- Nov 17, 2008
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To Whom It May Concern:
A Responsible Leader
Main Entry: management
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: persons running an organization
Synonyms: Leadership, administration, authority, management, director, supervisor, person in charge, person responsible, captain of the ship, leader of the pack, CEO,….. owner.
The leader is responsible for the success or failure of his/her organization or department, and that fact alone, can either motivate or de-motivate your team players. If you take the responsibility that the buck stops with you, your people will be motivated by that fact, and have respect and loyalty to you. But if you don’t, the morale in your organization will surely fail. Your people will become cynical about your ability to lead them successfully.
In other words, responsible leadership will affect the morale, drive, confidence and motivation of your people.
The point to make is: Don’t pass the buck for taking the responsibility for something bad that’s happened in your organization. The leader is responsible for what takes place in the ranks. In other words, the one who leads the band, must face the music. Don’t try and shift the blame. “Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility…In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take responsibility”.
And so the application is quite simple: When I am responsible for something that goes wrong under my leadership, I must acknowledge my responsibility and set it right.
~There are seven areas where the leader needs to take responsibility:
1. Take Responsibility To Discipline And Correct When Necessary.
Leaders must take the responsibility to correct an improper course of action taken by someone in the organization under their leadership. Truth is, some leaders are too afraid to discipline someone because they fear losing the favor of the people, but when some incorrect action calls for discipline and corrective measures, take responsibility to sort it out as soon as possible.
2. Take The Responsibility To Lead By Your Actions
.
There is a saying that goes like this, “Actions speak louder than words”. In other words, when you have the opportunity to do something significant, a leader must act with certainty. If a leader sees a real need, he/she should roll up their sleeves immediately and do whatever he/she can. That way your followers will also be motivated to join in as well.
3. Pay Attention To The Criticism From Your People.
A great leader always listens to the criticism of his/her people . There is always hope for leaders who take medicine. I think it is ludicrous when you’re sick and you get advice from your doctor to take certain medicines and you don’t take it, - such a person will be sick for a very long time. In other words, have a teachable spirit. Be willing to be influenced by your people.
4. Take Responsibility For The Integrity Of Your Organization.
A leader must always take the responsibility to keep everything in his/her organization above board and truthful. Over the past few years, too many corporations have crumbled because they never were very honest about the dealings of their company. In other words, a leader should always tell the truth, because if a leader cannot be honest and truthful and even trustworthy, then the morale and the motivation of his/her people will plummet like a rock to the bottom of the ocean.
There is a fact many leaders miss here: No one wants to be led by a liar! No-one likes to be deceived. The lies of the leader always reflect on the integrity of every person in the team. The way out, is to take responsibility to face up to the problem immediately, ask forgiveness of the people, and set things right. That means you take responsibility for your actions. “Honesty in the workplace can’t be regulated. It has to be encouraged by leaders who themselves are honest and willing to admit their failures”.
5. Treat Every Person In A Reasonable And Evenhanded Manner.
Treat your people fairly. Give to them what is owed and promised to them. That means, never over-promise. Never promise your people what you cannot deliver.
There was a sign on the wall of a Manila bus depot once. It read, “The superintendent of the Manila bus depot is responsible for everything that does or does not happen in the Manila bus depot”. I think he took his responsibility very serious, and so should you. How would you like to be held responsible for everything that didn’t happen in the Manila bus depot?
So you need to make a choice. Either you take responsibility for everything that happens under your leadership, or you can blame someone else, and lose the respect of your followers . What kind of a leader are you? If you want to lead the band, you have to face the music.
6. Constantly Monitor What’s Happening In Your Organization.
If you do this, then you’ll not only know how your people feel about things, but you will also become aware of everything else that’s happening in your organization or department. If your people become depressed about some issue or even some person, then you should know about it as their leader. Then take action immediately.
There’s nothing like a “runaway fire” in any organization. It simply kills the morale of your people. So the important thing for you to know, is what’s going on in your organization and then take action immediately to influence it for the better.
Quash that “negative” fire as soon as possible. If you do these two things, then you will have a great impact on events, rather than having the events having an impact on you.
7. Lead By Example Whenever Needed.
The followers do as the leader does. Why? Because they see the leader do it first. The result is, not only do the followers know it can be done, but they also see that the leader is willing to do it. Often then, leading by example will do the trick of keeping your people’s morale up. It’s no use just writing down what your followers must do. First do it yourself, show them by example, and they’ll follow you. This way they know in their own minds, it can be done, so their morale lifts, especially when it’s a project of high importance or difficulty.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!
Nine Mistakes To Avoid When You’re A Leader:
1. Avoid The Mistake Of Having A Bossy Arrogance.
2. Avoid The Mistake Of The Lack Of Affirmation And Praise.
3. Avoid The Mistake Of Putting Work Before People.
4. Avoid The Mistake Of Suppressing People’s Creativity And Un-Conventionalism.
5. Avoid The Mistake Of Claiming The Right As The Only Decision Maker In The Organization.
6. Avoid The Mistake Of Delegated Responsibility Going Bad.
7. Avoid the Mistake Of Communication Confusion.
8. Avoid the Mistake Of Not Mentoring A Successor To Follow In Your Footsteps.
9. Avoid The Mistake Of Neglecting Your Own Continues Self-Development.
Here are the areas in which you need to communicate clearly and continually:
a. The organization’s Goals, Vision, Values and Cultural Fit: Do they know the way you do things around here?
b. The lines of Authority and Responsibility: Do your people know who to talk to when they have a problem?
Do they know who to talk to when they have a grievance? Do they know who to approach when they need resources for a specific project?
c. Job Responsibilities: Do they know what their job responsibilities are? Have you told them? Do they know whom they need to report to?
