Thoughts on Leadership - Part 1: A collection of letters, notes, and personal discussions about becoming, growing, and elevating as leaders.

By Layne McDonald

You are a leader wanting to connect with employees and clients deeper. An authentic, transparent, and vulnerable leader means you are a relatable individual that can lead with trust and honesty. This book series will show you how to center yourself, grow your talents, and connect at a viserel level that clients and employees are thirsting for these days. If you want to be seen holistically as a caring, understanding, and powerfully empowering leader, this book and the whole series are first for you. Continue your conversation and journey to leadership greatness at www.laynemcdonald.com or on the ios or android app.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tablo Publishing
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685834784

Book preview

Disclaimer

This book has been written for information purposes only. Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and correct as possible. However, there may be mistakes in typography or content. Also, this book supplies information only up to the publishing date. Therefore, this book should be used as a guide - not as the ultimate source.

The purpose of this book is to educate. The author and the publisher do not call for the information contained in this book is fully complete and shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity concerning any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

This book offers information and is designed for educational purposes only. It would help if you did not rely on this information as a substitute, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Special Thanks

It takes a village, as they say.

To my wife, Miranda:

Thank you for always believing, standing in front of me or beside me, and guiding me every step of the way. Having a beautiful, powerful woman by my side and encouraging me, you are a God-send to me and everyone you meet. Thank you for being yourself, being authentic, teaching me to be a good man, and growing beyond what I thought I was capable of becoming.

To my children, Whitson and Kinsley:

This book (and all the others) are for you to know who I am. I want the knowledge I worked so hard to gain to be passed down to you and your children. Know who you are (a Child of God) and my children; strong, bold, and determined to change the world in your unique ways. Guide your lives with the light of God, the love of family, and the support of true friends. Never be struck down by mean words, stern glances, and ignorant actions. Never forget this: Mommie and Daddie love you. God loves you infinitely more.

One observation of all the negativity we face in this world. Those harsh words or looks will never indeed be about you. They don't know you. Most of the time, prejudices come from inside and show what a person is dealing with internally. Love them, move on, and pray for them. We are not perfect. We all have made others feel bad at times. Ask for forgiveness for yourself, live a higher calling, and wish well to everyone. Know you are loved.

To my Parents:

This book and the rest are a testament to your determination to raise a boy into a self-confident man that believes he can change the world. Thank you for taking it on the chin for my growing up, putting me in any learning assistance you could afford (and not afford), and for all the long hours teaching me after hours. Thank you for never showing me the learning disability list until I had graduated, always guarding me against the judgment of others, and always demanding the best out of me, where ever I find myself. Thank you for the continued love, support, and words of encouragement.

To you:

Thank you for picking this book up. That means there is something about the title or myself you find appealing. I wish you well while reading, and please, with all authenticity I can muster, contact me at www.laynemcdonald.com. I have a small creative leadership coaching service. Still, for free, you can read parts of books, and articles, talk to me, watch videos, and download all of my stock footage/audio/images for your leadership presentations or videos. Please get in touch with me and ask any questions you may have or share your story with me. I love meeting new people and helping anyone along their journey to outstanding leadership.

If at any time you want to discuss something you read in this book, please join my site for free at www.laynemcdoald.com and connect with me. I am here for you.

Peace and blessings. God bless. Enjoy the read.

Leadership 101: Introduction

Introduction

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. - Thomas Jefferson

Over the years, the feeling and definition of leadership have changed. The administration used to mean a position or a role in a hierarchy. Today, leadership is more of a skill than a role. You can be in a leadership role and have no ability in leadership. On the other hand, you can be in a non-leading part but prove leadership and inspire those around you.

Leadership is one of those skills that never gets old and is always looked up to. Leadership's definition can be things to different people. Start by writing down your definition of leadership.

We might have a different definition of leadership than you, but the exercises and techniques that you will learn here will help you become a better leader in your life.

