Positive Thinking and Action

Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on January 27, 2010 under General Leadership, Leadership Development | Be the First to Comment

It is, often, very hard for us to stay positive. This is especially true during times of challenge and difficulty. For some of us, periodic challenge and difficulty can be exciting. For most of us, however, challenge and difficulty, especially prolonged challenge and difficulty, can be exhausting. Positive thinking and action can not only help us get through the challenges and difficulties of leadership, but also can help us embrace challenges in life, which may lead us to totally shift our perspective.  I cannot stress enough the importance of positive thinking and action as an antidote to challenge, and as a prescription for long-term success.

The modern concept of positive thinking roots in the study of the human mind. However, as it applies for our discussion in the context of leadership, positive thinking roots in the study of Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS). Some of the bright minds of field include Kim S. Cameron, Jane E. Dutton, Robert E. Quinn, Robert A. Emmons, and Kathleen M. Sutcliffe to name a few.  One of my favorite compilations in the field of POS comes from Robert A. Emmons on “Acts of Gratitude in Organizations.” Emmons concluded that the use of gratitude, a moral and positive emotion, leads to positive outcomes in the workplace. If I were a betting man, and sometimes I am, I would say that the use of gratitude leads to positive outcomes in most other situations too!  

Kim Cameron’s work on “Positive Leadership” sheds light on the importance of fostering a positive climate, developing positive meaning, establishing positive relationships, and executing positive communication. According to Cameron, through implementing these four strategies a leader can transition into a positive leader. From my perspective, however, these strategies go beyond the scope of leadership to apply to each and every one of us and our every day lives. I cannot think of any situation where fostering a positive climate, developing positive meaning, establishing positive relationships, and executing positive communication would result in negative consequences.

However, let us not be fooled: positive thinking and action requires a lot of work. One exercise that I enjoy (brought to my attention by a university professor) is to challenge myself to think positively for as long as possible.  Everytime I think negatively, I put a quarter into a jar. By the end of the week, how many quarters do you think I have saved in the jar? I suggest that everyone try that exercise because it forces you to be conscious of your thoughts and your actions. My only hope for this post would be that it leaves you with a positive attitude and inspires you to be, act, and live positively.  It makes a difference.

Developing Leadership Strategy

Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on January 11, 2010 under General Leadership | Be the First to Comment

Having an effective leadership style is crucial for individuals holding positions of power within organizations. Knowing your personal goals and having motivational skills simply isn’t enough in today’s competitive environment. Instead, leaders need a clear-cut strategy for obtaining organizational goals and objectives, as well as the lower-level deparmental goals that they’ve established. Learning to develop and implement an effective leadership strategy is one of the most important  steps in learning to lead a successful team.

First, it’s important that a leader clearly define a cause or purpose. This could be developed in terms of a mission and vision statment if you’re an organizational leader, or a more comprehensive business plan if you’re an entrepreneuer. As a corporate manager, however, setting sales goals and developmental milestones would also be a requirement. It’s important to note that leaders will develop goals that are difficult, but not impossible to obtain. Leaders must constantly challenge their employees to be bigger and better.

The second piece of an effective leadership strategy is the development of clearly defined goals. These goals are, in effect, the steps needed to be successful in the ‘mission’ and ‘vision’ discussed above. True leaders will clearly define primary and secondary goals and set milestones for employees to reach.

Third, it is important to have a way to measure success. Leaders realize the importance of positive feedback, and implement a plan whereby success can be easily measured and recognized. Leaders always remember that it is their primary goal to make sure that their ‘mission’ and ‘vision’ is attained and that employees are successful and properly recognized.

Finally, a good leadership strategy will include access to the tools and education needed to be successful. Leaders recognize the importance that proper knowledge and tools can have on the outcome of their project. Hence, the ideal strategy will include both the time and the money to educate employees as necessary and to upgrade software and other tools to ensure success.

In summary, effective leaders work diligently on developing a leadership strategy for their project or organization. By carefully reviewing the strengths and weakness of team members and setting obtainable goals, leaders can easily become the driving force for success. Being a leader is about much more than charisma and charm; it is the diligent application of strategies and careful review of that strategy that will make or break a leader.