What are the keys to leadership? In a corporate setting, this question has been debated, analyzed, experienced, and synthesized from various leadership theories and programs. The consensus is that leadership is typically defined as a behavior that influences others to do something by giving genuine purpose, direction, motivation, and inspiration. It is not necessarily about delivering desired outcomes, a technological innovation, or a personal quality; rather, it is more of an art of influencing, persuading, inspiring, and motivating people to achieve specific goals.
To illustrate this art in action, consider a situation where a team is set out on a hike in the woods. There are no physical references, no maps, no detailed plan, and no leadership plans in place to guide them. It’s quite easy to get off track and find yourself climbing some unexpected hills. Rather than attempting to gather momentum, moving at the right pace is much more efficient and prevents you from taking too much risk.
Similarly, when leaders are traveling from one elevated location to another, they must also be aware of their current position and any potential dangerous flaws that could cause issues on the way. Imagination is key here – imagine being in a hazardous aircraft at 50,000 feet and how likely it is that you might not spot an issue before it is too late. The leader must therefore have an acute awareness of all relevant factors to assess before deciding on a course of action.
For some, the art of leadership involves rising to the occasion and rising to the challenge. Others prefer routine and prefer to just do what they are told. Some leaders find themselves instinctively attuned to uncomfortable or even dangerous situations while others are more objective and can deal with most anything. Altitudes play an important role in both ways: some leaders are comfortable working at low altitudes whereas others need to gain altitude to handle challenging situations.
What makes altitudes such a big problem for leaders? The effects of altitude sickness include dizziness, nausea, headaches, lack of concentration, and disorientation. In addition to these physical symptoms, people experiencing altitude sickness tend to suffer from cognitive problems such as confusion, frustration, fear, and worry. Altitude sickness does not just affect altitude; it can affect a person’s emotions and behavior. The effects of altitude sickness can lead to:
The best place for a Leadership Coach would be an area where they can work with others who are leaders and are also experiencing some form of pressure. Such individuals will not be afraid to express their opinions and can give priceless advice. This type of coaching would help to identify where the Leadership Trainer needs to improve in their skills. Leadership Coaches are excellent at identifying weaknesses and developing new skills.
Leaders must avoid the following behaviors when working in areas that require them to lead. A Leadership Coach can teach leaders how to lead by making them aware of their own inattention, fear, laziness, and inattention to details. A Leadership Trainer can help them learn to lead like a professional, by training them to listen carefully to the needs of followers. A Leadership Trainer can also help readers by reminding them to take short-term goals, rather than long-term ones. They should also learn to set appropriate goals and to measure their success. When they are able to set realistic goals, leaders can begin to develop habits that make them feel competent and effective.
In order for a business or organization to effectively utilize leadership, individuals must have good communication skills. Good leaders are great communicators and this skill is an important part of effective leadership. This means leaders should learn to listen to the needs of team members and then use this information appropriately. Team members want to feel like a valuable part of the team, and leaders need to recognize this and show concern for them.
