L.E.A.D.E.R. Questions

The word “leader” stands for someone who leads, enables, articulates, decides, encourages, and rewards. Although these are not the only traits exhibited by successful leaders, they do epitomize those characteristics shared by nearly all those who successfully influence others. Besides applying the general guidelines noted above, those seeking to become effective leaders should ask themselves critical questions as part of an on-going effort to improve their leadership skills. Indeed, those who exercise responsibility for leadership must never fail to critically examine their leadership skills and remedy their deficiencies. One useful tool for accomplishing this goal is the following leadership survey based on the work of T.M. Georges:

Lead

1. Do others view me as a leader? Why or why not?
2. What are my strengths as a leader? My weaknesses?
3. Do I give others the correct amount of autonomy and responsibility?
4. How would others describe my leadership style?

Enable

1. Do I help others to do their work more effectively?
2. Do I provide the necessary physical and material resources to do the job?
3. Do others view me as a moderator, facilitator, guide, and enabler?
4. Do others look to me for assistance and advice to accomplish their tasks?

Articulate

1. Have I articulated a coherent, realizable vision that inspires others?
2. Have I set challenging goals for myself and others?
3. Have I done a good job of communicating my vision or mission to others?
4. Is my vision compatible with the corporate culture?

Decide

1. Do I consult others before reaching a decision?
2. Do I make decisions in a forthright and timely manner?
3. Do others respect my decision-making ability?
4. Do I delegate decision-making responsibility, or do I try to make all decisions myself?

Encourage

1. Do I encourage freedom, innovation, and creativity?
2. Do I encourage activities and behaviors that lead to accomplishing stated goals?
3. How do I encourage others? Is my way of encouraging effective?
4. Am I known as someone that encourages thinking and acting “outside the box”?

Reward

1. How often do I reward others?
2. What types of rewards do I employ?
3. How do I know that my rewards are something others actually value?
4. Are there certain activities that I reward too often? Too little?

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