What makes an effective leader?

[Phoenix84]

I have a couple of questions I want to pose to the board that might be considered philosophical in nature, but I'm sure you guys can handle it

Anyway, what qualities do you think make someone an effective leader?

It can be a manager/supervisor in the workplace, a politician, a business leader, teacher, coach, or simply the leader of a family unit.

As follow up questions, what's your leadership/management style? And do you think you have what it takes to lead?

[Phoenix84]

Some qualities that immediately come to mind when thinking of a good leader.

1. Even keeled and composed. Leaders who get flustered, upset, angry, ect. break the image of leadership. I don't expect leaders to be emotionless zombies, but keeping a cool head is important. If they start freaking out then their followers would start freaking out.

2. Being fair. I realize you can never be totally fair, and everyone has biases, but I think good leaders are fair in their dealings and treat everyone as much the same as possible.

3. I think the best leaders are those who are likable. The best leaders I've seen are the ones you like so much you don't want to let them down. You somehow feel a personal connection to them, and therefore they bring out your best.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of right now.

[midjd]

I think charisma is key. Any leader is going to have to make unpopular decisions, or ask people to do things they don't want to do. But if you can do this in a way that makes them actually WANT to do it, your job becomes exponentially easier. (My boss is a pro at this - I keep hoping it will rub off on me, but so far no luck. )

A good leader should also be approachable.

[Regis]

Having a genuine interest in the well-being of each employee in addition to the company.

Somebody that you feel you're working WITH, not working for.

Uses the word "we". Rarely uses the word "I".

Willing to sacrifice for the good of the entire team.

Open and honest at all times, whether it's good news or bad news.

Quick to appreciate the efforts of others.

Takes responsibilities for any shortcomings of the team.

Agreed with the composure thing - a good leader is never out of control.

I hope I'm right on this as this tends to be my management style.

And I rose to the top of my engineering department and was department head before I was 30, owned my own successful company, sold that company for a tidy profit and am now the director of the most profitable department at our new place. I share all financial information with the others in our department. Will readily admit that I'm not as good at staying composed as I should. These qualities seem to have worked well for me.

[thyme4change]

A plan helps. If you can effectively communicate where you are going, and sell everyone that it is the way to go, people will clamor to follow you - even if you never get where you said you were going. But if you talk in circles and never say anything, it is a matter of time before people see through your BS and jump ship.

[Regis]

Agree with thyme on that one.

It's hard to get everyone pulling in the same direction when they don't know which direction they're supposed to be going.

[midjd]

A good leader doesn't belong in an upper level office looking down on his workers. He needs to be down there with them.
I would never ask an employee to do something I wouldn't do myself or didn't know how to do myself.

In most companies it is impossible for the higher-level managers to know how to do every job in the organization. That's why delegation exists. A CEO isn't going to be able to program code and input requisitions and do the books and market the product.

Now, I don't think a good leader is the one who throws all the grunt work to others simply because he doesn't want to do it - but there is something to be said for sticking to your talents and letting others stick to theirs.

[thyme4change]

In most companies it is impossible for the higher-level managers to know how to do every job in the organization. That's why delegation exists. A CEO isn't going to be able to program code and input requisitions and do the books and market the product.

I agree, but I've had CEO's who knew everyone's name and would go around about once a week and say "hi" and ask them how they were doing. A very warm person, you just wanted to help that person run the business.

Other high level managers I've known can't even remember my name when I've been introduced to them 10 times, and working on a high level project. They have an "ivory tower" attitude, and I can't accept that they understand the real problems of the business, nor do I respect their decisions about direction because they seem so out of touch.

[Phoenix84]

Regis has a good list. Good leaders make you feel like they're working with you not you working for them. They use "we" language a lot, and are willing to make sacrifices and pitch in with the grunts.

I also agree a good leader takes responsibility for the team. It's very demoralizing when a leader passes the blame. It's common in society today to pass the blame, I have immense respect for leaders who have the attitude the buck stops with them.

[Phoenix84]

I think I have some of the qualities of a good leader but not others.

I consider myself composed and even keeled, and able to view things objectively and be fair.

However, I'm not charismatic and have trouble with the empathy part. I also sometimes become too patient and willing to accept shortcomings more than I should.

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 5, 2012 12:58:22 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

I have a couple of questions I want to pose to the board that might be considered philisophical in nature, but I'm sure you guys can handle it

Anyway, what qualities do you think make someone an effective leader?

