The 12 'Ps' of Effective Leaders
Personality. Have an outgoing style. "Working the crowd"
is a useful and enjoyable skill. Another useful trait is the ability
to remember personal characteristics, such as names, items about family,
etc.
Persuasive. Possess good communication skills. You must be able
to speak and write clearly. And you must be able to communicate in the
style or jargon of your group or organization. Remember the old KISS
principle (keep it simple, sweetie).
Persistent. Keep trying. Change is, and should be, slow. If
change occurs too fast, people become uncertain about what is "right,"
good or appropriate. They lose their sense of security. But if the idea
is good, the results may last decades and affect many people. Also realize
that in historical perspective, the changes you are working toward are
small and incremental.
Patient. There are times when you will need to relax and wait
for events/time to pass. Most people will cool down with time. Most
things, especially if they are worthwhile, do not happen quickly. Self-discipline
is an essential trait for leadership.
Perceptive. Be sensitive to other people's wants and needs and
to changes in those wants and needs over time. Genuine interest in another
person will often foster a sense of trust in you by that person. The
ability to listen is an essential skill of a good leader.
Probity. Be honest and trustworthy, now and in the future. Most
people will follow someone they trust.
Praise-giving. Almost all people like praise and compliments—as
long as it is given in a sincere manner. The folk saying, "praise
in public and criticize in private," is also worth keeping in mind.
People-based. Leadership must be of, by and for the people.
Positive orientation. The future is bright and optimistic. Promote
the viewpoint that the future can be better than today, and that things
can and will improve. Reinforce that problems can be solved by our actions.
Practical. A leader must realize that pleasing all the people
all of the time is not possible. A leader must be practical in decisions
made catering to the majority, perceptive enough to realize when the
majority is right, and strong enough to take action without the support
of the majority when the majority is wrong.
Progressive. An effective leader will move the group forward.
Incorporating new strategies in leadership and communications is important.
Possible. A leader must be realistic to determine the art of
the possible, and how much can realistically be accomplished in the
time available.
Adapted from material authored by Dr. Rex Campbell,
Professor of Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Authored by: Jackie Rasmussen, Business and Industry
Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Source: Creating Quality Newsletter, Volume
11, Number 4, April 2002
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