Leadership

 At this time of year, Pilot Clubs are planning our transitions to a new club year. As Pilots, we strive to strengthen our clubs and communities. In order to put an organization in a position to grow effectively and on a consistent basis, a leader with the following characteristics in not only an effective leader, but also a transformational leader:

1. Internal motivation and self-management: Transformational leaders find motivation from within and use that as the driving force to effectively manage the direction of the organization. The best natural form of motivation is to love what you do and ensure that your values are aligned with the organization you work with.

2. The ability to make difficult decisions: Difficult decisions are part of being a leader. Transformational leaders do not back away or put off tough decisions. Difficult decisions are made easier when decisions align with clearly defined vision, values, goals and objectives.

3. Check their ego: When places in a position of leadership, it is easy to let your ego get the best of you. However, transformational leaders keep their ego in check and do not let it get in the way of doing what is best.

4. Organizational consciousness: Transformational leaders share the collective conscious of their organization. They understand what actions to take to spur innovation and make decisions that will create growth.

5. Willing to listen and entertain new ideas: Transformational leaders understand that success is a team effort and growth is derived from the willingness to be open and listen to ideas from all.

6. Inspiration: Inspiration comes not just from a formal motivational speech or simple recognition for a job well done, but by treating people as individuals and taking the time to understand what motivates and inspires them.

7. Visionary: Transformational leaders have the ability to not only effectively communicate the vision of the organization, but also get everyone to buy in and work toward that vision.

Transformational leaders constantly strive to have these characteristics. Developing these characteristics helps organizations to thrive and grow, ensuring a bright future. These leaders can help Pilot and our clubs Do more. Care more. Be more.

 We all strive to conduct our Pilot business as efficiently as possible, while serving the needs of our communities. This training was presented at the Council of Leaders in Montreal. I think it can be a helpful approach to nearly everything we do. 

 1. The Purpose or reason for the Team’s existence is clear.
2. Priorities, or the order of what needs to be done by Team, is clear.
3. Roles, or the positions Team members hold, are clearly defined.
4. Decisions are made by consensus or following parliamentary procedure.
5. Conflict must be dealt with quickly and openly in a healthy Team.
6. Communication must be open and members need to ask questions to clarify their understanding.
7. The Climate is warm, open, and fun!
8. The Personal Traits of individual members are well utilized.
9. Leadership is always well informed and prepared.
10. Participation and Involvement is needed by all Team members.

Remember: The foundation of any effectively functioning team is TRUST. Trust takes time, effort and attention to build ... but can be eroded quickly with a single action. Keep up you good work as we Do more. Care more. Be more.

~ Cathy Waugh

 A remarkable amount of time, effort, and money has been devoted to the study of leadership. Despite all this research, there is little agreement about exactly what leadership is. Still, people know effective leadership when they see it. And while great leaders may sometimes be born that way, there are certain traits that great leaders share in common that anyone can practice and adopt to become more effective.

What qualities are those? These qualities can help you become an effective leader.

... inspire action.
Try to paint a vision of the future that inspires your people to do whatever it takes to get there.

... be optimistic.
Seek out the positives in people, help them overcome their own feelings of self-doubt and spreading optimism throughout your club.

... support and facilitate your members
People do their very best work in an environment that supports them to safely take risks and speak up. This environment facilitates progress toward achieving our goals.

... have confidence.
Effective leaders know that the group can accomplish anything they set their minds to. If you’re confident, the members will be too.

... communicate.
Great leaders ensure that everyone has access to information about the organization’s goals, performance, successes and failures. Provide channels for two-way communication. Actively solicit ideas from your members.

In any organization, it's possible to become a more effective leader and inspire our members to be their very best. 

-Adapted from Inc.com Published Aug. 27, 2013.