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InspirEmail No 226 - February 20th, 2012 - Eight Laws of Leadership
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Eight Laws of Leadership

Take a look around business, education, politics. If there's one thing we don't have enough of, it's good leaders - men and women who have the vision and the ability to change things for the better.

Former Air Force General William Cohen wrote a fine book called 'The Stuff of Heroes' in which he identified eight laws of leadership. Here are his rules:

1. Maintain absolute integrity.
2. Know your stuff.
3. Declare your expectations.
4. Show uncommon commitment.
5. Expect positive results.
6. Take care of your people.
7. Put duty before self.
8. Get out in front.

His laws embrace important competencies like knowledge, communication skills, commitment, optimism, caring and a powerful sense of duty. But General Cohen also recognized that the foundation of a successful leader is character, including trustworthiness, honour, and courage.

The best leaders draw on these moral qualities to influence others through inspiration, persuasion, trust, and loyalty. They do the right thing despite the costs and risks and do it not because it will yield approval or advantage, but because it's the right thing.

In these cynical times, it's easy to think such leadership is unattainable; yet in every walk of life there are hundreds of men and women - parents, teachers, coaches, civic activists - who fit this mold. What's more important, every one of us could be among them.

Written by Michael Josephson
To learn more about the work of Michael Josephson, please visit . . . Whatwillmatter >>>

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Manager versus Leader

The manager administers; the leader innovates.
The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
The manager maintains; the leader develops.
The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
The managers asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
Managers have their eyes on the bottom line; leaders have their eyes on the horizon.
The manager imitates; the leader originates.
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his own person.
The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

Written by Warren Bennis

- Inspirational Quote -

You get the best efforts from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within them
Bob Nelson

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A monthly positive inspirational story and quote to refresh your spirit and boost the emotional bank account. InspirEmail was first published in November 2005 and each issue can be viewed in the Archived InspirEmail Directory located below the latest issue of InspirEmail


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