Of all the necessities for effective leadership, there is probably none as essential as for a leader to maintain an optimistic, forward- thinking, can- do, positive attitude.
As I have trained leaders and potential leaders these past thirty plus years, I always emphasize that to succeed, a leader must not let the naysayers, those negative it- won't- succeed types that every organization has, bring one's spirits and attitude down.
The great leaders are always mentally prepared for the naysayers, anticipating their negative input while continuing their focus in a forward looking and positive thinking manner.
Jack Canfield wrote, "People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those that are doing it.
" 1.
Let's take the situation where a once great and still proud organization has seen a steady decline in its membership rolls, a corresponding drop off in its revenues, and a continuous period where there has been a relative dearth of true, effective leadership.
Unfortunately, this situation is to a large degree becoming the rule instead of the exception.
Finally, someone elected to leadership is a real leader.
That individual sees the big picture, and analyzes both the strengths and the weaknesses.
The real leader emphasizes thorough and clear communication, and has a plan for reinvigorating the organization that includes such things as evolving the organization's mission statement (to make it more relevant to today's society), re- involving lapsed members by reaching out to them and listening to their needs (and why they let their membership lapse), and creating programing and a mission that will attract potential new members (and sponsors/ donors, etc.
) to the organization.
Invariably, the naysayers throw roadblocks in the way, saying things such as "it's not how we do things," "our members wouldn't be interested," "nothing works because they don't care," or "it's not the good old days anymore," etc.
The great leaders anticipate this response, and have the inner strength and fortitude, as well as the self- confidence, to plow forward.
These naysayers generally will tell someone why something won't work or what's wrong with the idea, but almost never have a well formulated and thought out plan and idea to enhance the organization.
These negative people want everyone to believe that their point of view represents the majority, while in reality, it generally is merely the view of a negative but vocal minority.
2.
Event planners are always being told not to do something a particular way, because it won't work.
The naysayers often even tell the individual that many people have told them that they didn't like something, while that point of view is most often the naysayer's position.
Effectiveness requires the planner beware of this kind of negative feedback, and that the professional, effective planner always analyzes all aspects, and is prepared for contingencies.
Unfortunately, being surrounded by a percentage of negative individuals is a reality of leadership.
The difference between the great leaders and the also- rans is often in their ability to funnel and compartmentalize negative comments, without permitting them to adversely impact you!
As I have trained leaders and potential leaders these past thirty plus years, I always emphasize that to succeed, a leader must not let the naysayers, those negative it- won't- succeed types that every organization has, bring one's spirits and attitude down.
The great leaders are always mentally prepared for the naysayers, anticipating their negative input while continuing their focus in a forward looking and positive thinking manner.
Jack Canfield wrote, "People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those that are doing it.
" 1.
Let's take the situation where a once great and still proud organization has seen a steady decline in its membership rolls, a corresponding drop off in its revenues, and a continuous period where there has been a relative dearth of true, effective leadership.
Unfortunately, this situation is to a large degree becoming the rule instead of the exception.
Finally, someone elected to leadership is a real leader.
That individual sees the big picture, and analyzes both the strengths and the weaknesses.
The real leader emphasizes thorough and clear communication, and has a plan for reinvigorating the organization that includes such things as evolving the organization's mission statement (to make it more relevant to today's society), re- involving lapsed members by reaching out to them and listening to their needs (and why they let their membership lapse), and creating programing and a mission that will attract potential new members (and sponsors/ donors, etc.
) to the organization.
Invariably, the naysayers throw roadblocks in the way, saying things such as "it's not how we do things," "our members wouldn't be interested," "nothing works because they don't care," or "it's not the good old days anymore," etc.
The great leaders anticipate this response, and have the inner strength and fortitude, as well as the self- confidence, to plow forward.
These naysayers generally will tell someone why something won't work or what's wrong with the idea, but almost never have a well formulated and thought out plan and idea to enhance the organization.
These negative people want everyone to believe that their point of view represents the majority, while in reality, it generally is merely the view of a negative but vocal minority.
2.
Event planners are always being told not to do something a particular way, because it won't work.
The naysayers often even tell the individual that many people have told them that they didn't like something, while that point of view is most often the naysayer's position.
Effectiveness requires the planner beware of this kind of negative feedback, and that the professional, effective planner always analyzes all aspects, and is prepared for contingencies.
Unfortunately, being surrounded by a percentage of negative individuals is a reality of leadership.
The difference between the great leaders and the also- rans is often in their ability to funnel and compartmentalize negative comments, without permitting them to adversely impact you!
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