What is it that has set the great leaders and entrepreneurs of the world apart from the rest of the world? You know what I’m talking about- the truly remarkable ones that have made their mark on the world. Sam Walton didn’t create the Wal-Mart Empire overnight, and he certainly didn’t do it alone. He had a group of quality employees working for him, a group that both respected and admired Mr. Walton and of his accomplishments. He is a prime example of possessing the right leadership styles and skills to get the job done, and created and kingdom in the process.
Of course, success means different things to different people; therefore the personal definition of leadership must also be different. The dictionary lists the word “leadership" as the ability to or the activity of leading. Ronald Reagan, one of the most respected presidents that the United States ever had (with one of the highest approval ratings to boot), watched a nation suffer with double digit unemployment for years. Napoleon was a great leader, and so was Attila the Hun, but neither of them was liked very much by those they led, but were either respected or frightened into following as they did. “Ruling with an iron fist" is what these gents did best, but this means demanding respect as a form of leadership is not the best way for everyone. You need to find what will work best for you, your needs and your goals. The big trick is to find them.
We’ve all heard the proverbs like “There is no “I" in T-E-A-M" and “We can’t Spell “SUCCESS" without “U". Motivational speakers around the globe are always speaking of believe, conceive, and achieve. And while these all seem to make sense, it can be tough to put these tidbits of information and proverbial quotes to work and attain the results that we’re looking for, and there’s only so much room in the business world for trial and error. So what exactly are those of us climbing up the corporate ladder or building our own rung-by-rung supposed to do?
A plan needs to be created, filled with different ideas from different angles. Timelines need to be set with as much detail as possible. Finally, a goal needs to be deciphered amongst it all, one that is reasonable and undoubtedly achievable. If the plan isn’t working for one reason or another, you must be able to switch to a different route without disruption, as disruption can cause chaos, which can set you farther back from where you started.
There are a number of quality websites out there designed for the sole purpose of relaying quality information and ideas about leadership and the business world, passing on information on a plethora of shapes and forms, all which has worked for so many. By taking one idea from one success story and another idea from the next, you’ll be sure to create your own plan and story of success.
Pictures of the well known and well to do are flashed across TV screens and adorn glossy magazine covers daily. We love celebrity. We watch their every movement, daydream about what it is like to live the life. Wonder how they got there. For those that worked their way to the top and did not happen on some moment of circumstance leadership was part of the climb to the top.
When thinking of leaders it is not only the good that come to mind. History has provided us with plenty of both from which to choose. Some make us smile while others we wish to erase from the books. What style of leadership did they exemplify?
Martin Luther King: An inspirational speaker. Speeches like "I have a dream" galvanized people as it brought his vision to light. He spoke with authority and was able to mobilize a country toward his vision.
Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics): If you are thinking of pink Cadillac's you are correct. The pink Cadillac is an icon of a successful high performing company. Mary Kay's inspirational leadership turned a $5000 investment into billion-dollar corporation.
Jack Welch: Hear his name and GE springs to mind immediately. Over 20 years under his direction GE increased in worth from several million dollars to several hundred billion dollars. His no nonsense leadership style gave him a reputation of being both ruthless and fair in making business decisions. Managers were given free rein as long as they were able to accept and perpetuate constant change with the purpose of doing it better.
Leona Helmsley: She is legendary for her autocratic, tyrannical style leadership. The president of the Helmsley hotel chain fell from glory when her employees turned records over to the New York Post and she traded in her suite life for a jail cell. Her story portrayed in a TV movie "The Queen of Mean"
John F. Kennedy: A highly charismatic leader who with his wife at his side turned the White House into "Camelot". President Kennedy was able to energize the nation. He set forth his vision of the space program for all Americans to embrace. This vision set a goal that was realized with a walk on the moon years after his life here had ended.
Martha Stewart: Does the image of a meticulous and demanding to perfection persona come to mind? She has found herself in a fair share of controversy and still she and her organization continue to flourish. Her style of autocratic leadership has served her well.
Eleanor Roosevelt: She told Americans across the Nation, "We are on trial to show what democracy means." She was a champion of civil and women's rights and showed compassion to depression era poor. One leadership lesson in her own words: "It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself."