Essence of Leadership

Each of us, at some time in our lives, will have a leadership role - as parents, teachers, employers, supervisors, committee chairs, organizational leaders, or any one of many possibilities. No matter what type of leadership role we have, one of our primary responsibilities will be to provide service through the development and nurturing of strong, motivated teams. We must also communicate our visions to those teams in inspiring, compassionate, and empowering ways.

Team Building

In working as both a therapist and coach during the past two decades, I have often found it essential to gain and organize the support of my patients' and clients' family members around the needs of their loved ones. In my community, I have led numerous fund-raising events to help organizations and individuals. Each of these situations involved a type of team building. In building strong motivated teams, our faith, visions, and a clear focus on the tasks at hand allow us to inspire support and action for which every team member can take credit.

Service to Others

The essence of strong leadership always involves service, focusing on solutions for improving lives. The leader and his or her team are both inspired and empowered by the mission at hand and the benefits provided, whether to a family, business, or community.

American actress Gillian Anderson said it well: "Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need."

Communication of Vision

An empowered leader is a positive role model. He or she has a vision encompassing the values, purpose, goals, and mission of his or her group. In a compassionate and caring way, he or she can communicate this vision to a team, keeping the collective focus of the group on the ideals to be achieved.

An effective leader's communication with any individual, in a one on one conversation, is equally effective. The leader compliments the team member and gives credit to that individual for his or her contribution. Communication of one's vision with confidence and enthusiasm is always at the heart - the essence - of leadership.

Today's issue contains many helpful tips for increasing leadership effectiveness. I'd like to draw your attention to the article below, The Top 10 Strategies for Becoming the Leader that Others Want to Follow, by Bea Fields. Bea shares ten straightforward and practical strategies to help you become an inspiring and effective leader in the workplace.

May all of your experiences as a leader be inspiring and empowering to you, your team, and the people you serve.


Wishing you the best of success!