Pave. Create. Disseminate.

Lead and Learn

by edavis on 30/03/10 at 8:12 pm

I’m a manager who not only runs a very large and visible account, but I also head up my company’s interactive communications team. Serving in these dual leadership roles, I’m always working on how to become a more effective leader. I want people to follow me not because they have to, but because they want to. As such, I’m constantly looking for ways to see what I can do to become a better leader, manager, and mentor.

One of the ways I seek to do this is to study leadership. At the core of this approach is reading as much as I can about leadership and thinking and applying this knowledge in my work setting. One book I’m reading now is F.A. Manske’s Secrets of Effective Leadership: A Practical Guide to Success. In his book, he lists some key rules that leaders should adhere to. These rules include:

1. Become totally committed to doing the best job possible.
2. Build your staff with the highest quality people.
3. Maintain a cheerful pleasant attitude.
4. Refrain from “passing the heat”.
5. Be willing to say, “I made a mistake” or “I don’t know”.
6. Avoid indiscreet, negative criticism of subordinates, colleagues, and superiors.
7. Work hard and smart.
8. Stand up for the principles you believe in.
9. Keep an open mind.
10. Be diplomatic.
11. Maintain a positive mental attitude.
12. Develop a professional, energetic image.
13. Be a team player.
14. Be enthusiastic.
15. Treat your employees as you would like to be treated - with respect and dignity.
16. Build networks.
17. Learn to keep your mouth shut.
18. Avoid the ever present danger of becoming too comfortable in your job.
19. Never! Never! Never! Never! Give up.

I now found myself looking at this list all of the time. There are some rules that I definitely follow. There are others where I fall short. I’m now making a concerted effort to address these weak links. Furthermore, I’m about to embark on a 360 degree leadership evaluation. This information, coupled with my own knowledge and experience, should help push me further to becoming the leader I want and need to be.