Everyday we all have the potential (realized or not) to lead in various ways. Our leadership can be something big such as introducing and driving a new corporate initiative, or expressed by our example of simply listening respectfully and intently as someone shares a story or concern. Many political leaders have been described by their ability to offer undivided attention to passionate constituents. “When I spoke, he made me feel like I was the only one there,” is a description I have heard made about a popular president. What is a Magnetic Leader? They are people who can attract and align. A recent History Channel documentary described Admiral Nimitz as being “serene.” Not a term I would have thought to describe the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet campaign during W.W.II, nevertheless an excellent adjective chosen to represent his ability to remain calm and thoughtful during a time of chaos and extreme stress. What is the magic that makes some leaders so powerful and attractive? To answer that question, I looked deeper into my reservoirs of theory and practical experience and found that the key to empowered leadership lies in a few simple, yet profound practices. These are what I describe as the nine principles of Magnetic Leadership. These practices reflect our natural ability to attract and inspire passion in others by “being” or acting in a certain way. The Magnetic Leader is able to hold open a larger field of possibilities for others and has the ability to recognize and acknowledge the leader in others; in all of us. These are the nine components and qualities of “being” a Magnetic Leader. 1. Trust * Holding confidences in the workplace allows the ego to relax * Safety and predictability are magnets for others * Encourages self-acceptance 2. Beginners Mind * Beginners Mind – Being open to new ideas, project solutions, concepts, and experiences etc… * Relaxes the Ego’s need to have all the answers in the moment 3. Positive Focus * Focus on the 98% what is working with the project or in any situation *Going with what is working may within it carry the seeds for solving a previously unresolved challenge 4. Passion * “Pass - I – On” * Find and express your passion (what you love about your work * Look for and acknowledge what others love about their work too! 5. Personal Responsibility * Use I statements to verify accountability * Be forthright & accountable for your own actions, allow others to do the same * Refrain from telling others how they should be, act or believe. Focus on Self vs. others 6. Listening * Be 100% focused and engaged on what others say and don’t say * Refrain from side-talking, cross talking or interrupting when others are speaking * Refrain from formulating what you want to rebut or add to what is being shared 7. Giving Acknowledgement * Be authentic giving positive feedback * Notice when you want to add unsolicited comments or feedback and then release it without sharing * Even constructive criticism contains the seeds of judgment 8. Receiving Acknowledgement * Be willing to receive acknowledgement as the gift it is and allow it to sink in! * Resist the need to deflect the acknowledgement with self-critical comments * Play it simple just say thank-you 9. Balance * Become conscious of your need or habit of taking on excess in any form in your life * Magnetic leaders find ways of knowing when to say no and recognizing their human limitations Once these nine components are embraced and used everyday, you too can become a magnetic leader! Jim Stedt is a partner at The Business SoftSkills Company (GetSoftSkillsNow.Com) located in Santa Ana, California. They provide job readiness and workforce success videos for education, business, prisons and individual use. Training is available online, on DVD, or through an affiliate program. These products are the most complete and concise soft skills training packages now available for the price of an average college textbook.
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