Most of the situations and theories I’ve discussed up until this point have been from a negative point of view, or perhaps in a way of needing improvement. I guess it’s always easier to see the negative instead of the positive for whatever reason that actually may be. So I thought I’d take a different approach with this opportunity and talk a little bit about a leader I admire, quite possibly more than I’ve ever admired any leader I’ve had.
He possesses all of the major leadership traits – intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity and sociability- that Northouse (2013) indicates are central to a great leader. He’s highly intelligent regarding our business but does not behave in a way which would make others feel uncomfortable with his knowledge. He’s always willing to help others work through a situation either by offering a solution or by helping them arrive at the solution themselves. He possesses the characteristics of a servant leader as well. His ability to predict what is going to happen as well as provide that vision to the rest of the company is extraordinary.
He is the leader I strive to be someday. He knows everyone in our company of over 300 employees- their names, their families, etc. And as he walks through the departments he acknowledges each one. But he also understands his role and the goals of the company and what the strategy is to reach them. He’s methodical in reaching conclusions to different challenges, he genuinely listens to others’ opinions, and he remains calm regardless of what is happening around him. I’ve said many times that the building could literally be on fire and you’d never know it from his face. That’s the kind of leader I want to be.
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles:
Sage Publications