How to Raise Your Power as a Leader

Do you want to be a powerful leader?  Then build great relationships.  Leadership is all about building great relationships. Those relationships include those who report to you.  

I used to frequently hear the saying, "there by the grace of God."  What is meant is that any one of us, could be in the "manager" position.  It also means leaders must be respectful to everybody, including their reports, because in the next job, that report could be the leader.  Leaders must be respectful to reports in front of others as well because if someone you want to hire is watching and sees a leader being negative or behaving poorly, they probably won't want to work for that leader and will recommend against others working for that leader.

"To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'"
— Lao-tzu

I am surprised that in this day and age, in world class organizations, I have seen arrogant managers publicly treat their reports like children.   That manager is lowering his own prestige, by down talking his reports through his own arrogance.  Even if this is done in jest.  It makes the manager look insecure, un-approachable and thus lowers his credibility.

Best advice for leaders and everybody is to follow the golden rule.  The golden rule, although most widely known a Christian value, has long been a teaching of many religions and even atheists.  Jesus who was a Jew, states it as we know it today in Matthew 7:12. In Muslim religion:  

In fact the Quran goes beyond saying the Golden Rule by stating in more than four places that “Return evil with Kindness.” (13:22, 23:96, 41:34, 28:54, 42:40  --  Dr. Mike Ghouse  

Remember we are all dependent upon each other in this world.  Either we prosper together or perish together. 

Leaders and "leaders to be" must treat your reports like you would want to be treated.  You have a responsibility to develop their careers as well.  Give your reports the support and opportunity to further grow themselves and their careers.   

Build great relationships and be a powerful leader!    

What do you think?  Please share your thoughts on this.
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Need help building your teams leaders?  I can help.  Contact me trish_sutter@thegoodprojectmanager.com