A LIttle Bit of Everything: Our Leaders

The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

February Issue 112

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Article Provided By: Gaylene Smith of McBride Career Group

For better or worse, today (January 20, 2017) Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45^th President of the United States of America; and I, like millions of others, tuned in to watch the events of the day that were happening, not only on the balcony of the White House, but around the word. Today was a day when most of the world took a little pause, perhaps said a little prayer, and wondered how the next four years would play out.

I didn’t plan to watch it, but much like a horrific car wreck that spread carnage across the highway, I was unable to advert my eyes. (Guess you know my opinion on the businessman, TV personality, and now politician.) Regardless if you watched the inauguration as a Trump support or protester, the outcome remains the same. Donald Trump is now in a role that is often referred to as Leader of the Free World.

John Maxwell said, “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” That’s what leadership skills are such a valuable commodity to employers. A strong leader can take a ho-hum team and inspire and motivate them to become so much better. A great leader will empower others to learn more, do more, be more. Strong leaders don’t march in front of the crowd expecting cheers and accolades. Pomp and circumstance don’t matter to them. True leaders can be found in the crowd and behind the crowd. Encouraging, motivating and inspiring the best in each of us. We all know that we are more likely to put in effort and hours for someone we respect, like and believe in.

It doesn’t matter if we are working at the till in a fast food franchise, on an assembly line, in a desk at school, in a corner office on the top floor of Trump Tower, or sweeping the floor in that same tower: our leaders will influence our day to day actions. I don’t mind working extra hours for someone that acknowledges and appreciates my effort but don’t expect a worker to do more than necessary for someone that they don’t respect or like. I once worked for someone that had a platform built for her desk so that when you were called into her office you were forced to look up to her. Yes, I had to tilt my head up to look her in the eyes but she was someone I could never look up to. She never once asked how can I help you succeed in your job? Never said good try or good effort. Never acknowledge her staff in a positive manner to other departments. No, she just said, “If you don’t like it leave – you are all replaceable”. She motivated with fear of loss of income. Guess what, her department had the lowest production rate and the highest number of days taken off by staff. She also had the highest rate of staff turnover. I don’t think there was one person in the department that was inspired to do more than the bare minimum to get the job done. We would have done better without a leader.

On the other side of the coin I have been blessed to work for individuals that had fantastic leadership skills. These were the ones that took the time to ask how they could help me be better at my job. These were the ones that encouraged me to develop new skills and challenged me to grow in my career. They didn’t worry that I would one day be better than them - they strived to make that happen. From these leaders, you happily drank the corporate Kool-Aid and then asked for seconds.

The good news for employees, job seekers and possible the free world is leadership skills can be learned. Poor leaders can learn and change and become better leaders – perhaps even great leads. Old dogs can learn new tricks, and hopefully, so can presidents and if they are not able to lead there will always hopefully be someone to say you’re fired even if it might take four years.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, and may not be those of McBride Career Group, the author’s husband, parents and definitely not those of the mother-in-law’s boyfriend. (Which makes for great supper conversation.)