A.M.B.A. 5230Major Leadership Concepts

I can’t lead if I am not at the top◦ Influence Vs Power (p.4)◦ Is legitimate power a substitute for leadership?◦ Are the best leaders found in top management

teams (TMTs)

When I get to the top, I’ll be in control When I get to the top, I’ll no longer be

limited◦ As leaders move up in organizations they

experience less bounded rationality in decision making and more responsibility, i.e. you have less control)

I can’t reach my potential if I’m not the top leader◦ Most people will never make it to the top of an

organization◦ Strive to reach your potential, not the top of an

organization◦ To thy own self be true, (Shakespeare)

Accept that you have limited autonomy◦ Factors affecting autonomy

Empowerment Initiative Environment Job Parameters Appreciation

Managing up is vital; and very difficult with an ineffective leader◦ Take responsibility for developing your

relationship with your leader◦ Cater to your leaders strengths◦ Affirm your leaders strengths

Your ethics decide whether you are a socialized or personalized leader

Enjoy the process, don’t be too goal oriented

If leadership is influence, then what do you have to do or possess to be influential?◦ Care about others◦ Exhibit strong positive character◦ Perform competently◦ Deal with others in a consistent manner◦ Be committed

Are there others?

“If your leader must continually expend energy managing you, then you will be perceived as someone who drains time and energy” (Maxwell, p. 86)

Lead yourself exceptionally well◦ Emotions◦ Time◦ Priorities◦ Energy◦ Thinking◦ Words◦ Personal Life

“Even if the leader you work for never turns around to lift you up in return, someone who has seen you doing that lifting will extend a hand to you. Just remember: It’s not how heavy the load is. It’s how you carry it”, (Maxwell, p. 97)

Lighten Your Leader’s Load◦ Do your own job well first◦ Find solutions to problems◦ Tell leaders what they need and not want to hear◦ Go the second mile◦ Stand up for your leader◦ Stand in for your leader◦ Ask how you can lift the leader’s load

“The key is being willing to do something because it matters, not because it will get you noticed”, (Maxwell, p. 107).

Be Willing to Do What Others Won’t◦ Commitment◦ Priorities◦ Take responsibility◦ Go above and beyond

Work-life balance? Generational paradigm difference?

“All leaders are looking for people who can step up and make a difference when it matters. When they find such people, they come to rely on them and are inevitably influenced by them”, (Maxwell, p. 145)

Become a Go-To Player◦ Produce under pressure◦ Produce with scarce resources◦ Produce when momentum is low◦ Produce when the load is heavy◦ Produce when the leader is absent◦ Produce when time is limited

“Some people don’t look to the workplace for friendship, but they will certainly benefit from finding it there” (Maxwell, p. 175).

“Your value as a leader in the middle will increase as you stretch and get out of your comfort zone relationships, which are usually comprised of: people you’ve known for a long time, people with whom you have common experiences, and people you know like you” (Maxwell, p. 191-192)

Be a Friend◦ Affective Commitment◦ Informal networks

“People who might be described as ‘political’ are ruled by their desire to get ahead instead of a desire for excellence, productivity, teamwork, or consistency” (Maxwell, p. 183).

Avoid Office Politics◦ Avoid gossip◦ Stay away from petty arguments◦ Stand up for what’s right, not just what’s popular◦ Look at all sides of the issue◦ Don’t protect your turf◦ Say what you mean, and mean what you say

Is this a character and integrity issue? What values do you relate to being political?

“360-Degree leaders get more out of their people because they think more of their people. They respect and value them, and as a result, their people want to follow them” (Maxwell, p. 221).

See Everyone As a “10”◦ See them as who they can become◦ Let them “borrow” your belief in them◦ Catch them doing something right◦ Believe the best-give others the benefit of doubt◦ Realize that “10” has many definitions◦ Give them the “10” treatment

“When a leader’s identity and actions are consistent, the results he gets are consistent. When they are inconsistent, then so are the results” (Maxwell, p. 242).

Model the Behavior You Desire◦ Your behavior determines the culture◦ Your attitude determines the atmosphere◦ Your values determine the decisions◦ Your investment determines the return◦ Your character determines the trust◦ Your work ethic determines the productivity◦ Your growth determines the potential

“Whatever actions leaders reward will be repeated. That’s why it’s very important to reward results-and to do it the right way” (Maxwell, p. 255).

Reward For Results◦ Give praise publicly and privately◦ Give more than just praise◦ Don’t reward everyone the same◦ Give perks beyond pay◦ Promote when possible◦ Remember that you get what you pay for

“Leadership is what makes the difference at every level of the organization” (Maxwell, p. 269).

Leaders are needed at every level of the organization◦ Without a leader, vision is lost◦ Without a leader, decisions are delayed◦ Without a leader, agendas are multiplied◦ Without a leader, conflicts are extended◦ Without a leader, morale is low◦ Without a leader, production is reduced◦ Without a leader, success is difficult

“360-Degree leaders have certain qualities that enable them to lead in every direction, and that is what makes them valuable to an organization” (Maxwell, p. 285).

360-Degree leaders possess qualities every organization needs.◦ Adaptability, discernment, perspective,

communication, security, servanthood, resourcefulness, maturity, endurance, & countability

You are most likely simultaneously leading and being lead

Learn to help yourself through leadership (i.e. synergy through team-work)

Lose your entitlement attitude Examine your motivations and keep your

ego in check

Your attitude predicts your altitude Your ethics determine whether you are a

socialized or personalized leader A leaders job is to add value through

influence Leadership is influence through

relationship…build good workplace relationships with employees at all levels

Leadership is not a goal to be reached, it is a life-long process of growth and development….enjoy the process