The world is filled with followers, supervisors, managers, and rulers but very few leaders. Leadership is like beauty, it’s hard to define but you know it when you see it. Leaders are ordinary people who accept or are placed under extraordinary circumstances that bring forth their latent potential, producing a character that inspires the confidence and trust of others. Our world is in desperate need of such individuals.
UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP
‘’Great leaders never desire to lead but to serve.’’ Leadership is the ability to influence people to engage in a worthwhile activity. One way or the other we have all exercised some degree of leadership in our lives. This could be an influence on a friend, schoolmate, parent on a child, a spouse on a family, a teacher on students, a pastor on a congregation, a manager on subordinates or politician on his constituents etc.
LEADERSHIP
A simple definition of leadership includes the capacity to influence, educate, inspire, motivate, direct, encourage, mobilise and activate others to pursue a common goal or purpose. Leadership is impossible without a guiding vision and a purpose that provokes passion for accomplishment
PACESETTING LEADERSHIP
Pacesetting involves a person, group, or organisation that is the most progressive or successful and serves as a model to be imitated
Pacesetting leadership is defined by personal high standards, similar high standards for direct reports, and independent work. The phrase that best describes the operating mode of the pacesetting leader is “Do as I do, and do it now.” That’s because this style involves a drive to achieve initiatives, and a drive to achieve results.
Pacesetters set high standards for themselves and those they are leading. One of the key attributes of a pacesetting leader is that they lead by example. They don’t ask their followers to do anything they wouldn’t do themselves.
Characteristics of a Successful Leadership Style
- Be the person others choose to follow.
- Provide vision for the future.
- Provide inspiration.
- Make other people feel important and appreciated.
- Live your values. Behave ethically.
- Leaders set the pace through your expectations and example.
- Establish an environment of continuous improvement.
- Provide opportunities for people to grow, both personally and professionally.
Emmanuel Ogbuotobo