It can be a manager/supervisor in the workplace, a politician, a business leader, teacher, coach, or simply the leader of a family unit.

As follow up questions, what's your leadership/management style? And do you think you have what it takes to lead?

Among other things, someone who can get shit done.

My leadership style is one that delegates, uses the word "we" and is diplomatic. Highly organized and proactive, I'm the president of two different volunteer organizations, in addition to running my own business for 9.5 years.

[NancysSummerSip]

I've always said that I don't have to like you or agree with you all the time to respect you. But in order to accept you as a leader, I do have to respect you. First boss I ever had was that kind of leader. A lot of people did not like him. He had his abrasive moments, and he was a tough negotiator. But when he was on your side, he was 100% on your side. And he was a very fair guy, and a good listener. He also had a lot of experience in the business we were in, so when he spoke about something, you knew he knew his stuff. And he was not our pal, or our buddy or our BFF. He was an old-school boss. Not afraid to get his hands dirty, but also very good at knowing how to delegate and who to choose to get stuff done in the most efficient manner. I miss that.

I've checked around, and I understand from some folks I used to work with that he is still alive and well, and I may see him early next year at a social gathering of my old work cronies. I am looking forward to it.

I'm not likely to make a good leader. I don't think I am diplomatic enough. I don't have issues delegating, getting dirty, getting organized and meeting deadlines. I'm not nice about it if you don't follow directions, though.

[susanb]

Lots of good things mentioned.

The ability to delegate is another quality that good leaders need. When they fail to do so properly, they either create bottle necks because everything relies on their overworked plate or fail to follow up with their PM and projects fail.

[violagirl]

I have found it interesting that in any situation people naturally look to my husband to lead - especially in crises. He is always calm. Can think under pressure. For example, we have been at the scene of car accidents and people just look to him to lead. He does it politely and not in a "it's my way or the highway". He would make a good EMT or emergency room doctor.

I'm a great 2nd in command. I do not like to lead. I'll do it if i have to..but i'd rather be the one with the ideas and suggestions but not the ultimate decision maker.

[Apple]

So many great things on the list already that I agree with.

Some for me (in addition to others mentioned):

Someone who can admit they are not sure and say "I will find out" not make something up (because that nearly always gets found out, then no one will trust you later).

Someone who can use their people to their full advantage (in a good way), figuring out where to put the employee to help the employee shine (different people will shine in different areas, there are limitations to how much you can do this, but try).

Listen to new ideas--no, it may not be "your way", but see if it is a "good/better way" before just ruling it out. Some current leaders will shoot down ideas just because they didn't come up with it themselves, or don't like the person who did.

Be approachable and a cheerleader for people, but know when to say enough is enough and follow through with the hard stuff (to everything you can to help an employee improve, but if after years it's not happening, take the steps to get rid of that employee, don't just tolerate it--that just kills motivation for everyone else)

Put your crew above your own self-interest (not something people who are simply ladder-climbers are good at, but a good leader should be).

Do not act like you are "above" anyone. You don't have to have an upper office to act like this, and just because you do have an upper office doesn't mean you should act like this.

Along with the delegating, make it a point to know who you can go to to ask questions--network with your crew and others to have a good idea of who the "go to" guy is for things. If he can't answer, he probably knows exactly who can.

Never just say your crew is "too busy". If you truly are "too busy", give a timeline on when you can get something done or help out.

Communicate! With everyone, know what the other crew needs from you, let them know in advance that you need something from them.

Be damn good at your job.

Don't ask someone to do something you wouldn't do (I know this was mentioned earlier, but my point is not "I can't program so ask someone else", my point is: is it safe? is it legal? is it ethical? In these situations, if I wouldn't do it, why would I make someone else?)

Flip side--don't expect everyone else to be willing to do something you would. I am willing to work on hot equipment. I'm willing to climb up structures without fall protection or a ladder. I'm more than willing to work out of a basket, hanging from a crane, 150 feet in the air. I should not force someone else to do this if they have certain fears--it just makes it unsafe for them and anyone around them.

Admit when you are wrong (to go with "don't blame everyone else")


I try to bring all of this to the table. As far as respect from my coworkers I know it works. I have the respect of my bosses as well. There is a possible promotion coming up for the foreman job. I work with all men, blue-collar, several are full-blown redneck, men. I've had men say that women belong at home, but I can stay because I belong. I only know of two people who don't want me to get the foreman job, and they both want it for themselves. However, if they can't have it, both would rather see me in the position than the other one. People on other crews have been vocal and gone to my boss and told him it should go to me.

