What is effective Leadership Contingent upon?

Just got back from my niece’s Birthday party. She’s 3 years old now – and I remember the day she was born like it was a few months ago. I clearly remember going with the family to the Hospital that night. All the nurses and staff doing their jobs to ensure everything would go as “smoothly” as possible. It’s interesting how once the Doctor arrived, a sense of everything “being in control” set in. Looking back now, I wonder: would “any” doctor set the same tone? Was it because those nurses and staff where so familiar with that doctor, that it made things seem like clockwork? Maybe. We can all agree that there are standard medical procedures. I’m sure they’ve been developed over the years to limit any risks of staff/nurse/doctor misunderstandings and miscommunications. For a moment, let’s put it in the light of “leadership” – that is, if the Doctor was the “Leader” envisioning a healthy baby delivery (and happy Mom, Dad, etc.), how effective would he be if this was his first delivery, and if none of the staff had ever him? Would all the “standard procedures” smooth it all out? – Or would there be “friction” and miscommunication ?

Other than medical dramas – I am not much for spending time in Hospitals. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to have to work with the pressure of having human lives entrusted to your hands. I cannot even place myself in such an imaginary scenario where I would have to influence a group’s behavior based on my prognosis to try to save someone… and what if I were wrong? How do I live with myself? I’m sure most of us have dealt with pressure in the workplace in some sort, shape and form. Most of us may have had to make quick decisions – right, wrong and indifferent and live with the consequences.

Does “One size fit all” ?

I thought finding a wrist brace for my injured right hand would be easy. Isn’t it bad enough to struggle doing all with my left hand? Or at most contort my grip so that I don’t feel the excruciating pain? Sure – I just spent what felt like a half hour in the pharmacy isle finding the right support for my sprained wrist. There are big ones, small ones, some with “breathing materials”, others with extra support, reversible, expensive and more expensive. Oh – and just when I find the one I like, they only have it for the left hand. Just my luck.

There are so many items in our lives that are adjustable, reversible and “made to fit”. Even the “one size fits all” Baseball cap needs adjusting. If only we could approach issues in our lives just as simply. Or can we? We adjust our behaviors to those around us depending on the situation. For example, we don’t treat our new co-workers or boss the same way we treat our life-long friends or family. We adjust the way we behave to an optimal level for the situation.

As far as leadership goes - is it a “one size fits all” or completely “adjustable”? No doubt leadership requires a firm vision and clear direction. However, it also needs to be flexible –

Are you a "Born Leader" ?

I can’t help but wonder when I work with people: “Is it in You?” Like the Gatorade® commercials... At the same time – I wonder: “Is it in me?”. After hearing and reading different takes on "Natural vs. Learned" Leadership, I am still curious and want to learn more.

One thing is certain: those who have been in military service, or have played in some type of sport that requires team efforts have a better understanding of what leadership is. Not the textbook definition or the attributes as listed in books and data discovered by historians. They usually experience first-hand and by example what it is to have an objective or a vision and driving towards making it real. Whether it’s winning a championship of some sort, or taking over enemy territory – there was a goal, a strategy (story) and the drive to bring it to fruition. The strategy/story could have been presented by the coach, team captain, Sergeant, General etc… In any case, the Leader in the situation: was he born to do this or did he/she learn it?

Entrepreneurship, Leadership and feeling Important.

When I was younger (everyday it feels like it was further and further ago) I thought being an entrepreneur meant you had your own business and that you had all sorts of money to back it up. The more and more I learned about the “entrepreneurial spirit” – the more I realized we can all be entrepreneurs. How is that? We all don’t have the time or the money to go into business for ourselves. Understood. I don’t either - not right now. There was a time that I did partake in a family business (making cookies!)– but that is a whole other story.
So, what is the deal? The way I see it, no matter where I work, or what I do, I work for myself: Fernando, Inc. Why? Having this ownership and responsibility of my “services” makes the subconscious believe in a greater good than “working for someone else”. Furthermore, working for one’s self is, in a way, part of the leadership attributes people seek anyway. You’ve taken charge of your own life and are capable of seeing the big picture. Just need to widen the view from yourself and include those around you. I am by no means a “sales person” – but we are all “salesmen” in some way or another. Think about it: Whenever you interview for a job, you are trying to sell your services (Your name Here, Inc.). That is right, providing service and support to all of those that will be working toward the common corporate goal. After all, to lead is to serve. No?

Special Section: Who Were History's Great Leaders?

As promised... here's a great article from Time/CNN - apparently written the same month and year I was born.
Special Section: Who Were History's Great Leaders?

Being a "human leader" and earning trust.

How difficult is it to be a “perfect leader”? Quite honestly– I don’t think they exist. I will never try to be one, nor should you. History has no records of one. Of course there have been great leaders that have built nations and shaped the world we live in today. However, they were all human. Just like you and me – filled with emotions, personality quirks and nuances the history books will less than likely record. (I promise to make a post with a link to History’s greatest Leaders next.)
You probably wouldn’t be reading this if you had no interest in learning and growing as I am. However, we do need to recognize that we are human and we all make mistakes.

How do I know I am leading?

As I read more and more about leadership, I keep coming across a common thread. If you are to be a leader, you need to have followers. Granted. However, why are they following? There has to be a genuine reason why people follow. Sometimes, it’s because the leader is in a position of power, and those around him/her have to choice but to follow. Is it managing then? Personally, I want people to follow me because they want to – not because they have to.
In my 12 + years of working in industry, I look back at the times that I’ve led local teams and global teams and wonder: “Did they follow me because they wanted to? Or… Because it was their job?” More than likely, it was the latter. But, then again, I was more of a manager than a leader.