The ABC’s of Leadership (Day 4): Dedicate / Decide

Dedicate yourself to the greater we.  Make the conscious decision to be great.

I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen. (Frank Lloyd Wright)

Day 4 – ‘D’

The decisions leaders make are rooted in their dedication to the people and organizations they serve.  Think about non-profit leaders.  They work tirelessly to fulfill organizational needs often at a fraction of the pay of for-profit organizations, and do so using band-aid solutions.

Leadership requires this dedication to be effective.  Effective leaders stand out because they generally demonstrate stronger results, and because they are more aligned to the organization, people and ethical behavior.  The stronger the alignment, the more engaged the leader ultimately becomes.  For effective leaders, the ‘we’ > the ‘I’.

When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier. (Unknown)

Great leaders make difficult decisions.  It’s never easy choosing a position on something (that will ultimately impact someone); engaged leaders carry the burden of choice on their shoulders. They understand the gravity of their choices: promotions are confirmed or denied, bonuses are maxed-out or not given, policies are enforced or a blind-eye is turned.  Leaders must make decisions.

Every single decision you make as a leader has an effect on the spirit of those you lead. (Bill Hybels)

If you’re ever afraid to make a decision don’t be.  Trust your gut reaction.  The voice inside you pulling you back, or pushing you forward, is your truth!  Imagine the beauty of trusting yourself and using that to guide the decision-making process.  Being true to yourself is a great first step to advance your leadership.

Decide to be you.  Be for people.  Be great by trusting yourself.  Make ethical decisions.  Stand tall in the face of adversity.

Want more on leadership? Check out my partner Dale Richardson’s thoughts in his Live the Goals podcast here!

“The ABC’s of Leadership” is a web series highlighting principles of leadership.

Each day, we’ll highlight a new focus area and concept.  Done in partnership with Dale Richardson, a Podcast Host and John Maxwell Team certified speaker, trainer and coach, we’ll also offer a podcast exploring each idea further.

Tune in daily!