the capabilities of those individuals.
This focus can include those for whom we are responsible, those who depend on us downstream of our work, or those upstream on whom we ourselves are dependent. This focus on enriching the lives of others also serves to deepen the culture and power of the organization; it reinforces respect for, and the importance of, each individual.
3. Smile
The majority of issues we deal with are not life-and-death ones, and being relaxed and smiling through them lifts the spirits and increases the ease with which the tasks are accomplished. Even in stressful times, a smile or evidence of good humor is often a welcome break and helps restore perspective. Be committed to making this happen.
Recognize the warmth and well-being created when you smile, and use yours often.
4. Contribute
Giving less than a 100 percent contribution to any task in which you are involved is not an option. Each individual carries an obligation to contribute to the fullest and pay attention to how best to contribute at all times. Your organization does not modify its compensation or investment in individuals based on the degree to which they choose to contribute on a daily basis. Rather, it assumes that the contribution will be in full, and consequently the compensation each pay period is in full. Individuals are morally obligated to give their best and, as a matter of principle, should do so. Others can then rely on that contribution and become maximally effective, with each individual on the team pulling to his or her fullest, rather than partially coasting on the efforts of others.
Be willing to contribute, and look proactively for appropriate ways to do so.
5. Initiative
Initiative is one of the most highly valued qualities within an organization because it gives that organization benefits that it did not realize were available. Individuals who show initiative identify something which, if done, will improve a situation or outcome, and then proactively contribute to achieving it. In doing so, they have demonstrated their commitment and involvement. Initiative should be highly regarded and acknowledged. Demonstrating initiative should be a personal priority we set for ourselves. By showing initiative, you improve both the end product and your relationships with those involved.
6. Tolerance
Once we have recognized the need for tolerance, we then need to decide whether or not we approve of their approach. Tolerance does not mean approval; rather it means understanding or acceptance. If we do not approve of another’s approach to a problem, for example, then clearly it is something we will not support. But tolerance allows us to see that if what’s being proposed is only a different approach, and not blatantly wrong. then we may be able to lend our support to the idea. Learn to distinguish between the things you disapprove of and the areas where you must learn to master tolerance.
Ultimately, when your character shines, you encourage others to perform at their best and develop their own leadership capability. Learn how trust plays a part in our next installment in the 8 Principles of Leadership series.
