How would you define your leadership style

How would you define your leadership style?

Leadership can be such a nebulous subject. There are many ways to define it and describe it but after all is said and done leadership is not a position but a mindset, a philosophy and a set of attitudes.  Leaders are everywhere and in every type of business and then there are those businesses that seem to be void of any degree of effective leadership in the management ranks.  These organizations tend to be stuck in a heavy micro-management or old and outdated approach to growing an organization profitably.

Entire books have been written on this simple yet complex subject.  There are five day seminars on leadership that just scratch the surface and there are more management gurus than we could ever need everywhere you look theses days.  If all of these are true, then why are there organizations that lack a clear and focused leadership style?  One word folks, arrogance.

We all have personal blind spots, those traits that we have or don’t have or think we have when we don’t.  A blind spot is nothing more than blurred vision when it comes to viewing reality.  Want to know what kind of a leader you are, just ask your employees.  But why wait?  Why not a little introspection or self-analysis before any of your leadership flaws takes their toll on the future success, health and wealth of your business.

Your management style regardless of how you would describe or define it is the driving force in your business.  If you are failing, look in the mirror.  If you are succeeding, look in the mirror but don’t take the credit.  If you are uncertain as to what to do next or what direction to head do you think this might be having a direct impact on your employee’s performance and productivity?  If you are losing money, look in the mirror and if profits are off the chart, look in the mirror, but again don’t take the credit.

Leadership is not about things but people, not about activities but vision not about results but focus and not about money but service.  Leadership ultimately will define you as a manager not your ability to recruit, coach, train or any other management role.  Leadership is why you are doing what you are doing and not how.  It is about why people follow you and not what they do.  It is about sharing a dream and not counting pennies or looking over people’s shoulders every minute of every day.

I’ll leave you with a few simple questions.  Is your leadership style trusting and empowering?  Is it showing people the path ahead and inspiring them to follow it even if they don’t know where it leads?  Is it grounded in integrity and openness?  And, is it allowing employees to utilize their talent, ability, skills and attitudes in everyone’s best interests?