leadingtoday.org

Leadership Tip of the Month

December 2006

Copyright 2006 ã weLEAD, Inc.

Where Do You Fit in the Leadership Continuum?

The kind of leader you are is always difficult to determine in an objective way. A number of tests and surveys are available to indicate the traits, personality, behaviors and tendencies you might possess as a leader. Below is an informal tool for you to analyze the leadership philosophy you model to others. By looking at leadership as a continuum, we can designate two contrasting philosophies. At one end is the extreme authoritarian leader with the associated behaviors and attitude using this approach. At the other end is the ideal servant leader with the behaviors and attitude modeled by this mind-set. Of course, few individuals are at the ends of the continuum and most of us fall somewhere in between. We encourage you to take some time to go down the list of "traits" and see what your personal example and behavior reveals about your leadership. As you go down the list, ask yourself if you lean more toward the autocratic approach or toward that of a servant leader.

Autocratic Leader 5<<<< 4 <<<< 3 <<<< 2 <<<< 1 <<<< ( ) >>>> 1 >>>> 2 >>>> 3 >>>> 4 >>>>5 Servant Leader

Traits Extreme Authoritarian Leader Ideal Servant Leader

Most Important Assets Large buildings and wealth Their mission & followers

Leader's Main Purpose Self-promotion Promoting others

Material acquisition and prestige Growing people

Use of Power Limited to select few Power shared

Leadership limited to the top Leadership exists everywhere

Punitive to humiliate & control Corrective to restore and build

Decision-making Roles Limited to a select few Shared with responsible people

Personal Fulfillment Influence & prominence Mentoring and developing others

Leadership Style Aloof Approachable

Stern and rigid persona Allow themselves to be vulnerable

Stubborn know-it-all Open minded

Command and control Consultative

Only closest aids are important All followers are important

Gives directives Asks lots of questions

Reclusive and secretive Open two- way communication

They are the center of attention Mission is the center of attention

Selfish and arrogant Generous and humble

Work Environment Competitive and fearful Team based and cooperative

People can’t wait to leave People love to work and help

Constant turnover of people Stable environment

Management Time Spends a lot of time babysitting Spends a lot of time mentoring &

encouraging others

Morals & Ethics Their example not important Their example is most important

Special perks and rules apply Same rules and ethics for all

Code of ethics meant to control Code of ethics meant to ensure order

Followers are disposable Followers are greatest asset

Accountability Followers must live to higher standard Choose to live by higher values

They are special and rules don't apply Believe same rules apply to all

Policies Complex and many As few as absolutely needed

to provide order & avoid litigation

Termination Process Abrupt and stern Patient & compassionate

This is just one of the tools we use at our weLEAD leadership seminars. We hope you find it to be both revealing and beneficial. If you would like more information about our seminars, you can find out more at our seminars link.

For weLEAD, this is Greg Thomas reminding you that it was Harry Truman who said, "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

On the weLEAD Website you will find over 70 other free helpful leadership tips. They are all available in a text version or as an MP3 audio!