Since, we exist, in an ever – evolving world, organizations must, either, also, evolve, strategically, and in a relevant and sustainable manner, or, lose their essential purpose, etc! After, over four decades, of personal involvement, in, nearly, everything related to effectively leading, from identifying and qualifying, to training, developing, and consulting, to thousands of actual, and/ or, potential leaders, as well as serving, personally, as a leader, various times, I strongly believe, a real leader can, and must, not accept, merely, remaining within some, perceived, self – created, personal comfort zone, but must expand any (and every), actual, and/ or, perceived obstacle, as a challenge, rather than a problem, and proceed, seeking the finest, most viable solutions, which address, both current, and future issues, in a relevant, and sustainable manner! We cannot accept, merely, the SAME – old, same – old ways, and accept, good – enough, but, rather, real leaders must demand their utmost degree of personal excellence, constantly, and consistently! With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it matters.
1. System; sustainable; service/ serving; stronger; solutions: Real leaders properly use, and take advantage of, meaningful, quality, relevant, and sustainable, strategic planning, to create and implement a well – considered, action plan, which is a major component of their system! The primary focus, must be, serving and representing the group, and its present and potential stakeholders, providing meaningful service! The goal must be to make the organization, truly, stronger, by implementing, viable solutions, in that quest!
2. Attitude; aptitude; articulate; actions; affects; attention: Great leaders need a positive, can – do, attitude (without wearing, rose – colored, glasses), combined with a well – developed aptitude, and skill – set, to bring about the most significant, necessary actions! A leader affects, others, either, in a positive, or, less – stellar, way! When he pays keen attention, and articulates an honorable, ethical, realistic, inspiring, and motivating message, which brings his stakeholders together, for the greater good, his group benefits, because it becomes, best – suited, for whatever, the future, brings!
3. Make mark; motivates; meaningful: How a leader makes his mark (either for the better, or less), determines, whether he motivates others, towards taking the best – path – forward, rather than some populist, simpler, path – of – least – resistance! Only, then, does he become meaningful, relevant, and sustainable!
4. Empathy; emphasis; effects; efforts; excellence; extra; extraordinary; endurance; establish: When a leader effectively, listens, and learns, he becomes capable of proceeding with genuine empathy! If he aligns his emphasis, accordingly, the effects, are, usually, the finest! Proceeding with extra efforts, demanding his utmost degree of genuine excellence, rather than accepting, good – enough, and establishing, the finest scenario, into the future, makes a significant difference, whether a specific group, becomes, extraordinary, rather than simply, proceeds, with the same – old, same – old, ways!
If a group hopes to maintain its relevance, into the future, its leaders, must proceed, with an open – mind, and never accept, merely, the SAME – old, same – old! Are you, up to the tasks and responsibilities?
