3 tips for balancing being an energiser, educator & enforcer

Imagine you are a leader. You will develop your own leadership style, but there are also some useful models that you can apply in your own way. Good leaders, for example, often combine the elements of being an energiser, educator and enforcer. Let’s explore these areas.

* You can be an energiser.

Good leaders provide an inspiring vision. They communicate a clear strategy and show people the road towards achieving the picture of perfection. Team members must be self-motivated - but they can also be lifted by a leader who is energetic and enthusiastic. How would you rate yourself as an energiser for your team? Do this on a scale 0 – 10. Then describe what you can do to maintain or improve the rating.

The rating I would give myself as an energiser for my team is: ___ /10

The specific things I can do to maintain or improve the rating are:

*

* You can be an educator.

Good leaders provide an encouraging environment in which people can develop. Team members are then more able to execute the strategy and achieve the picture of perfection. Good leaders pass-on their knowledge in many different ways. When appropriate, for example, they explain their decision-making process. They outline the challenges, choices, consequences, creative solutions and conclusions. People are then more equipped to make decisions in their daily work. This releases the leader to shape tomorrow’s business, rather than get stuck in managing today’s business. How do you rate yourself as an educator for your team? Do this on a scale 0 – 10. Then describe what you can do to maintain or improve the rating.

The rating I would give myself as an educator for my team is: ___ /10

The specific things I can do to maintain or improve the rating are:

*

* You can be an enforcer.

Good leaders provide the compass - the code of conduct - for the team. They also enforce the Dos and Don’ts for achieving the picture of perfection. Good ‘enforcement’ comes from providing the moral compass that everybody wants to implement. People see how following certain guidelines will help them to achieve success. Old style leaders sometimes relied on autocratic enforcement without providing education. They ended-up chasing their own tails, complaining about the quality of staff. How would you rate yourself as an enforcer for your team? Do this on a scale 0 – 10. Then describe what you can do to maintain or improve the rating.

The rating I would give myself as an enforcer for my team is: ___ /10

The specific things I can do to maintain or improve the rating are:

*

Energy provides inspiration, but education enables people to achieve excellence. Enforcement is crucial to provide the compass and credo. Great leaders combine all three elements to increase the chances of success.

You can find more ideas on this theme at:

http://www.thestrengthsway.com