Leadership Is About Influence

If you can influence people, you are exerting leadership. So, as Cy Charney, author of The Portable Mentor, observes, anyone can lead in an organization—you don't have to have a title to do so. In fact, as organizations continue to redefine the way they operate, people are being asked to take on more responsibility and initiative—all key leadership attributes. As you prepare for a leadership role in your organization, Charney suggests you measure yourself against these key leadership attributes:

1. Leaders have a clear vision of where they are going. And they don't keep their vision a secret—they share it with those around them in the hope of mobilizing them to move in the same direction.
2. Leaders are consistent. They are true to their principles and values at all times.
3. Leaders do what they expect of others. They “walk the talk.”
4. Leaders are not threatened by competence. Outstanding peers energize them. And they are quick to give credit to those who have earned it.
5. Leaders enjoy seeing others around them increase their skills and confidence. They share their knowledge to enable colleagues to take on more challenging tasks and responsibilities.
6. Leaders don't betray trust. They can treat confidential information professionally.
7. Leaders are concerned with getting things done. They don't become embroiled in political infighting, gossip and back-stabbing. They encourage those around them to do likewise.
8. Leaders confront issues as they arise; they don't procrastinate. If something needs fixing, they do it right away, even if it’s uncomfortable. The longer things are left, the more difficult they become.
9. Leaders recognize superior performance. They are generous with praise to the person concerned and to others who should know about their performance.
10. Leaders are flexible. They welcome change. They don't stick to an old position simply because it is more comfortable.
11. Leaders are adaptable. They see change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
12. Leaders are human. They make mistakes. When they do so, they readily admit it.
13. Leaders learn from their mistakes. They use errors as a way to improve their skills.
14. Leaders enjoy being challenged. They are prepared to take risks and encourage others to do the same. If they fail, they treat the exercise as a learning experience.
15. Leaders focus on the future, not the past. They anticipate trends and prepare for them.
16. Leaders encourage and reward cooperation within and between teams.
17. Leaders develop guidelines for the team. They enlarge the guidelines as the team becomes willing to accept more responsibility.
18. Leaders change their role according to the demands of the team. For example, they function more as coaches or facilitators when needed.
19. Leaders listen to fellow team members. They don't interrupt others, and they allow themselves to be influenced.
20. Leaders involve people in finding new ways to achieve goals.

Excerpted, by permission of the publisher, from The Portable Mentor by Cy Charney. Copyright 2004, Cy Charney. Published by AMACOM, AMA’s book publishing division. For more about this book and other AMA books, go to: www.amanet.org/books.

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