{"id":95,"date":"2012-10-24T11:21:43","date_gmt":"2012-10-24T19:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encouragement.com\/blog\/?p=95"},"modified":"2012-10-24T11:21:43","modified_gmt":"2012-10-24T19:21:43","slug":"what-do-i-do-and-how-do-i-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=95","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWhat do I do, and how do I do it?\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The High Points Survey on Leadership showed that a lot of people have a lot of different questions about applying and using leadership skills in the workplace. The common denominator to a wide group of broad ranging questions seems to be an interest in self-evaluation, while identifying specific ways to modify behaviors to become more effective as a leader.<\/p>\n<p>This question, taken from one of the respondents, sums it up, \u201cHow can I start to behave like a leader?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Before I answer that, I\u2019d like to acknowledge the obvious \u2026 leaders behave in widely differing ways. And unfortunately, we\u2019re painfully aware when leaders act badly. So I\u2019d like to slightly restate this question as such, \u201cHow can I act in a way that enhances my credibility and influence with others?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked that way, I believe there are five definite steps to improve your ability to lead:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1) Work on your character.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What people want most is a leader with integrity. Don\u2019t break your promises. Don\u2019t be careless with the truth or your relationships. Remember, no matter who you are or how hard you try to be your best, you will have some people who\u2019ll become adversaries \u2013 they\u2019ll attack you personally or professionally, either out in the open, or behind your back. Just make sure they don\u2019t have any basis on which to do so. By doing the right things, you\u2019ll make sure the truth is on your side.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2) Establish high standards and a strong, everyday work ethic.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Leaders apply their efforts with diligence and purpose. They are committed to their tasks, and supportive of the mission of the organization. They make advancements, not retreat. They don\u2019t just come to work, they \u2018Come To Work.\u2019 They hold themselves accountable to high personal standards, not to bare minimums. Earning your influence comes through a regime of daily discipline.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3) Emphasize personal growth and learning.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not talking about the 9 to 5. I\u2019m talking about the things you add to your day beyond the boundaries of your work hours. Leaders who accomplish the most are committed to personal growth in every aspect of their lives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4) Have an \u2018Accomplishment Agenda.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In my view, leadership isn\u2019t about climbing the ladder, so you can sit in a nice chair and have a title on your business card \u2013 it\u2019s about getting something done. Something that\u2019s important to the organization, society, your peers, your family, yourself. It\u2019s about making something come true, happen, become real. Measure leaders by their ability to accomplish something of significance \u2013 that\u2019s the true measure of a person\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5) Make it a habit to involve others.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is not last, and not least. Leaders do more than they can do by themselves. They enlist the helping hands and willing spirits of others. Connect with people by paying attention to them, getting to know them, encouraging them, showing them new possibilities, and paving the way for progress.<\/p>\n<p>Acting like a leader is a big responsibility. When people experience you as a person of substance, your style will be affected in a positive direction. The net effect is a gain in credibility, which will improve your influence and effectiveness.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013\u00a0Jerry Strom<\/p>\n<p>For more information about our leadership development programs, please visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.JerryStrom.com\">http:\/\/www.JerryStrom.com<\/a> . Join the mailing list to receive notice of new articles automatically.<\/p>\n<p>This article is based on *\u2018The High Points Survey: What Managers Most Want to Know about Leadership,\u2019 copyright 2012, by Jerry Strom &amp; Company, Inc. Download the White Paper at: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jerrystrom.com\/js_high-points.html\">http:\/\/www.jerrystrom.com\/js_high-points.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The High Points Survey on Leadership showed that a lot of people have a lot of different questions about applying and using leadership skills in the workplace. The common denominator to a wide group of broad ranging questions seems to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=95\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-leadership-articles"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>\u201cWhat do I do, and how do I do it?\u201d - Encouragement for Leaders<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/encouragement.com\/wordpress\/?p=95\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u201cWhat do I do, and how do I do it?\u201d - Encouragement for Leaders\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The High Points Survey on Leadership showed that a lot of people have a lot of different questions about applying and using leadership skills in the workplace. 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