What Makes A Great Leader? - In Search of Unconventional Leadership Wisdom

Sitting in the Ivory Tower is not for unconventionalthat cares about them.5. Adapt quickly to new
leaders who sometimes deviate from their originalsituations: Since change is a constant, unconventional
roadmap. They have unconventional thinking andleaders know they need to change their entire
imagination that they use for their organization toorganization to reflect new applications for their
succeed. Their unconventional wisdom puts a new spinproducts and services, and they are able to shift gears
on leadership. A new model for professionalquickly in the direction where they take their company
achievement is needed in our 21st Century economy. Itand where their company now needs to go. In order to
requires discarding many of our traditional notionsadapt to new situations, the unconventional leader is
about how to succeed.Here are seven tips to Whatopen to change and to new directions; the
Makes a Great Leader:1. See the big picture: Greatunconventional leader embraces new thoughts and
leaders are able to see the big picture and make sureideas. In order to adapt to new situations, new
that their entire company sees it as well. This includesstrategies need to be put in place.6. Keep positive
having employees knowing the company's vision andoptimism: When you produce positive results, it is due
long-term outlook.The idea of "seeing the big picture"to the positive actions you use and portray. In staying
gives clarity and direction in knowing where you arepositive and bringing out the best in themselves,
leading your company and your employees. Thisunconventional leaders also tap into their employees
requires the fact that your actions must be alignedand employee resources in order to reach their
with your business goals.2. Make sound decisions: Anmaximum potential from their organization and stay
essential requirement needs to be effective leadersahead of others.
who have very good decision making skills, even theA great leader encourages their team to perform no
unconventional leaders. This is to ensure thatmatter the odds. The leader is the positive force that
strategically sound decisions are made to result inkeeps everyone motivated to win. As a business
positive outcomes for the company. Unconventionalleader, your company leadership should include a
leaders have the confidence and know how to takepositive attitude that will affect you and your
risks in their decisions and making them pay off.3.employees.Dana Lightman, Ph.D. stated that power
Keep cool under pressure: A great leader never letsoptimists are valuable because of the
their team see them sweat. Ranting and raving is not afollowing:Proactive = Goal Achievers- Open-Minded =
sign of even a good manager. In times of crisis,Innovative Thinkers
employees typically look to their company leader to- Well-Informed = Opportunity Seeking
remain calm under pressure and handle the situation.An- Evolving = Continuous Learners
unconventional leader is going to respond to situations- Resilient = Adaptable Change AgentThis is where
in a different manner than conventional leaders. Fromunconventional leaders go beyond the basics. They
what I have observed, when it comes to situationsuse every one of these values to their full advantage,
where leaders react or respond to situations, theyand then they do it, succeeding in what they want to
handle the current situation and the crisis ends withdo.7. Learn constantly: Besides being fast learners,
nothing gained except how a situation was handled atunconventional leaders are open to continuous learning
that moment. On the other hand, when anfrom a variety of sources, especially from those who
unconventional leader handles the same situation, theyhave already been in the trenches of leadership. They
deal with the situation and implement policies andstudy leadership which they believe is an essential part
procedures to make sure the situation is not repeated.of lifelong learning. These other experiences and
As a result, the conventional leader and theirchallenges help maximize their leadership impact.In
employees go back to the same management policiessummary, many unconventional leaders, who are
and procedures as before the firefighting took place.down-to-earth mavericks, sometimes feel that are
Where as the unconventional leader and theirreinventing their company in order to be a trail blazer
organization is able to grow from thisas they bring their unique perspectives to life. It sets
experience.These great leaders know how to handlethe stage for how your company can move forward
pressure. Having the know how to recognize awith thinking and strategizing a little off center from
pressured situation, control their emotions, and movewhere you are currently. The challenge for the leader
their company forward is within their toolbox ofis to both implement changes to their organization and
talents.4. Know good people skills: Most people want towork through the above seven tips with their
be effective in their work. Effective unconventionalemployees.Follow these seven tips of "What Makes A
leaders go beyond making sure that their employeesGreat (Unconventional) Leader" and see how your
are supported. They assist in developing theircompany can do better in its thinking and as a result,
employees; they inspire their employees by telling themgain a competitive edge. As your focus needs to shift
the company's compelling vision, and then ask theslightly with the paradigm shift changes in
employees to contribute to this vision; they aremanagement, so to does your company's strategies
catalysts with the ability to initiate and lead andand thoughts of using the talent of your employees for
manage the company to new directions when it isa more productive workplace.Neal Burgis, Ph.D. is the
appropriate to do so; and they use and have all of theirfounder and CEO of Burgis Successful Solutions, an
employees master their own Emotional Intelligenceexecutive coaching firm. Neal has 18 years of
(self-awareness, self-management, social awareness,experience helping people with their goals and
and relationship management). In return, the leader andperformance. He specializes in executive coaching on
their employees experience their contributions inwork balance issues of performance, leadership
improved growth, teamwork, company vision, jobdevelopment, and improving skills, as well as being a
satisfaction, and profitability.In an unconventionalsounding board. Dr. Burgis is a National Certified
organization, the company's leader, in most cases, givePsychologist and a Certified Executive Coach. He is
praise to all employees. They would find a way to giveavailable to help with your coaching needs either in
all employees recognition for any and every taskperson or through telephone coach consultations at
performed. This way the leader makes everyone feelyour convenience.
good about themselves and for working in a company