One of the critical qualities of leaders is that they are initiative-takers. That said, you can already check that one of your lists because today, you have chosen to read this book series and lead yourself on a self-development adventure!

In this book series, we will teach you how to develop your leadership skills, no matter what role you play in your career. In the following sections, you will learn about leadership, how it can improve your life, and what techniques or abilities you need to develop to become better at it. The skills you will learn here are life skills that you can use at work and in your daily interaction with your family, volunteer work, or any relationships.

Leadership 101: Part 1 - Everyday Leadership & How it can Improve Your Life

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The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is effortless to say yes. - Tony Blair

We tend to underestimate our daily actions as an act of leadership. We celebrate meaningful events and significant victories, but not necessarily our small gestures that can change the face of the world. Any daily action can change the world of someone who crosses our path. Once you recognize your ability, life becomes a series of opportunities to lead.

Leaders know their goals and do trivial things daily to reach them. But it is not always about them; they help others to move forward in their projects, to remove their doubts so they can act.

If you compare people in a specific field, it is not their IQ. In a study comparing average leaders to outstanding leaders, 90% of the variance was due to the Emotional Quotient (EQ). Your EQ is the most crucial factor that will predict if you step up and take the lead in life.

The personality that will make them successful is their EQ. This study also proved that developing leadership skills without considering the cognitive strength of the student-led to minimal improvement in their abilities to lead others. For that reason, we have a whole section on self-awareness and personal growth that will help you improve your emotional intelligence.

To be a leader is to be the catalyst of a positive event for others and thus, contribute to their development and help them in a necessary decision-making process. It can seem terrifying when you realize that you have so much impact on others without knowing it, without being aware of it. It is essential to recognize that we are influential agents, and we influence the lives of others that go beyond money and power.

When you become a leader in your life, you empower yourself to lead the life of your dream. That is the most beautiful gift you can give yourself, as you will always receive help from the skills, experiences, and knowledge you have bought on that journey to become a great leader.

Benefits are:

Lead a productive life full of abundance.

Increase your resilience and ability to perform without feeling the pressure of stress.

Improve your relationships and how others perceive you.

Become a better communicator and clearly say your goals.

Have self-awareness, self-confidence, and courage.

Grow your ability to be creative and innovative.

Be perceived as trustworthy and competent by others.

Be more decisive, dependable, and competent.

The following section will explore facts about leadership and how it affects our world.

Leadership 101: Part 2 - The Truth about Leadership

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"A leader is a dealer in hope." - Napoleon Bonaparte

Leadership is not a natural skill in us. According to research, the best leaders are the ones that have a growth mindset. A growth mindset believes any skills can grow with dedication and challenging work. It is a skill you can create and buy with time, patience, and practice.

According to researchers, a leader's behavior can influence the mindset of others, the environment in which they are, the cohesion and efficacy of a group, and it can even affect the amount of conflict experienced in the group. Even if only 10% of the population are natural leaders, we will all have to prove our leadership skills at one point.

The good news is that leadership can be taught, and we hope to help you with this book. The other aspect of outstanding leadership is their ability to be involved and engaged. All the work you will be doing with this book will allow you to experience what you need to develop your leadership skills firsthand. Be mindful of that experience, and do not hesitate to use that knowledge and experience in coaching others.

A study completed with 300,000 business leaders revealed the following top abilities:

Strategic thinking

Driving results

Inspiring

Communicating in a challenging situation

Critical thinking, powerful and practical problem-solving abilities

Building relationships

Proving

Displaying technical or problem-solving, integrity, professional ability, and honesty

Creating and innovating

Developing others

These skills can be developed and used in various areas of your life. The following section will explore the subjects and supply a leadership skill self-assessment.

Leadership 101: Part 3 – Key Skills of Leadership & Self-Assessment

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"There is troublesome humor some men have, that if they may not lead, they will not follow; but had instead a thing were never done, than not done their way, tho' other ways very desirable." - William Penn

If you search for the word leadership on Google, you will soon find that there are leadership styles. There is no exact definition of what a leader does. A leadership style is influenced by their personality and the challenges they face. However, there are certain qualities that all good leaders share.

