After, over four decades, of personal and professional involvement, in nearly, everything, related to effectively, leading, from identifying and qualifying, to training, developing, and consulting to thousands of actual, and/ or, potential leaders, as well as personally, serving, several times, as a leader, I strongly believe, real leaders must, never be willing to accept, anything – less than their personal best, because, good – enough, does not bring – forth, the FINEST efforts! In – fairness, much of that blame/ responsibility, is, because, few organizations have dedicated themselves, to customized, professionally designed, leadership training and planning programs, to ensure, their leaders, are better – prepared, and, ready – for – prime – time! With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it matters.
1. Faithful; face facts; future; fruition; fate: Groups need leaders, who are clearly, faithful, to the ideals of the organization (including its heritage, history, demographics, mission, etc), and their stakeholders, rather than any, personal/ political agenda/ opinion, and/ or, self – interests! Although, a positive, can – do, attitude, is a needed trait and behavior, it must be, without resorting to the tendency to wear, rose – colored glasses! Instead, they must, face – the – facts, and, consider, various options and alternatives, with an open – mind, with he purpose, of creating the best path – forward, into the future! However, it’s never, enough, for one to simply, make statements, etc, but, rather, he must effectively, strategic plan, and create an action plan, which helps bring the best potential scenario, to fruition! Real leaders feel, they must do the right – thing, because, they hold themselves responsible, for the fate of their organization, etc.
2. Integrity; ideals/ ideology; imagination; innovate; important; impacts: One must proceed, with absolute integrity, especially, when faced with challenges, and avoid resorting to some course, of perceived, less stress, etc! What one does, must align, his personal ideals, with the ideology of the specific group, and do so, with a well – developed, relevant imagination, and a willingness, and ability to innovate, when needed! He differentiates important issues, from petty ones, and thoroughly, considers, the impacts and ramifications, of, either acting, or failing to!
3. Needs: Simply – stated, true leading, must be, about needs, priorities, perceptions, and choosing the best options!
4. Empathy; emphasis; efforts; excellence; endurance: Great leaders must proceed, with genuine empathy, and place, much of their emphasis, accordingly! Their efforts must emphasize excellence, and they need to have the endurance and persistence, to go – on, when much of the rest – of – the = pack, gives – up!
5. Solutions; service; sustainable; strengths/ stronger; system: We need leaders, who uses the strengths of the group, effectively, to make it stronger, and more sustainable! It must be their responsibility, to introduce, viable solutions, with the intention of providing the finest, possible, service! What one’s system is, and how well, it is developed, often, differentiates between the finest leadership, and/ or, less!
6. Truth/ trust; timely; time – tested; trends; together: One must, consistently, tell the truth, and perceived, as doing so, in order to earn the trust of stakeholders! Ideas must be well – considered, timely, well – developed, and, time – tested, when needed! In addition, someone must identify, understand, and appropriately, use current trends, which may be applicable, with the intention of bringing us, together, for the greater good!
If, you want to lead, never accept, anything, less than, your FINEST efforts! Are you up to the tasks and responsibilities?
