1. What is the shape of the “perfect” leader and does he or she exist?
A perfect leader is someone who can motivate and get the best out of those around him. A perfect leader is an excellent delegator and can identify the right tasks for each member of an organization, in order to use that persons strengths and allow them to succeed. A perfect leader is a superb communicator; he is able to perfectly align the goals of a person in the organization with the outward mission of that organization. There really is no perfect leader because a leader is human. Any leader can never accomplish his mission 100% of the time and maximize his resources 100% of the time.
2. How can leaders maintain themselves to stay motivated?
That is a great question. It very difficult to stay motivated sometimes, especially in the face of an adverse economy or a mature product line. That is why it is always important to look for what is coming next. That may be coming up with new product lines for your current customers or diversifying into different regions or market segments. Always keeping things fresh and challenging is the key to staying motivated.
3. Does every manager need to be a leader?
Every manager doesn’t need to be good leader to be effective, but it doesn’t hurt. I have seen managers that are very good at the daily operations of a business, just delivering on commitments with the resources at hand. These managers don’t necessarily have a vision for the future they operate in the here and now. That is ok we need people like that also.
4. Are there people whose traits make them unfit to be a leader?
There are few rather obvious answers to this question. People who are lazy or apathetic can never be a good leader, but it is the less obvious traits that you have to watch out for. Some individuals are extremely motivated, which is great for leadership; however they are only out for personal achievement and that does not make for a good leader. A leader has to be driven for the success of the entire organization not just themselves.
5. In which way do you see that new technologies will affect leadership and leaders?
New technologies are great and they always embraced by leaders. Current technological trends make communication and dissemination of information increasingly rapid. This is great to help leaders deliver a clear vision and keep everyone operating towards the same goal.
6. What is the relationship between leaders and followers?
To be an effective leader you also have to be a good follower. You don’t start out as a leader in an organization you work towards it. A leader has to understand the wants and goals of those that they are leading. A leader is completely ineffective if no one wants to follow them.
7. Is there any trend that could be called “the new leader”? Or have things really not changed that much over the years?
Essentially things haven’t changed that much. The only difference now is that it is much easier for key personnel to move to different organizations. The new leader has to be cognizant of this when mentoring and dealing with talent within the organization, always providing opportunity and compensation for members of the organization that should be retained.
8. Does a leader need power? How can a leader avoid being corrupted by the power?
A leader has power. Without power in certain areas it is impossible to lead. If a leader is corrupted my power the market will correct for it. The leader will either be removed, the company will fail, or they will be prosecuted.
9. Some say leaders must divide their time in three parts: finances, quality, and relationships. What are your thoughts on this?
I think that is pretty accurate. An effective leader has to have their hand in all parts of the business. They may not be involved in the day to day operation of every part, but they certainly should know what is going on.
10. What’s the worst fault a leader can have?
Hubris, a leader must credit those around them for an organizations success. A leader must remain humble and not take themselves too seriously. After all, the organization is greater than they are.
11. As far as communication is a key point, how can a shy person be a leader?
A truly shy person would have a very difficult time being a true leader. With the advent of email and other non direct communication, a shy person can be an effective manager without confronting people verbally.
12. If so much success is credited to leadership, why do most say that are there so few real leaders in companies?
I think what people are referring to is that there are few people willing to make unpopular decisions. It is this courage to take risks that are lacking. This is driven by the earnings cycle. So much attention is paid to quarterly objectives that longer term goals are lost. If a leader makes a long term decision that positions the company in 5 years that person may not be around to see it if quarterly goals are not met.
13. The role of principles of leadership is so extensive that it seems impossible. Is a good leader a kind of superman or superwomen?
It may seem that a great leader is super human, but this is hardly the case. A great leader has a clear vision and a drive to get there. This may mean working long hours, sleeping less time, and covering a wide range of functions, but when the objective is obtained it is well worth it.
14. Is a military model of leadership adequate to any company, as far as it based most on authority and discipline?
This model only works for an organization that operates well established and unchanging product line and even then eventually the organization would be run down and taken over by competitors. It is important to nurture inspiration and always be looking for way to be done better. This is the key to the long term success of any organization.
15. What are your thoughts on an ideal percentage of leaders in a company? Can an “excess” of leaders turn into a problem?
You can never have enough leaders in an organization. Everyone can be a leader of there area. If every one is both a leader and a follower than you have created a nimble organization that can easily adapt to change and quickly implement best practices.
16. What is better for a company that does not have huge sums to invest in training? To try to build a company of leaders or concentrate on building a good team of efficient managers?
The best thing to do is to hire very smart people. They will always find the resources that they need to be effective at their jobs. You will always have the most successful organization, because at the end of the day your people are your product.
17. Can someone be a good leader, but not a good manager?
This is common in large organizations, where the leader is there for vision and motivation but not daily operations. This type of leader selects individuals for specific areas and then leaves them alone.
18. Is there any index of success for turning common managers into leaders?
It all depends on the manager if this person can select a direction for the organization and effectively convey it to others then they can lead them.
19. How do you keep people’s loyalty in a company?
By publicly recognizing them for there achievements and benefit to the organization. When people feel that they are needed and that they are contributing then they will be loyal.
20. One of the main trends in the new economy is people working with each other over long distances, connected to work by the internet. How can one be a leader with much less eye-to-eye contact?
This can be hard. It is important to stay in constant communication by way of phone and email and listening to concerns and suggestions. When there is eye-to-eye contact it is important to maximize this time by going over a wide range of business.
