10 Laws to be A Great Leader

Here's an interesting article i have read from Toastmaster Magazine ed. Sept 2006 on "Laws for Positive Leadership-How to be a leader others want to follow" by Victor Parachin.

Leaders who are positive will be able to inspire, motive and unite others which then could produce tremendous results. Therefore, to make sure a harmonious group whereby others would be obliged to follow your words. There are a basic 10 laws to follow:

1. Give more than you expect others to give.
A good leader will always help his/her teammates if they need guidance. Therefore, the leader must be able to give more persistence, passion, and solutions in order to guide the members. A good leader will ask people to do the things that he or she will do themselves.

2. Combine optimism and perseverance.
When the team is having trouble, it is important for the leaders to decide the end of the team. HE or she must remain positive and persistent in the tasks given, and must be able to set the right example and experience to the members. Members will then not only respect him or her, but will tend to follow his or her steps in remaining optimism and perseverance.

3. See everyone as a diamond in rough.
"There are no poor performers, only poor leaders who fail to find ways of helping others succeed." Leaders must understand that each of his members have different talents and skills; and treat them as 'diamond in rough'.

4. Express appreciation; accept responsibility.
Some leaders would accept credits quickly, but they will blame others even faster. However, a good leader will do the reverse pattern. They will give their members the credit and prepare to accept responsibility when a task fails.

5. Remain balanced.
Some leaders are ego. They become proud with their capability, power and position in the teams. Therefore, it is important for leaders to remain balanced in maintaining relationships between the teammates and them. Joey Cheek, a speed-skating champion who once won a gold Olympic medal once said:"Keep things in perspective. I've seen the world and met amazing friends through my sports. But it's not that big a deal. I mean, I skate around the ice in tights. What is important is what I do off the ice".

6.Show respect for people around you.
Treating your teammates with respect will make your teammates to do the same thing on you. People who feel that they are respected are confidence with themselves, be able to do tasks quickly and efficiently and mostly are happier and more cooperative with others.

7. Treat everyone as family.
By treating everyone as family, people will feel much more comfortable in working in and as a team.

8. Be a source of inspiration.
When appropriate, share your wisdom; what you experienced and knew with others. Make sure they do not repeat your mistakes done and be able to do even better than you.

9. Stress cooperation not competition.
When a person hates another person, it becomes a competition among them; they always compete in whatever they do in the team. As a result, works become less efficient. On the other hand, cooperation among the teammates and the leaders will definitely ensure the quality of the teams.

10. Maintain a sense of humor.
No people will like to be with a leader who is serious all the time. Take things easy; and enjoy the tasks along with your members.

Liew Hui Qing, Jaime