What It Means, To Be A SMART Leader?

Although, many people, either, are elected, selected, and/ or, ascend to positions of leadership, only, a small percentage of them, actually, earn the right, to be considered, leaders! After, over four decades, of involvement, in nearly all aspects of leadership, and planning, from identifying, and qualifying, to training, developing, and consulting to, thousands of actual, and/ or, potential leaders, to serving, on several occasions, personally, as a leader, I have come to recognize, and realize, there are many ingredients, which go into, leading, effectively. Some of these, include: proceeding with a positive, can - do, attitude; putting the best interests of others, ahead of any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest; quality, relevant, thorough training/ development, and a well - developed, aptitude/ skill - set. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what it means to be a SMART leader. 1. Service; system; sustainable; solutions; strengths/ stronger: You aren't leading, unless/ until, you put quality service, first! One must perceive and conceive of the needs, goals, priorities, and realities/ challenges, and create a well - considered, system, focused on producing the necessary results! In the quest to make a difference, it's essential to ensure, your ideas, are, both, relevant and sustainable, and your plans, will bring viable solutions. What characteristics, and/ or, qualities, do you possess, which are strengths, which might make your organization stronger? 2. Make mark; motivate; mention; methods: A smart leader must make his mark, for the better! He does so, by motivating, and inspiring others, to listen, and follow! When he makes a point of thanking, and mentioning, any assistance given, by anyone, he motivates and inspires them, to further commitment, and involvement! This takes using the finest methods, of meaningful, leadership planning! 3. Attitude; aptitude; attention; aspects; articulate: Combining a positive, can - do, attitude, with a well - developed, aptitude, and skill - set, and the discipline, and willingness, to pay keen attention to the possibilities, options, and alternatives, productively applies, a variety of valuable, meaningful aspects of leading! When this directs one, to articulate, a message, focused on serving and representing, he begins to make a true difference! 4. Relevant; reliable; responsive; reality; responsible: One must proceed, in both, a relevant, and responsive manner, if he is to provide reliable, responsive, responsible leadership! However, being positive, does not mean, wearing rose - colored glasses, and a true leader, understands reality, and sees obstacles as challenges, to overcome, instead of debilitating problems! 5. Time - tested; timely; truth/ trust; trends; together: If you don't want to bring others together, for the common good, don't become a leader! If you do, then, proceed, with time - tested knowledge and understanding, and never procrastinate, but, proceed, with well - considered, timely actions! Differentiate between valuable trends, as opposed to fads! One must face, and tell the truth, in order to earn the trust! Will you do, all you can, to become a SMART leader? Are you, up to the task? Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands of leaders, and conducted personal development seminars, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead can also be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10185241