PERSEF blog on the Ideal Leader

The Ideal leader seeks to serve instead of being served by others. He puts his time and his skills to use to ensure that the mission is accomplished, the work done.

He is willing to be corrected by his subordinates, and treats them with respect. However, he is not a pushover; he is kind by default and firm only when necessary. Whatever happens, he is still in charge and running the show.

The Ideal leader not only focuses on the 'now', he is also the one who visualizes the future. As leader, he must motivate his subordinates to work hard, and work with a passion. He is the one who projects the goal of success and foresees future problems.

Being a leader, he takes the initiative to make the work better, to improve time and again. What does not work must be taken away. What works must be made even better. He must be in on a continual search for excellence (and not perfection.)

As leader, he must also know how to reward his subordinates. He must know how to give praise, when to give praise, and what praise to give. Where credit is due, he will not keep it from being credited. He does not want glory for himself, only what's best for the entire group.

And as a leader, he must understand the working of his group better than anyone else. He must know who among his memebrs will work better with which other members, who would perform better when alone, and what would keep the group together, united in spirit. Above all, he must have nothing but the highest care and concern for each and every one of his members.

For people won't care what you know if they know that you care.