They are:

Responsibility

Focus

Awareness

Honesty

Confidence

Inspiration

Decisiveness

Optimism

Empathy

Leadership plays several roles in ensuring an organization's smooth functioning. As you have seen in the earlier section, the following skills are critical:

Strategic Thinking 

One of the skills sought and expected of leaders in organizations is the ability to think, plan, and act strategically. This skill allows us to find opportunities to bring value to the company and challenge the status quo and the premises on which the company is based to face current and future challenges. The absence of this competency will lead people to comply, apply past solutions to future problems, and not deal with threats but opportunities early on.

Inspiring and Motivating 

An inspirational leader helps you bring out the best in yourself. A motivating leader pushes others to do more and brings out the best. People who work for an inspiring leader are enthusiastic, encouraged, energized, motivated, and engaged. They believe that what they do is essential and that they are making a difference.

Critical Thinking, Analyzing, and Problem-Solving Abilities 

When a leader is faced with a problem, they use critical thinking and analyze the trouble finding solutions. Too often, we focus on the symptoms rather than the cause. A leader will find the factual issues underlying the symptoms by asking the right questions. Instead of saying the obvious (or the problem), the leader will supply ideas for solutions.

Demonstrating Transparency, Integrity, and Honesty 

To succeed in life, you live and must be sincere because dishonesty always catches up with us. It is impossible to achieve without developing a solid reputation for honesty and integrity.

Interpersonal relationships are based on trust, and you cannot trust someone dishonest. Integrity is a crucial success factor and a leader's most critical persuasive tool. Honesty is the basis on which all other aspects are based. The leader is a model of integrity for others and is about being a role model to inspire others to behave similarly.

Developing Others 

Great leaders are not afraid to recognize the skills of others and support others in their development. A great leader realizes that it is essential to create an environment where exchange and knowledge transfer are a given. The leader honestly believes that everybody can gain experience and grow.

Learning, Creating, and Innovating 

Not only are leaders supportive of others' learning, but they also thrive in learning new things. Leaders embrace changes as an opportunity to gain experience. They love creating and innovating in their area of expertise. They are not afraid to say they do not know and learn about it.

Driving Results 

Leaders know how to drive results because their goal is clear and how it relates to others. They go results because they know how to engage others in actions that will lead them to success. They understand how people participate in the goal and find ways to spark that passion in others to move forward.

Communicating in a Powerful and Effective Way

A leader's communication is clear, open, and aligned with their actions. It is one thing to know where you are going; it is another to communicate it clearly so that others understand you. The biggest communication tool a leader has is behavior. What you see is what you get.

Building Relationships 

It is believed that most leaders in a leadership role have gained that role because of the relationship they have built. You are familiar with the expression: It is not what you know, but whom you know. Building relationships is vital if you want to be a strong leader. Not people will follow a person to whom they cannot relate.

Displaying Technical or Professional Expertise 

People look up to people who know things and can prove skills and knowledge in their field. Others will look up to you for help when they struggle or for advice to succeed like you. The same applies to leaders. You can be a leader in your area if you are good at it.

Since leadership is not a natural skill, knowing where we lack and what we need to improve on becomes essential. The following assessment will help you understand your leadership skills and how much work you must put into development.

Here are fifteen questions that will help you define your leadership abilities.

Can you find your three main strengths?

Can you find your three principal areas of concern?

Do your actions reflect your words and values?

Do you listen carefully to the ideas of those who disagree with you?

Are you bold enough to ask for feedback on your behaviors and use the information you gather as a tool to get to know yourself better?

When others do something wrong, do you take the time to help them see what they need to change and how they can solve problems?

Can you assess your environment's state and improve it?

Do you can communicate a vision or goal?

Do you can mobilize people?

Do you have a propensity to encourage rather than criticize?

Do you take risks?

Do you have a sense of innovation and creativity?

