So what exactly is leadership?
The definition that I like best is, “a leader communicates in such a way about the project, purpose and aspiration of what he/she is promoting, that others see value in it for themselves, and they willingly give their time, energy, and resources to the leader’s project, purpose or, aspiration."
No decisions in life are made without emotion. As I was growing up in the business world, I used to hear comments about managers who had no feelings, they were “cold as a fish." As I went along my journey of life I discovered this was totally untrue, and that everyone has feelings and emotions, and it is these emotions that drive our decisions.
If you are a project manager, or team leader, parent, or family organizer, the challenge for you is to enroll the people who are involved in the project, including the end user, and that customers/family members see value in what you are promoting for themselves.
I would like you to do a little exercise that will give you some practice in enrolling. Take a project (it doesn't have to be a big one), something that you really want and would like to do in either your professional or personal life. Share the project with people who will be involved and ask them “If we were to do this project, what would be important for you? What would you want to get from being involved in such an activity?”
Then listen, without interruption, to what they have to say.
Communication is the biggest challenge, and opportunity, that I see in organizations, and in families.
“Leadership and communication are very much aligned.”
“Leaders inspire others to motivate themselves.”