I had no desire at all to take on a leadership role, but, even when other people try to fight for it, I always seem to wind up in it anyway.

[Tiny]

I guess it depends on what kind of work the manager is managing... if it's people doing repetitive detail work the manager needs to keep everyone motivated and be fair. If the manager is managing a team of creative people then they need to be able to rely/trust their people's opinions about the work and rely/trust the their people to do their jobs (and not micromanage). They also need to know how to 'negotiate' with their team.

Nothing worse than a manager who just knows a task/part of a project should only take 7 hours - but when they ASK for feedback about the task the resounding reply is that it's a 3 or 4 day task (will an outline of WHY it will take that long) - but then the manager knows better and goes and schedules it as a 7 hour task with a completion date of tomorrow.

Been there, done that as a team member (not the manager). It didn't end well.

ADDED: I HATE being in charge - I'll quit if they make me be a project manager (or manager). I'm not management material.

[Phoenix84]

Interesting post Apple.

I bet you'll get the job, and be rolling in money before you know it You'll finally be able to be part of the 1%!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Someone who can deligate and then step back and let the person do the job they were deligated to do but is there to address any roadblocks t hat might come up.

That was the problem I ran into with the last PI I worked for. She had zero clue how the job iwas hired to do was done and expected me ot be able to walk in and do it like I had been there the entire time. I basically had to "train myself" without any clue what I was training myself to do. Then she got mad at me when I failed.

My current PIs knew I had no experience in 95% of what I was hired to do. I wasn't turned loose until they were sure I could manage on my own. I am pretty much running the lab completely on my own now. However they are there to guide me when it comes to anythign I am not familiar with.

Right now we are discussing drug stability studies which are completely foregin concept to me. They also have a shit ton of regulations I have to follow. My PI is walking me thru them so when we finally get the project underway I do it right the first time. Once I have it down he will back off.

My PI told me I allow him to do what he does best and that is make money.

I have nothing against PIs in the lab my first PI loved to do his own benchwork. But he left my stuff alone, he delegated that job to me and then backed off it.

It's when they want to be in the lab but have zero clue what is going on and still intend to mircomanage you that I have a problem with it. That's what cost me the job before this one.

Letting go is a problem I have as far as leadership, I am a control freak. However I've been getting better at it since I've had two fantastic summer students work with me over the past couple of years. It makes it a lot easier to let go and delegate when you can trust the person is going to do the job.

Before that I had one that if her name is mentioned I will shoot laser beams out of my eyeballs. I spent six months cleaning up her mess.

[Deleted]

there are different traits that make great leaders, but i have found one common thing in every great boss i have ever had

they knew what buttons to push on their employees to get the best out of them

your employees are all different, so no one thing works for all of them

knowing how to motivate, and get the best out of subordinates is what to me makes a great leader "great"

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

they knew what buttons to push on their employees to get the best out of them

Very true. My first boss recognized that I can be somewhat hyperactive so he gave me the job of monitoring the mouse colony because that is a high activity/energy consuming job.

He gave the immunohistochemistry job to the other technician who could sit stil for hours at the microscope and not move.

I still had to sit still at the microscope from time to time, he knew that it was important I learn patience in the lab too. It just wasn't my primary duty.

I also think being able to have a good poker face/voice is important too.

I mentioned the student who shall not be named, I was amazed at how effectively he got rid of her. I would have made her cry. There is no way I could have calmly booted her butt out of the lab.

[swamp]

When I was an Asst DA, I had an awesome boss.

He left us alone to do our jobs, trusted us completely, and gave us additional tasks that worked with our personalities. I was kind of the PR person in the office because I can play nice in the sandbox. Another guy who had a pretty abrasive personality but was an excellent researcher got all the research projects.

[Apple]

Dec 6, 2012 11:42:50 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Interesting post Apple.

I bet you'll get the job, and be rolling in money before you know it You'll finally be able to be part of the 1%!

Lol, thanks

I doubt I'll ever be part of the 1%, unless I marry well , but I did break 6 figures this year!! The 120 day promotion helped, but it was mostly from the buttload of overtime hours I put in. Not bad for a girl who got pregnant in high school (that was not directed at anyone, just something a lot of people looked down on me for for many, many years thinking I would be just another statistic).