*Jozzua Notes from a Business and Marketing Strategist/Tactician

Three Ways To Help Leaders Find Themselves

I was in Legazpi last week. We gave a seminar on "Leadership." It was an echoing of lessons we learned from a previous (Guthrie-Jensen) workshop we attended. There are three basic topics I distinctly remember from it:

1. Motivate - you've got to motivate people You don't force them. You create an environment for them to flourish, to discover the best within them. I loved this lesson. You remember the parable of the sun and the wind?

Once long ago the Sun and the Wind made a bet. It happened on one summers day long long ago...and this is how it came about....

The Wind said boastfully "I am far stronger than you are."

The Sun just looked at the wind and said nothing.

So the Wind went on to say, "I am so much stronger than you are that look down at that traveler on the road. I bet I can make him take off his cloak before you can."

The Sun just kept looking and said nothing still.

So the Wind then said, "So I will go first as I know you will never be able to do that." So the Wind proceeded to blow and blow and blow. But all the traveler did was clutch his cloak tighter to himself. Finally the Wind was so tired he gave up, saying, "Well if I could not do it then surely you cannot...So there is not really any sense in you trying to remove his cloak."

The entire time this had been going on the Sun had decided to hide behind a cloud. So the sun then came out and began to beam. Very slowly it began to get warmer so much so that the traveler when he came to a stream took off his cloak and all his clothes to go swimming.

Moral: Gentle persuasion is often more effective than brute force. Simple and memorable.

2. Communicate - a basic skill for all leaders. To get cooperation, don't hide facts. Tell everything. Give subordinates a big picture of what's going on. The tendency is that they will help figure out and solve problems for you.

Communication is a two way process. You don't simply tell your staff what to do - you must get feedback. Make sure that they've understood what you've said. They should be able to repeat, in their words, the general thought of your message.

3. Delegate - You simply can't do everything on your own. I used to do everything on my own. I had this "know it all" complex. Have you ever experienced that? You want to do everything? You can't seem to rely on people?

Well it will be that way until you realize, you've got to let go. You've got to let them learn on their own and make mistakes. It will take much longer than just doing stuff on your own but the benefits will ultimately outweigh the momentary costs.

This became evident during the trip itself. While in the training sessions, I had some important projects that needed immediate attention. You know what? I called my trusted staff in Manila and she handled most of the tasks I requested. She's learned to work on her own - cause she knows the bigger picture.

To effectively delegate, give them a clear picture of the situation, define specific tasks and deadlines, then get their feedback. Simple formula that works.

Be Creators of Leaders

Ultimately, your goal as a leader is to develop other leaders. You replicate yourself in them.

What about you? What will happen in the office when your staff are able to do what you do? Should you be insecure? Of course not.

You become bigger than who you are. Always think, you'll eventually move on to bigger and better things yourself. Your staff will be where you were as you evolve and grow beyond your current standing. Be more than where you are.

Makes sense?

By the way, thank you very much to our hosts in Legazpi City. A tribute to you: