The Long-Term Residual Effect of Leadership Development

 The long-term RESIDUAL Effect of leadership development results in measurable benefits for your business or organization.

Our quality of life and accomplishments depend on personal relationships. In fact, authentic leadership is established and revealed by building relationships and developing people. The true essence of leadership is influence and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

 Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less. – John Maxwell

Like any other skill or profession, leadership can be learned and practiced. People are born with unlimited potential and gifted with specific talents, but not endowed with leadership skills once they come of age. Although education is extremely important, most of us were not taught about leadership in high school or college. Academic accomplishments do not necessarily make the leader. There are a lot of talented, educated people who never seem to rise to their level of academic accomplishment. Learning leadership requires a commitment to continuing leadership education, relationship building skills, and real world experience.

In business, leadership is merely being in charge, keeping track of sales and marketing metrics, and the bottom line. Measuring the organization’s leadership acumen is equally important, if not more. The strength of a business or organization relies on effective servant- leaders.  As a leader, you may be asking a few of these questions. How can I make my business, or organization grow?  How can I invest in my team?  Can I improve communication between co-workers and departments? Do my people feel valued and respected? Is my team aligned with our company mission statement and core values?  How should I best articulate our company values, mission statement, and create a collective vision? I believe the answer is: A leadership development/ personal growth plan.

There is a myth perpetrated by Hollywood of the lone ranger or superhero character riding or flying off into the sunset. If you know leaders with a superhero complex, they’re not accurately portraying leadership. I’ve heard it said that if a leader proclaims that it’s lonely at the top, it’s probably because no one is following them up the mountain!

If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following, then you are just taking a walk. —Benjamin Hooks

Seven reasons why personal growth and leadership development is vital:

1.  Live an intentional life: When you decide to pursue personal growth you will embrace the daily disciplines and the necessary belief system, for discovering your purpose. Knowing your purpose causes you to live intentionally and actively pursue your goals and dreams as well as empowering the people you serve.
2. Recognize the necessity for personal development: The best coaches, teachers, trainers, and business owners have coaches and mentors, and invest in personal development. Leadership is a process that begins with personal growth. John Maxwell says; “You must know yourself to grow yourself.”  Your team will follow your example.
3. Grow leaders and grow your business: Success is not measured by the size of your business or organization; it is measured by the personal growth and leadership acumen of your people. How many leaders you are developing?  Invest in your leaders and develop an inner circle of leaders with whom you can depend on.
4. Leadership accountability creates transparency: The leader of a company or organization who invests in personal growth and leadership development creates open communication, authenticity and transparency throughout the organization.
5. Expand your capacity for business and organizational growth: Companies and organizations that utilize leadership development programs actually perform better. The more a company focuses on people and internal leadership growth, the better its sales, profits and profit margins.
6. Cultivate teamwork and innovation: Work with teams to bolster creativity, new ideas, and innovations by developing people at all levels in the organization — not just the top level. A growth plan results in improvements in delegating tasks, improves decision-making; creates more efficiency and time savings.
7. Build unity and a collective vision: Your personal growth and leadership development plan enhances your ability to articulate this vision. An intentional leader has the ability to articulate a compelling future that people want to be part of.

This book is a compellation of what I’ve learned and my personal business and organizational leadership experiences over the last twenty-five years. I am also a student of the Maxwell Philosophy, and certified by John Maxwell to teach his six core learning systems on personal growth, communication, leadership, and business development. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur just getting started, or a seasoned business professional, an investment in leadership will payout huge dividends. How can I help you grow?