Do you make decisions quickly?

Are you inspiring and admired by your employees?

Do you recognize your mistakes easily?

The number of environments answers or reinforces to reach your ultimate potential as a leader. This book will help you do exactly that.

Leadership 101: Part 4 – Leading without the Title

All great leaders have had one characteristic in common: the willingness to confront the major anxiety of their people in their time unequivocally. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership. - John Kenneth Galbraith

To become a great leader, you must be a leader in your life. You do not need a title to be a successful leader. Before exploring this section any further, list areas of your life where you are a leader; it could be as par or as a parent or teammate that requires a certain amount of leadership.

I am a leader in the following areas of my life:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

A leader means someone who leads others, holds a position of authority, or is responsible. In summary, someone has followers who look up to them, yet; it is a particular fact that no one can, durably and with impact, guide. Others do not know how to conduct themselves. Leading a group without an unobstructed vision for oneself is a grave mistake leading to inevitable failure.

Values 

The starting point of personal leadership is your values. These values are the foundation of your life. They are integral to your being and even define you as a leader.

Check all the values that are fundamental to you:

Honesty

Courage

Security

Kindness

Compassion

Loyalty

Teamwork

Fitness

Intelligence

Career

Balance

Connection

Communication

Relationship

Creativity

Learning

Knowledge

Humanity

Excellence

Patience

Success

Innovation

Change

Respect

Quality

Prosperity

Freedom

Adventure

Wellness

Diversity

Contributing

Finances

Generosity

Spiritualism

Gratitude

Integrity

Strength

Grace

Finesse

Entertain

Endurance

Love

Wealth

Facilitation

Openness

Speed

Effectiveness

Religion

Power

Fun

Order

Affection

Fame

Advancement

Cooperation

Justice

Respect

Peace

Appreciation

Joy/Play

Friendship/Relationship

Willingness

Forgiveness

Encouragement

Trusting Your Gut

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Pride in Your Work and Harder Chance

Excitement

Clarity

Patience

Change

Fun-Loving

Forgiveness

Goodness

Charisma

Self-Respect

Involvement

Humor

Abundance

Faith

Leadership

Reciprocity

Wisdom

Renewal

Enjoyment

Beauty

Home

Entrepreneurial

Caring

Be True

Happiness

Personal

Contentment

Harmony

Development

Or any other values not listed above:

These values shape your reality, therefore your vision of the present world, your view of an ideal world. These values allow you to define your personality and position yourself clearly in your private or professional environment.

These values are linked to intrinsic qualities specific to you and do not require much effort to manifest; these qualities will be the foundation of your success. Knowing your inherent qualities increases your self-esteem.

Leadership is about leading to a goal, and personal leadership is about guiding you to your life goal. Moving away from your life goals would mean failure, but moving closer to them makes you shine brightly and reach your maximum potential.

Once your values and qualities are known, you can act once you have discovered your life purpose. Finding all the activities necessary to achieve your life purpose is finding all the required actions. They will be grouped into aims, i.e., groups of events that are coherent with each other and contribute to the same intermediate goal.

The aims are essential to achieve your vision; without clearly defined missions, the idea would be only a wish. Once the task has been chosen, it will allow you to focus on the essential and maximize the benefit of each effort.

Indeed, in the face of the multiple and diverse demands of life and others, it is essential to have a guideline on the list of your critical missions to remain focused and, therefore, more effective.

This efficiency will allow you, day after day, to take one more step towards your life goal (or goals). Personal leadership means you are fully responsible for reaching your life goal(s).

In the next section, we will help you lead yourself to success with the GROW model, a coaching tool for goal setting and problem-solving.

Leadership 101: Part 5 – Lead Yourself to Success with the Grow Model

"Do you know that one of the significant problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than thoughts and ideas?" - Margaret Thatcher

The best people to lead others in success are coaches. They are trained to precisely do that. One of the tools they use that is very efficient is called the GROW model.

What Is the GROW Model?

The GROW model is a