Comments on: Leadership: Give Direction

By: Start Blogging

Start Blogging — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:37:16 +0000

I agree that the most critical leadership trait is to be able to make the right decisions. Leadership is about strategy and long term success. Every decision he makes will affect the future of his team/company’s success. I am afraid this trait is not easy to learn.

By: Dhanamjaya

Dhanamjaya — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:44:23 +0000

I think Montgomery had to ask the question at the junction point of change of direction. She may have even been posing it directly to Bush, an arms length away, and all those who still support love that needs to preempt.

By: Solo

Solo — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:40:35 +0000

Keep coming. This is very useful and refreshing not to mention educational. I need to keep up with the class.

By: Mike King

Mike King — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:08:34 +0000

Dhanamjaya, thanks for sharing that. It is all about actually DOING the leadership you say you will isn’t it! As for the poem, I wish it didn’t have the question. The mightiest word IS love.

Karl, a true leader is always learning. The best ones are also humble. I see that in you and hope you’ll like the last article in this series tomorrow on Humble leadership. Your messages of admitting improvement and needing to learn this demonstrate that nicely. Thanks for your continued support and comments!

By: Karl Staib - Work Happy Now

Karl Staib - Work Happy Now — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:40:30 +0000

I have a hard enough time leading myself. Leading others at work is much harder. We have to keep everyone happy and understanding the direction that we are going in.

This is a great post for me tonight. I’ve been having trouble putting my goals as a leader into words and ideas and this helped. Showing compassion and patience when a person is having a tough time is strength of a great leader. I’m still learning this, but improving on a weekly basis.

By: Dhanamjaya

Dhanamjaya — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:40:21 +0000

Socrates talking about appropriate quality of anger bothers me as I feel anger is the common enemy.

Obama did one thing done perfectly well before even leaving his inauguration platform. That is, he had Elizabeth Alexander recite her inaugural poem “Praise song for the day.” of which the last three sentences say what is needed to solve our change of direction and challenging problems:

What if the mightiest word is love?
Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
praise song for walking forward in that light.

President Bush had a big need to pre-empt grievance and we have seen the results of that. Obama IS doing and will do the opposite. And we will be happy with the results, but we all need to walk forward in the light.

By: Mike King

Mike King — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:39:01 +0000

@Bunny, thanks again for your additions here and how leadership has played such a role for you in finding the right path with your team. Those things we learn from tighten that course towards a common goal.

@Dragos, yup, you got it and definitely the leader who must make that monitor and movement possible to ensure progress. The mission is not enough.

@HIB, you are right, there is a lot of material that covers direction, but many fail to look at the way to get their. There is nothing wrong with changing course or even veering off for short term good reasons, but the leader must ensure that it doesn’t get too far off course and that things are always directed back to that common goal and target.

Thanks for your comments so far!

By: Happiness Is Better

Happiness Is Better — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:32:26 +0000

I feel an important part of leadership is also picking up and leading the group when the group runs into a perceived set back.

I’m glad to see that you included course corrections. It seems like I read about and experience leadership that decides on a direction and doesn’t correct the course of action when other directions look more promising.

Great article!

By: Dragos Roua

Dragos Roua — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:20:14 +0000

A true leader have a mission. You just cannot separate the leader from the mission. And knowing the direction is just the first step in completing the mission.

I really think that a leader should constantly monitor his mission progress and the direction in which he moves in order to assess progress.

Good tips on how to actually achieve this.

Thanks for sharing!

By: Bunny got Blog

Bunny got Blog — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:27:35 +0000

Hello Mike,
I find leadership is taken away every experience you have had from the start and utilizing it.I know I have taken the good and bad with everything taught to me by mentors and previous bosses and used this to my advantage.It has helped me when decided who to delegate certain tasks to and team with others on projects.You have to nurture your team.It is as good as the boss makes it.