Is There a Crisis of Leadership?

We believe there is overwhelming evidence that the “position of Leadership” is in peril. The World of Business, Politics, and on down the line to Home and Families are starving for “Real Authentic Leadership”! Powerful businessmen have shifted their focus from their original “Why we do what we do” to what’s best for the investors or other personal gain. Politicians have lost all favor and credibility by ‘lining’ their pockets before administering to their constituent’s wants and needs! It’s happening far too often. Homes and Families are divided by the “noise” created by the media and social media. Everybody has an opinion and lines are being drawn on all sides.

Sound like a real mess? We think that Common Sense has not only left the building…it has exited the Planet leaving the few seemingly ‘powerless’ that have been blessed with a good dose of Common Sense to see through the muck and mire to the Truth and what can be done – what is possible.

Let us proclaim – that those of you (and there are many) that still have Common Sense and feel ‘powerless’… YOU ARE NOT POWERLESS! Come forward… we need your Leadership! There are so many of you that can “cut to the chase” and intuitively know what needs to happen, but something holds you back. What’s holding you back is INFLUENCE. You feel or believe that you don’t have the INFLUENCE needed for leadership. Influence is the key ingredient and simplified definition of the word Leadership.

We all are influencers to some degree whether we recognize it or not. We all play a part no matter how small. Here is the wisdom of Mother Teresa:

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

Mother Teresa

What we have forgotten is that we have become passive consumers of the influence of others – especially the media and those that are in “power” and given up our own gift and responsibility to shape the culture of our future!

Leadership is influence, but being a leader is taking the responsibility for the position of leadership which is being responsible for change. Change begins when we become aware of our leadership qualities and then creating a plan for what needs to change.

So, what is Leadership? Leadership is a lifestyle. It is the discipline of living a life knowing who you are at your soul level (what’s important at the core of your being), what you do (your behavior, motivations, purpose, passions, and desires), how you see others (non-judgmental and forgiving), where you are going (what you need to learn), and using what you know to create a fulfilling future. This foundation can then be applied to any position of leadership you choose to partake in.

Good Leadership or Great Leadership? Is Good the enemy of Great or is Great the enemy of Good? It depends upon your current viewpoint of Leadership. In his book “Good To GREAT”, Jim Collins starts off by stating “Good is the enemy of great. We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don’t have have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of companies never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good – and that is their main problem.” By doing some things well, they miss the opportunity to become truly great at something. They SETTLE for good…the enemy!

On the other hand when it comes to Great being the enemy of Good, “Great” leaders wielding great power and influence can be harmful and dangerous when their influence and power is NOT directed for good. They may bring about change, but it will not be sustainable long term since it is not positive in nature.

More on what Great Leadership is

If you desire is to become a Great Leader, you must start with yourself by becoming a Great Self-Leader. After mastering self-leadership, you will be in perfect position to lead others. The definition of Self-Leadership: Self-leadership is the discipline of living a life knowing who you are at your soul level (core of your being), what you do (your behavior, motivations, purpose, passions, and desires), where you are going (what you need to learn), and using what you know to create a fulfilling future.

NorthStar Mentors and Coaches offer a comprehensive course in Great Leadership beginning with Self-Leadership as a prerequisite.

Becoming an effective Leader carries great responsibility. It’s not about being in charge, it’s about caring about those you are in charge of. This empowering course will provide you with the ability to master the following skills: 

  • Self-leadership skills
  • Effective communication skills
  • Awareness – of self and others
  • Relationship building
  • Vision & Innovation
  • Proper Perspective
  • Motivational skills
  • Social skills and compassion 

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams 

Keep in mind; the three characteristics that form the foundation of a truly effective leader are Empathy, Mindfulness, and Humility… 

Empathy – having an increased sense of the other person

Mindfulness – having an increased sense of the situation

Humility – having an increased sense of yourself 

The three become a virtuous circle – Empathy leads to Mindfulness and increased mindfulness leads to increased Humility which leads back to increased Empathy thus continuing the cycle toward more curiosity of the purpose of the mission and leadership thereof.

Leadership begins with CONNECTION! Connection happens when a person has a true emotional (empathy) investment in another person and that ‘other’ experiences the same and it is returned. If you ‘get them’ (understand them) they will ‘get you’ and begin to trust you and will follow you. This TRUST comes from the heart and when you gain someone’s heart, you also have their passion and their desire.

Here are examples of leadership styles. Do you see yourself in any of them?

WHAT’S YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?

Servant Leadership

Regardless of which leadership style you resonate with most, everything you do as a leader must be rooted in servant leadership. Servant leadership means using your leadership skills to serve a greater good.

Democratic Leadership

A democratic leader is one who places high value on the diverse skills, qualities and knowledge base of their team.

Visionary Leadership

Visionary leaders are at their best when it comes to finding new directions and new potential solutions to a given problem.

Coaching Leadership

A coaching leader is one who spends a great deal of time and energy on the individuals in a given group.

Affiliative Leadership

Affiliative leaders place high emphasis on a “team first” approach.

Pacesetting Leadership

A pacesetting leader is one who leads by doing.

Commanding Leadership

A commanding leader is the kind we most often see in movies and read about in books. They approach leadership with an attitude of “do as I say because I’m the boss,” giving directives and expecting others to follow orders without question.

“The quality of a leader cannot be judged by the answers they give but, by the questions they ask.” ~ Simon Sinek

There’s No Wrong Way Style To Be a Leader…

Unless you violate the true characteristics of leadership. It’s important to keep in mind that there are many styles of leadership for a good reason: there is “no one size fits all.” Different situations call for different approaches depending on the needs and challenges of the moment. And sometimes, a problem is best solved by combining different types of leadership styles.

Takeaway – “Leaders instill in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals.” ~ Unknown

“It doesn’t matter how much we know. What matters is how clearly others can understand what we know.” ~Simon Sinek

To learn more about NorthStar Mentors and Coaches Leadership Course fill out the form below and get started today. This World needs great Leaders like you…so be the change we need. Sign up today and let your light shine!