Developing the Leader Within You - Priorities : Part 1

We will continue our leadership journey, learning new skills and refreshing old ones, with John C. Maxwell's book Developing the Leader Within You.

The Key to Leadership: Priorities : Part 1

There are two things that are most difficult to get people to do: to think and to do things in order of importance.

Success can be defined as the progressive realization of a predetermined goal. This definition tells us that the discipline to prioritize and the ability to work toward a stated goal are essential to a leader's success. In fact, Maxwell believes they are the key to leadership.

The Pareto Principle

20% of your priorities will give you 80% of your production.

IF

you spend your time, energy, money, and personnel on the top 20% of your priorities.

 

The solid lines on the 20/80 Principle represent a person or organization that invests time, energy, money, and personnel on the most important priorities. The result is a four-fold return in productivity. The dotted lines represent a person or organization that spends time, energy, money, and personnel on the lesser priorities. The result is a very small return.

Every leader needs to understand the Pareto Principle in the area of people oversight and leadership. For example, 20% of the people will be responsible for 80% of the company's success.

The following strategy will enable a leader to increase the productivity of an organization.

1. Determine which people are the top 20% producers.
2. Invest 80% of your "people time" with the top 20%.
3. Invest 80% of your personnel development dollars on the top 20%.
4. Determine what 20% of the work gives 80% of the return and train an assistant to do the 80% less effective work. This "frees up" the producer to do what he/she does best.
5. Ask the top 20% to do on-the-job training for the next 20%.

Remember, we teach what we know; we reproduce what we are.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Developing the Leader Within You - Influence : Part 3

We will continue our leadership journey, learning new skills and refreshing old ones, with John C. Maxwell's book Developing the Leader Within You.

Leadership is influence. That's it. Nothing more. Nothing less.

In the introduction of the book, Maxwell states: The key to success in an endeavor is the ability to lead others successfully. And, as we have heard before, Everything rises and falls on leadership.

The Five Levels of Leadership

Through his years in leadership and the business of leadership, Maxwell has created a model reflecting the various levels of leadership. He has also created a teaching tool to assist others in understanding their levels of leadership so they can increase their levels of influence.

The Five Levels of Leadership are:

1. Level 1: Position
2. Level 2: Permission
3. Level 3: Production
4. Level 4: People Development
5. Level 5: Personhood

Maxwell's model indicates that in order to get to the top, you must do two things:

• Know what level you are on at this moment.
• You will be on different levels with different people, so you need to know which people are on which level.
• Know and apply the qualities needed to be successful at each level.
  
• Below is a partial listing of the characteristics that you must exhibit with excellence before you can move to the next level.
  
  Level 1: Position / Rights
• Know your job description thoroughly.
• Be aware of the history of the organization.
• Accept responsibility.
• Be a team player.
• Do your job with consistence excellence.
• Do more than expected.
  
  Level 2: Permission / Relationship
• Make those who work with you more successful.
• See through other people's eyes.
• Do "win-win" or don't do it.
• Include others in your journey.
• Deal wisely with difficult people.
  
  Level 3: Production / Results
• Initiate and accept responsibility for growth.
• Develop and follow a statement of purpose.
• Develop accountability for results, beginning with yourself.
• Know and do the things that give a high return.
• Become a change-agent and understand timing.
• Make the difficult decisions that will make a difference.
  
  Level 4: People Development / Reproduction
• Realize that people are your most valuable asset.
• Place a priority on developing people.
• Be a model for others to follow.
• Expose key leaders to growth opportunities.
• Be able to attract other winners to the common goal.
• Surround yourself with an inner core that complements your leadership.
  
  Level 5: Personhood / Respect
• Your followers are loyal.
• You have invested years mentoring and molding leaders.
• Your greatest joy comes from watching others grow and develop.
• You transcend the organization.

Well, that is certainly a lot to think, absorb and put into action. This is why Mawell says leaders are developed daily, not in a day. Leadership takes time and commitment.

Next time, we will explore the key to leadership - priorities.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc