Leadership Basics

Success as a manager depends upon accepting your responsibility as a leader. To function effectively as a leader, you must make some choices about your role within the organization, your priorities as a manager, and the values by which you live. You must know who you are, both personally and as part of the whole organization. Without such self-knowledge, it is difficult to make good decisions and take action on them. Successful management grows out of a consistent and constructive attitude toward other people and how they should be treated.

These basic success attitudes and habits form a solid foundation for building an even more productive, satisfying career. You earned your position because you demonstrated to some degree some of the following abilities and others:

• You have what it takes to be a team player. You have demonstrated the ability to listen, to accept responsibility, and to cooperate and communicate with others to accomplish the goals of the work group.
• Your attitude displays a genuine respect for others and the recognition of the importance of following as well as leading.
• You are organized and can help others organize their activities.
• You are able to set priorities and to discipline yourself to put first things first.
• You succeed even if needed instructions or materials are not readily available.
• You figure out how to get the work done even when the procedure is not obvious or clear.
• You are motivated. You are enthusiastic about your work.
• You are optimistic, and you exercise initiative. You achieve results.
• You focus your energy on the goals and priorities that produce the highest payoff for your organization.
• You set a positive example of consistently pursuing the results necessary for your organization to survive, grow, and succeed.
• You are a leader. In every assignment you are given, you set a positive tone and pace for the work climate. By your example, you instill in others the desire to do their best.

As an effective and successful leader, you must develop and strengthen the attitudes, skills, and habits that will earn you the respect you need to exercise your authority more effectively. Earning the respect of your associates and learning to use your power more productively will increase the results you are able to get by working with and through people.