Having Fun In Leadership

"Don't measure your life by your goals, but rather by what you are DOING to achieve them." ?Unknown

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is getting so wrapped up in achieving results, they forget to ensure that people are having fun along the way.

Indeed, having fun is a key ingredient of keeping employee morale up, and inspiring people to continue to work aggressively toward a common set of objectives.

We here at Leadership-Tools.com were recently discussing the subject of inspirational leadership.

Although our discussion took many detours into various subject areas, we found ourselves returning to the basic concept of - having FUN in the workplace.

As a leader, you might be thinking that "FUN" is important, but it cannot be paramount in terms of achieving results.

We challenge you, however, to not just think of having in terms of the "webster" definition.

As a leader, YOU need to define fun, and communicate YOUR definition of fun to your team.

First, let us lay the foundation with a bit of "FUN - philosophy" as we work toward our own definition of "Leadership Fun in the Workplace".

We believe there is a huge difference between highly successful leaders and those leaders who are working incredibly hard, but not quite achieving the same level of results.

The difference, we believe, is in leadership styles. What do we mean?

The highly successful leader today facilitates, leads by example, encourages and participates with their team members to achieve TEAM results.

When the entire team feels fully engaged and a part of the process, then every team member takes personal pride in achieving the results.

Having FUN along the way supports engagement of each team member. Think about it, being "engaged" is fun.

Let's be frank, the days where the leader is a strong authoritative director and where all employees simply wait to see what the manager tells everyone to do does NOT produce the results that are recognized by a fully engaged team. The leader may be having fun, but his/her subordinates certainly are not.

Managers who want to micro-manage all the details are finding that it is virtually impossible to do. The marketplace simply demands too much for one person to micro-manage their team.

We all have incredible people working for us, and if we are effective leaders we need to create an environment where every employee feels like they are empowered, and understand they are expected to proactively contribute.

Okay, let's get to our definition of Leadership Fun in the Workplace.

To those of us here at Leadership-Tools.com, FUN is NOT always laughing, being light-hearted, having low stress, and being comfortable.

Quite the contrary ? FUN is:

Working in an environment where people are challenged, they learn new skills, they grow, they seek opportunity and advancement, they take risks, they ask forgiveness - not always permission.

People with these traits make an organization grow - these people succeed more often than fail - and ultimately reap the rewards and recognition of one who consistently achieves results.

They stay motivated with the knowledge that they are the exception to the common rule of human behavior.

All told, they are having FUN because they make a difference and a contribution - they simply do not allow themselves to settle for the status quo. They would rather experience "engagement" - because being engaged - is FUN!

Good luck, and have fun.

Richard Gorham is the founder and President of Leadership-Tools, Inc. His web site, http://www.leadership-tools.com is dedicated to providing free tools and resources for today's aspiring leaders. Offering high-quality tools in the areas of Business Planning, Leadership Development, Customer Service, Sales Management and Team Building.

---

Creating Unlimited Belief for Success!

What's holding your team back from experiencing "breakout performance"?It may... Read More

The Best Ways To Multiply The Extraordinary Leadership in Your Organization

Extraordinary Leaders are those who understand that in order for... Read More

Business Leadership: How Much is in Your Credibility Bank Account?

Business leaders have more than a title on their doors.... Read More

Leadership - L.P.B It!

"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of... Read More

The Leadership Strategy: An Unmined Comstock Lode of Results

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill had a framed... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 1, General Strategies for Unproductive Behavior

It happens easily. You're conducting a meeting and suddenly a... Read More

Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

A leader's roleIn any change project, a leader must wear... Read More

Fighting the Gravitational Pull of Positional Leadership

A little on leadership?Many people enter the leadership world through... Read More

Seven Personal Characteristics Of A Good Leader

How often have you heard the comment, "He or she... Read More

Stand Out as a Leader, Do 5 Things Better! Number One: Improve the Quality of Your Decision Making!

The manager administers, the leader improves; the manager maintains, the... Read More

7 Excellent Ways To Improve Your Leadership Skills!

Did you know that there are 7 really effective yet... Read More

Benefits of Leadership Skill Training

DESCRIPTION CMOE's Leadership Skill Training addresses a wide range of... Read More

Career Advice for Business Leaders: Empowering Others

Many potential leaders in business sabotage themselves and their organizations... Read More

Sometimes Leaders Need to Get the Boot

Today I stood up to a guy right in front... Read More

All You Really Want Is Feeling Good

If I asked you what your goal in life is,... Read More

Leadership Lessons from Pope John Paul II

"Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge... Read More

Leadership ? Push vs. Pull?

At your next staff meeting consider leading your team through... Read More

The Four Laws Of Leadership (Part One)

Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. After... Read More

Be the Samurai Sword

Relationships are constantly facing crisis. Everywhere we look people are... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to See the Talents of Effective Leaders

An organization of any size, from the family to the... Read More

Are You A Leader in the Chrysalis?

Let's get this straight at the outset?Leadership skills can be... Read More

Leadership, Self-Development, and the Committment to Growth

There is a common phrase that says: "You can't teach... Read More

Teen View of Leadership From Around the World

It has been stated that the world of tomorrow will... Read More

The Compassion Paradox

Effective leaders are comfortable with paradox. They can call on... Read More

A Good Leader Knows The Teams Colours

Leadership can be a very challenging task. As leaders we... Read More

Communication Skills & Leadership - Organizational Communications Processes in Leadership Activity

"Sooth 't were a pleasant life to lead, With nothing... Read More

Ten Steps To Effective Leadership

Many people end up in a supervisory position or SOHO... Read More

Who Needs Heroes?

When we were talking the other day we started to... Read More

7 AAA Ways To Succeed!

[Abounding Abundant Ample Ways To Boost Your Growth!] This may... Read More

BIG-3 Leadership!

"Do what you do so well that they will want... Read More

Three Growth Guidelines from Stephen Covey

I have been looking for answers to what it takes... Read More

The Metamorphosis of the Successful Executive . . . Overcoming Professional Stagnation

You're a bright, successful business executive making good money and... Read More

Your Ultimate Leadership Feedback Loop: Their Leadership

Life on our planet flourishes through feedback. If life forms... Read More