4 Quadrants of Leadership

Directing- An example of Directing leadership in my life is in my calling as Ward Prayer Co-Chair.  In this position.  It is highly directive, but low supportive.  My partner and I choose someone each week to say the prayer and give a spiritual thought.  We do not coach them or have to support them very much.  They are all highly capable, so we just give them the order to prepare a thought and pray, and they get it done.\

Coaching- An example of coaching in my life was as a trainer on my mission.  I had to direct my companion what to do plus support him in it a great deal.  He was just learning Spanish and was brand new to the mission, so I had to give him a lot of direction and support him, too.  If I did not direct him he would not know how to go about the work, and if I did not support him, he would find it difficult to stay motivated.  Also, I listened to his opinions, but in the end the decision was mine.

Supporting- An example of supporting in my life was as a district leader on my mission.  The missionaries in my district were quite capable.  They knew what to do. They just needed support, so I would mostly just get them excited about going out and spreading the word.

Delegating- An example of delegating in my life was in my job when I was in quality control.  Some of the customer support representatives were very capable and motivated.  I would hardly have to coach them at all.  They would just do their own work, but we would meet together once  a week to talk about how they were doing.

22 Jan 10- Leader Interview

For my interview, I interviewed my mom and asked her about her leadership role as a mother and leader of our family.  I asked her what prepared her to be a leader, and she told me that the experience of being an oldest child (having to be a leader to her siblings), having other good leaders to look to, and being taught a good sense of responsibility helped.  I asked her what are some of the most valuable qualities to a leader.  She responded: Putting the people you lead first, having a strong conviction of your trying to accomplish, and being able to see the big picture (vision).  I asked how the examples of others affected her as she seeks to lead, and she said that the people she has tried to emulate have strong convictions, are selfless, do not compromise their beliefs, and are aware of individuals and their needs.  I also asked if she had advice for others seeking to lead, and she said to make sure to be prayerful and find out what the Lord's will for you and those you lead is and to always put the needs of those you lead first.

I learned a great deal from my mother, and I know that I will be able to use her advice and example in the various leadership roles in which I find myself.

Alexander the Great and Leadership

This week as I learned of Alexander the Great and his leadership attributes, I learned about how to be a better leader amongst my friends.  There are great leadership attributes in Alexander, but in the end his motives were wrong.  He wanted to win just to win, noit to help his followers and friends.  That is important when being a leader.  You cannot just win to win.  The sacrifice is too great.  If you have to make sacrifices that hurt those you lead, you better have a great purpose and meaning in you motives.  That's what I learned, that a true leader leads his followers into battle, real or figurative with a good motive in mind.  One that will bless them.