A Responsible Leader
Main Entry: management
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: persons running an organization
Synonyms: Leadership, administration, authority, management, director, supervisor, person in charge, person responsible, captain of the ship, leader of the pack, CEO,….. owner.
The leader is responsible for the success or failure of his/her organization or department, and that fact alone, can either motivate or de-motivate your team players. If you take the responsibility that the buck stops with you, your people will be motivated by that fact, and have respect and loyalty to you. But if you don’t, the morale in your organization will surely fail. Your people will become cynical about your ability to lead them successfully.
In other words, responsible leadership will affect the morale, drive, confidence and motivation of your people.
The point to make is: Don’t pass the buck for taking the responsibility for something bad that’s happened in your organization. The leader is responsible for what takes place in the ranks. In other words, the one who leads the band, must face the music. Don’t try and shift the blame. “Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility…In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take responsibility”.
And so the application is quite simple: When I am responsible for something that goes wrong under my leadership, I must acknowledge my responsibility and set it right.
~There are seven areas where the leader needs to take responsibility:
1. Take Responsibility To Discipline And Correct When Necessary.
Leaders must take the responsibility to correct an improper course of action taken by someone in the organization under their leadership. Truth is, some leaders are too afraid to discipline someone because they fear losing the favor of the people, but when some incorrect action calls for discipline and corrective measures, take responsibility to sort it out as soon as possible.
2. Take The Responsibility To Lead By Your Actions
.
There is a saying that goes like this, “Actions speak louder than words”. In other words, when you have the opportunity to do something significant, a leader must act with certainty. If a leader sees a real need, he/she should roll up their sleeves immediately and do whatever he/she can. That way your followers will also be motivated to join in as well.
3. Pay Attention To The Criticism From Your People.
A great leader always listens to the criticism of his/her people . There is always hope for leaders who take medicine. I think it is ludicrous when you’re sick and you get advice from your doctor to take certain medicines and you don’t take it, - such a person will be sick for a very long time. In other words, have a teachable spirit. Be willing to be influenced by your people.
4. Take Responsibility For The Integrity Of Your Organization.
A leader must always take the responsibility to keep everything in his/her organization above board and truthful. Over the past few years, too many corporations have crumbled because they never were very honest about the dealings of their company. In other words, a leader should always tell the truth, because if a leader cannot be honest and truthful and even trustworthy, then the morale and the motivation of his/her people will plummet like a rock to the bottom of the ocean.
There is a fact many leaders miss here: No one wants to be led by a liar! No-one likes to be deceived. The lies of the leader always reflect on the integrity of every person in the team. The way out, is to take responsibility to face up to the problem immediately, ask forgiveness of the people, and set things right. That means you take responsibility for your actions. “Honesty in the workplace can’t be regulated. It has to be encouraged by leaders who themselves are honest and willing to admit their failures”.
5. Treat Every Person In A Reasonable And Evenhanded Manner.
Treat your people fairly. Give to them what is owed and promised to them. That means, never over-promise. Never promise your people what you cannot deliver.
There was a sign on the wall of a Manila bus depot once. It read, “The superintendent of the Manila bus depot is responsible for everything that does or does not happen in the Manila bus depot”. I think he took his responsibility very serious, and so should you. How would you like to be held responsible for everything that didn’t happen in the Manila bus depot?
So you need to make a choice. Either you take responsibility for everything that happens under your leadership, or you can blame someone else, and lose the respect of your followers . What kind of a leader are you? If you want to lead the band, you have to face the music.
6. Constantly Monitor What’s Happening In Your Organization.
If you do this, then you’ll not only know how your people feel about things, but you will also become aware of everything else that’s happening in your organization or department. If your people become depressed about some issue or even some person, then you should know about it as their leader. Then take action immediately.
There’s nothing like a “runaway fire” in any organization. It simply kills the morale of your people. So the important thing for you to know, is what’s going on in your organization and then take action immediately to influence it for the better.
Quash that “negative” fire as soon as possible. If you do these two things, then you will have a great impact on events, rather than having the events having an impact on you.
7. Lead By Example Whenever Needed.
The followers do as the leader does. Why? Because they see the leader do it first. The result is, not only do the followers know it can be done, but they also see that the leader is willing to do it. Often then, leading by example will do the trick of keeping your people’s morale up. It’s no use just writing down what your followers must do. First do it yourself, show them by example, and they’ll follow you. This way they know in their own minds, it can be done, so their morale lifts, especially when it’s a project of high importance or difficulty.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!
Nine Mistakes To Avoid When You’re A Leader:
1. Avoid The Mistake Of Having A Bossy Arrogance.
2. Avoid The Mistake Of The Lack Of Affirmation And Praise.
3. Avoid The Mistake Of Putting Work Before People.
4. Avoid The Mistake Of Suppressing People’s Creativity And Un-Conventionalism.
5. Avoid The Mistake Of Claiming The Right As The Only Decision Maker In The Organization.
6. Avoid The Mistake Of Delegated Responsibility Going Bad.
7. Avoid the Mistake Of Communication Confusion.
8. Avoid the Mistake Of Not Mentoring A Successor To Follow In Your Footsteps.
9. Avoid The Mistake Of Neglecting Your Own Continues Self-Development.
Here are the areas in which you need to communicate clearly and continually:
a. The organization’s Goals, Vision, Values and Cultural Fit: Do they know the way you do things around here?
b. The lines of Authority and Responsibility: Do your people know who to talk to when they have a problem?
Do they know who to talk to when they have a grievance? Do they know who to approach when they need resources for a specific project?
c. Job Responsibilities: Do they know what their job responsibilities are? Have you told them? Do they know whom they need to report to?
