What are the basics of good leadership?

While leadership is very complex in so respects, in my experience there are a some basics things that always have to be in place.

1. You have to have a shared vision of where you are going. It cannot just be the vision of the leader. It has to be shared by the key players in the organization. Without shared vision you simply have activity.

2, You have to have the right people in the right roles. If you do not have the right people in key roles, the leader becomes overwhelmed trying to make sure the basics get done. It does not matter if you are the CEO or a department supervisor, you have to have the right people in the right roles.

3. You have to have processes in place that allow you to accomplish the work of the organization and achieve the vision. Once you have a clear shared vision and the right people in the right roles, a leader can spend time refining and improving how the work is done.

4. You have to develop a supportive and positive culture. If you have a shared vision, the right people in the right roles and are focused on improving, you probably will have a healthy culture. But a leader must constantly monitor and assure that things do not come in from the environment and poison the culture.

Now of course, anyone who has ever been a leader knows that it is not always easy to achieve these things, but at its core, this is what leadership is about—a shared vision, right people in the right roles, continual improvement of processes and a positive culture.

Why should I read another blog on Leadership?

Hold on--this is not required reading!

I just happen to find leadership to be an intriguing subject that impacts almost every aspect of our lives. It is especially impactful in work settings, in volunteer organizations, in schools, and of course in government. But it even has powerful effects in less formal settings like home and worship.

Leadership is very simple in some respects but complex in others. What works in one setting doesn't necessarily work in another. It seems to come naturally for some and others work very hard at leading, with little success.

I have had the opportunity to formally learn about leadership in my graduate studies, but I have also had the opportunity to learn both as a follower and leader. I have sat in the CEO chair in entrepreneurial organizations, and served in leadership roles in other settings. I have succeeded and I have failed. Experience on a foundation of theory can be a powerful teacher.

This blog will explore the day to day challenges of leadership in the context of today's dynamic and challenging environment.

Join me in this exploration, ask questions and let's learn together.