Being a truly effective leader is often quite a challenging endeavor. Not only does it require a great deal of time and emotional commitment, as well as having an essential vision that leads one to successfully complete certain necessary goals, but it also requires someone to be willing to put the needs of others first and look at issues and elements not simply from one’s own experiences and points of view, but to look at a much broader point of view with an open mind, and trying to avoid preconceived notions or biases. General George S. Patton said, “Look at the things people are cynical about, and you can often discover what they’re missing.”
1. No individual enters a leadership position ideally qualified and trained in all the necessities that being an effective leader requires. However, what often sets great leaders apart from aspiring ones is their attitude and their ability to effectively listen to the views of others. The next big idea for many ineffective leaders is the last thing someone told them. They jump from position to position, either out of personal weakness, lack of understanding, or a desire to be liked. When I say that it’s important for a great leader to be open-minded, I don’t mean that a leader should subdue her opinion simply by accepting what someone else says as gospel. Great leaders realize that listening and questioning is necessary, not just to agree, but as part of the decision-making and information-gathering process. The truly visionary leader, however, realizes that he must not personally make a decision as a cynic or because he listens to a cynic, but must listen to all parties to make the best informed decision.
2. Many people who rise to leadership positions feel so overwhelmed by what others expect of them that they try to hide and protect themselves, blindly following detractors. There is perhaps nothing as dangerous as having a leader react to a cynic or cynics, or as one!
3. Visionary leaders make decisions by weighing the pros and cons and then prioritizing. The great leader organizes his action to support the implementation of his vision so that he can achieve as many of his worthwhile goals as possible. As I have explained while coaching people for leadership for over thirty years, if a leader needs to identify one quality or trait (other than absolute integrity), it would be truly effective communication skills, as well as a willingness to use all available means to communicate effectively. That means listening to all sides first, and having the ability to assess and differentiate between someone who is simply a pessimist and cynic, and someone who raises genuine concerns that need to be identified.
Great leaders must be cautiously open-minded. They shouldn’t think they have all the answers and should use excellent listening skills to improve their focus and effectiveness.