Introduction to Leadership and Personal Development

What is Leadership? Leadership is the ability to move or influence others toward achieving individual or group goals.Leadership is the ability to move or influence others toward achieving individual or group goals. It is learned behavior than anyone can improve by study and application.It is learned behavior than anyone can improve by study and application. Every member of a group participated in leadership when they contribute an idea.Every member of a group participated in leadership when they contribute an idea. There is no limit to the number of leaders in a group.There is no limit to the number of leaders in a group.

What is Leadership? Given the opportunity for feedback and practice, those with a desire and persistence to lead can substantially improve their abilities to do so.Given the opportunity for feedback and practice, those with a desire and persistence to lead can substantially improve their abilities to do so. Leadership comes in many personality types.Leadership comes in many personality types. Leadership has a purpose and a goal, leaders help others arrive at a better understanding of themselves, others, and issues at hand.Leadership has a purpose and a goal, leaders help others arrive at a better understanding of themselves, others, and issues at hand.

What is leadership? There can be no leadership without someone willing to lead.There can be no leadership without someone willing to lead. The relationship is only successful if people are willing to follow.The relationship is only successful if people are willing to follow. Leadership is a group effort.Leadership is a group effort. Leadership is an action, the leader helps others develop their own skills and share knowledge with others.Leadership is an action, the leader helps others develop their own skills and share knowledge with others.

Myths About Leadership There is little knowledge about leadership.There is little knowledge about leadership. All leaders are born with unique qualities.All leaders are born with unique qualities. Leaders make all of the group’s decisions.Leaders make all of the group’s decisions. All leaders are popular, charismatic individuals.All leaders are popular, charismatic individuals. To lead requires election or appointment.To lead requires election or appointment. Leadership is a rare skill.Leadership is a rare skill. Leaders control, direct, and produce.Leaders control, direct, and produce. Leadership exists only at the top of an organization.Leadership exists only at the top of an organization.

Famous Leadership Quotes “Few men are born leaders. Leadership is achieved by ability, alertness, experience and keeping posted; by willingness to accept responsibility; a knack for getting along with people; an open mind and a head that stays clear under stress.”“Few men are born leaders. Leadership is achieved by ability, alertness, experience and keeping posted; by willingness to accept responsibility; a knack for getting along with people; an open mind and a head that stays clear under stress.” -E.F. Girard “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers

More Leadership Quotes “Gumption is that stuff on the end of a coon dog’s nose that lets him know which tree the coon is in!”“Gumption is that stuff on the end of a coon dog’s nose that lets him know which tree the coon is in!” -J.W. Fanning “Leadership is the courage to admit mistakes, the vision to welcome change, the enthusiasm to stay out of step when everyone else is marching in the wrong direction.”“Leadership is the courage to admit mistakes, the vision to welcome change, the enthusiasm to stay out of step when everyone else is marching in the wrong direction.”-Unknown

Becoming a Good Leader To become a good leader:To become a good leader: –Study the qualities of good leaders and learn from their mistakes. –Analyze yourself, determine strengths and weaknesses. Set goals for improvement. –Learn to take direction. –Learn about how groups function. –Make a personal leadership plan and stick to it.

Personal Leadership Personal leadership is the self-confident ability to establish an exact direction for your own life, commit to move in that direction, and then act on what that goal demands.Personal leadership is the self-confident ability to establish an exact direction for your own life, commit to move in that direction, and then act on what that goal demands. Success in personal leadership is determined by attitudes.Success in personal leadership is determined by attitudes. Leaders know their strengths and have the persistence to accomplish their goals.Leaders know their strengths and have the persistence to accomplish their goals.

Personal Leadership Plan Step 1: Develop a Vision and Focus Your Thinking.Step 1: Develop a Vision and Focus Your Thinking. –Vision is the ability to have a clear picture of your goals. –Vision provides direction, motivation, enthusiasm, a sense of achievement, and fulfillment of one’s purpose. Step 2: Set Goals.Step 2: Set Goals. –Key to accomplishment. –Should have goals in the following areas: physical, family, social, financial, educational, ethic, and career.

Personal Leadership Plan Step 3: Develop Initiative.Step 3: Develop Initiative. –Initiative is taking action and getting started. –There are 3 types of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who ask what’s happening, and those who asked what happened. –Focus on the positive and reach for your goals. Step 4: Develop Self-Confidence.Step 4: Develop Self-Confidence. –The only way to do this is to expose yourself to risk and press on through the challenges.

Personal Leadership Plan Step 5: Develop Personal Responsibility.Step 5: Develop Personal Responsibility. –Must take responsibility for thoughts, actions, and feelings. –Leaders understand that this quality is essential. Step 6: Develop a Healthy Self-Image.Step 6: Develop a Healthy Self-Image. –Mental picture of the person we think we are. –We never rise above the picture we create for ourselves.

Personal Leadership Plan Step 7: Develop Self-Organization.Step 7: Develop Self-Organization. –You must know what to do next in order to achieve and leadership goals. –TIPS: Write down everything, make a daily to-do list, and utilize time management skills. Step 8: Eliminate Procrastination.Step 8: Eliminate Procrastination. –Develop constructive habits to replace procrastination. –TIPS: Admit that you procrastinate, learn more about it, choose a plan of action, carry out the plan (don’t procrastinate with this!)

Personal Leadership Plan Step 9: Study.Step 9: Study. –Talking to successful people, researching, observing your own leadership habits. Step 10: Magnify Your Strengths.Step 10: Magnify Your Strengths. –Identify your own strengths. –Use talents to your advantage.