Steps Toward a Leadership Breakthrough

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By Dr. John C. Maxwell

I believe that a leader faces many hurdles, however he or she becomes stronger and more accurate at every leap. Begin the process by practicing the following five steps.

1. Personal Growth.

Leadership, just as life, is a journey. You must continue to learn in order to lead. Each day I try to learn something, file something and teach something. I learn from reading books, listening to tapes or meeting with other leaders. I file the best quotes and stories that I find, which improves my work as an author and speaker. I also learn a great deal from teaching. My audience lets me know if I am connecting and helping them with the lessons I give.

As a leader, you need to develop your own personal growth plan. Include resources and experiences that will help you grow professionally as well as personally. The desire to grow is the first important step toward a leadership breakthrough.

2. Responsibility.

One of the differences between a leader and a follower is the willingness to accept responsibility. A leader takes on the challenge and takes responsibility for the outcome. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. said, "I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty."

As a leader, you must become more concerned with your responsibility than your rights. People who take responsibility get the job done, go the extra mile, are driven by excellence, and produce regardless of the situation.

3. Connection.

As a leader, your relationships with your team members will determine the effectiveness of the team. Before you will be able to rally the efforts of your followers, you need to find out where they are, move toward them, and connect with them.

Remember: you can connect with people and lead them only if you value them.

Here are some ways to connect: 1) make getting to know your people a priority; 2) look for things that you and your team members have in common such as hobbies, experiences, interests; 3) respect differences in opinions or personalities; 4) find out what motivates your people; and 5) include your team in the leadership process by asking for their ideas and suggestions.

4. Resolve.

Truly effective leaders must know their priorities and be able to concentrate their time and energy on meeting goals. A leader who knows his or her priorities but lacks concentration knows what to do but never gets it done. A leader who has concentration but no priorities has excellence without progress.

I have found that I am most productive and successful when I concentrate 70 percent of my time and energy on my strengths, 25 percent on new things, and 5 percent on areas of weakness. Learn what you do well that brings the greatest results and make it your priority, and dedicate the balance of your time to growth.

5. Positive Attitude.

When you are leading a group of people, your attitude is extremely important. Because attitudes are contagious, your team will recognize your attitude and adapt to the example you set. If you appear irritated about the challenges your team faces, then your team members will to become irritated too.

Your progress and the chance for success will be hindered if your attitude isn't right. It is impossible for us to tailor our situations to fit our lives, but it is possible to tailor our attitudes to fit our situation.

Tailoring your attitude may take a lot of work. Start by surrounding yourself with positive pictures, sayings and people. Read motivational books. Then try to achieve a goal every day. Your attitude will become more positive as you learn and sense that you are making progress.

Leadership develops from the inside out. Achieving a breakthrough works the same way. You have the choice to become a more effective leader in the New Year. It may mean letting go of the past and moving forward with a new focus, but you'll be glad you started moving in a new direction as you see the benefits of reaching your leadership potential.

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This article is used by permission from Dr. John C. Maxwell's free monthly e-newsletter 'Leadership Wired' available at www.INJOY.com.

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