Deb Cheslow is the author of Remarkable Courage. The book provides a systemized strategy for success based on four foundational pillars: Discipline, Accountability, Standards and Systems.
She has spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a great leader, and the characteristics below are adapted from her writings.
1. Do the right things, even when no one is watching.
Have integrity and character to complement your ability to get things done. It’s easy to do the right thing when you have an audience, but it takes courage and strength to accomplish what's needed when no one is around.
2. Take personal responsibility.
Follow rules, report facts accurately, treat people fairly and don’t lie, cheat or steal to advance your agenda. Hold yourself accountable for your actions and decisions, and for the actions of the people under your authority. Don’t make excuse. Attack root causes of problems and never blame others.
3. Do whatever it takes, but minimize collateral damage.
Achieve outcomes without leaving your followers exhausted, damaged or demoralized. Attain your goals within moral and ethical boundaries.
4. Develop followers.
Build the skills and talents of others, and make employees partners in the process of accomplishing goals. Empower your staff to continually improve and share your knowledge and experience generously. Press your team to achieve more, realizing that everyone will be better off the more frequently employees do great work and achieve great success.
5. Never go it alone.
Absorb the input and counsel of numerous advisors, both from similar and opposing perspectives, then devise solutions based upon a well-rounded view of the problem. Understand that it is naïve to believe you’ve considered every possible angle of an issue without seeking outside counsel from a varied and extended network.
6. Leave people and things better than you found them.
Always make a positive difference that benefits everyone. Even when you inherit a situation that’s less than ideal, provide inspiration for rebuilding bigger and better than before.
7. Be courageous.
Defy logic and conventional wisdom, and blaze new trails. Don’t dwell on why something can’t be done, but only consider how it might be accomplished. Make a decision, announce it, and then you and your team should set about making it a reality.
This material has been adapted from a post on the OC Tanner Blog by Michelle M. Smith, vice president of business development at OC Tanner, an international appreciation company that helps more than 6,000 clients worldwide appreciate people who do great work through consulting, training and creating customized award and recognition programs.
