Are You a Good Manager or a Great Leader?

Your word is your truth - Know that when you speak, you will fulfill your promise to others and others will know they can depend on you. Think before you speak. Under promise and over deliver. Always keep your promise.

Have a 'can do' attitude - Be cheerful and pleasant and cultivate an attitude of turning obstacles into opportunities. See the cup as half full instead of half empty. Do not focus on the problem, Focus on the solution. Think about all the good that can result from projects. Look for the good in others

Remember to say 'thank you' - Kind words go a long way. Acknowledge and appreciate people around you when they've done something of merit. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Do not take others for granted. Let people know how much you appreciate even the small things they do.

Practice the #1 rule of business - Remember to treat people as "they" want to be treated, not as you would like to be treated. This is crucial to being a leader. Everyone likes to be treated differently. Get to know how those around you like to be treated and respect their preferences. Discover the personalities of others and learn how they get encouraged.

Motivate others around you - Develop a strong interest in your staff and others around you. It's easier to motivate with encouragement, support and acknowledgments. Encourage others to go beyond their limits. Treat others as you know they can be, not as they are Ask others who their best boss was and why. Learn from that and motivate them the same way.

Empower and encourage others you know - Offer others public recognition and involve them in important work. Treat people like you know they can do the job. Have confidence in others to know they can get the job done. Express your appreciation when jobs are done to expectations. Encourage others to go beyond their limits and see what they create.

Share your vision and mission - Get staff engaged in an activity to meet goals and share the company's vision and mission. This will get others excited about future directions and will further motivate them to contribute to being a part of the end results. Articulate a clear vision to those around you. Let others know the mission and why you are doing what you do. Encourage others to be a part of your mission by involving them in the end result

Think creatively and don't stop at the obvious - Think about options available to you and envision the possibilities of bigger and better ways to do things. Develop the skill of having multiple options instead of settling for the easiest or fastest answer. Explore different possibilities and ask 'what if' questions. Discover new solutions for the old problems - don't take the easy way. When you think you have the answer, think of something else you can do to make it better.

Risk taking within reason by knowing high-risk and low-risk - Analyze risk. Know when risk taking is an intelligent move and when it shouldn't be considered. Form a team of individuals to run ideas by before taking large risks. Get a consensus from others when taking a risk. Practice 'analyze risk taking' by thinking through the whole process before proceeding. Know the possibilities of the outcome and the good and bad of the end results.

Stretch your creativity and encourage that in others Continually stretch your creative powers by thinking outside the box. Stretch out into the unknown and discover better ways of doing things. Set this example for others. Stretch your way of thinking and encourage that in others. Keep learning new things and finding better ways of doing what you do. Be a role model in your creative thinking and see the difference it makes in others.

Have a passion for what you do and create a sense of purpose Display passion for what you do. Ensure your words are congruent with your actions. Then follow the path of your goals. Focus on the end results and the purpose of your actions.

Love what you do and do what you love. Establish a sense of purpose and let your passion show through to others. Project into the future your long-term goal and desires. Share this vision with others

Create an environment of opportunity Create an environment where you and others around you can grow. Discover infinite opportunities by thinking outside the box. Get creative!

Give others the opportunity to experience new things and different ways of doing things. Encourage continual learning and new skills. Produce a richer environment by working at peak performance at high levels

Good Luck on your journey of becoming a great leader! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reprinting This Article: You are welcome to use one of my articles. Just be sure to include the "author's box" at the end:

Want more profit and success in your business? Cheryl Vallejos, Author, Motivational Speaker, Certified Business Coach and Consultant. Visit: http://www.PrimeLeaders.com for more articles and ways to improve leadership skills, business development tools and ways to increase profits. 2004 © Cheryl Vallejos, Prime Leaders, Cheryl@primeLeaders.com

---

The Four Laws Of Leadership (Part Two)

In Part One, I described the laws of motivation. In... Read More

The Happy Jar

I just delivered a free speech. I am a great... Read More

Thoughtleading: The Art of Separating Yourself from the Pack

Lately the age-old business dilemma of how to stand out... Read More

Your Ultimate Leadership Feedback Loop: Their Leadership

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

Awaken the Leader in You: 10 Easy Steps To Develop Your Leadership Skills

"The miracle power that elevates the few is to be... Read More

Leadership Skills: Four Ways of Overcoming Perfectionism

We pay a high price for perfectionism. "What perfectionism?" we... Read More

Precious Moments

There is too much learning out there that we earn... Read More

The Three Essential Attributes of a Leader: (Part 2) Bringing Others to the Vision

We need to engage our listeners and transform them into... Read More

How To Get To Know A Disabled Person

When you first meet someone who is blind, deaf, or... Read More

Dont Be a Complainer

Complaining. There's room for legitimate complaining, but if you let... Read More

Teen View of Leadership From Around the World

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

People Problems -- Understanding the Dueling Paradigms

You've spent the last 12 years riding your technical skills... Read More

The Defining Moment: The Straw That Stirs The Drink Of Motivational Leadership (Part Two)

In Part One, I described the importance of establishing deep,... Read More

8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader

Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More

Lead People...Manage Things

Master The Five Key Facets of High Performance LeadershipMany people... Read More

Character -- Why It Matters In Leaders

"Character is much easier kept than recovered." -Thomas Paine"The best... Read More

Reinventing Failure: Designing Success

I am fascinated by problems. I like to think of... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 7, Personal Attacks

Personal attacks hurt people, mar communication, and end creativity. If... Read More

Leadership Success and its Greatest Barrier: the Law of Administrivia

Years ago, a very wise, and often cynical boss of... Read More

Why Not Lead With Emotions?

Studies have shown that companies that have acquired competencies to... Read More

Birth Order - Understand How It Affects Your Personality

"Know thyself" is a powerful principle that leaders, managers and... Read More

The Flexible Leadership Workshop

The Leadership ChallengeLeaders in today's society are faced with an... Read More

Leadership Activity: How Leadership Agenda, Strategy, and Behaviors Shape Your Success!

"Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether... 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

Celebrating Successes: The Power Of Compliments

Years ago, when I was new in management circles, a... Read More

Choose Your Best Life: Where Are Your Choices Leading You?

According to the dictionary choice means "to select freely after... Read More

The Tao of Leadership

There can be no doubt that the ancient author of... Read More

7 AAA Ways To Succeed!

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

Trust - The Most Vital Component in Leadership

"Trust is the emotional glue that binds followers and... Read More

Leadership A Perspective From Tao

Tao Te Ching said to be written by Lao Tzu... Read More

Who Needs Heroes?

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

Helping Others Develop Their Potential

Most of us find ourselves in a position to help... Read More

Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader

Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More