Leadership: Qualities of Effective Leaders
By Dianne Bufford, Liberty Bank of Arkansas/ Springdale
Living and working in Northwest Arkansas, it’s easy to find examples of successful business people we would define as effective leaders. Obvious names like Sam Walton, Don Soderquist, and J.B. Hunt, led their companies to become global and industry leaders. There is no doubt these men encompassed the dictionary definition of leadership: The process of directing the behavior of others toward the accomplishment of some common objectives.
Being in the workforce for many years, I know you don’t have to run a multi-billion dollar company to be considered an effective leader. You probably have someone in mind that you remember working with, taking a class under, serving on a committee together, or even a family member who you considered an effective leader.
What makes them stand out? Outstanding people skills. New York Times best selling author Dr. John C. Maxwell writes, “Leadership is a relationship-intensive endeavor. If your people skills aren’t strong, neither will be your leadership. If people aren’t following you, then you’re not really leading.”
Relationship-intensive leaders are full of praise, say thank you and please on their way to the top. They help make others better, encourage the smallest amount of improvement, are genuinely interested in others, and look for opportunities to find someone doing something right.
How many times have we heard the phrase, “Live by example”? I find that the leaders I respect the most are honest and have integrity. I know they will do what they say they will. They never allow murmuring from themselves or from others, and they will take ownership of their mistakes before talking about anyone else’s. They will be specific in what they expect from others. They will do what is right rather than what is popular.
They will do the right thing even when no one is watching.
Effective leaders are willing to take risks and aren’t afraid to fail. They will make mistakes, accept it, focus on success not failure and above all, never quit!
Colin Powell drove this point home when he said, “Effective leaders are made, not born. They learn from trial and error and from experience. When something fails, a true leader learns from the experience and puts it behind him. You don’t get reruns in life.”
Howard Hamilton, Regional President of Liberty Bank of Arkansas, sums up leadership well:
Always be truthful. Your reputation is for the most part in your control. If you are truthful 99.9% of the time, you can still lose your reputation.
Be dependable. Always do what you say you will, even if it causes you “pain.”
Don’t be afraid to work with or hire the best people, especially those you can learn from.
Embrace your responsibilities. A quote from an Air Force General friend of mine is a good summation on leadership. “Leadership: responsibility always trumps privilege.”
Care about people. My former pastor had a saying, “A God who cares cannot be represented by people who don’t.”
We all are leaders in one capacity or another – whether you are a parent, small business owner, sitting on a volunteer committee, or running a large corporation, practicing these traits will help you effectively lead those who seek to follow.
Dianne Bufford is the Northwest Arkansas marketing director for Liberty Bank of Arkansas. E-mail Dianne at DBufford@mylibertybank.com.
