Elizabeth Schack's Leadership Philosophy

My Leadership Philosophy

Leading others is hard work and takes time. People react differently to different people, and I believe a good leader has to be able to adjust what they are saying so that it registers to the people listening. I strive to be this type of person all the time. I am a democratic and transformational leader. I try to include everyone in decisions and be the type of leader who inspires people to work well. Below are my top ten qualities I believe should be in a good leader. I strive to have all of these qualities in my everyday life.

1. Listen
   Be attentive. If you want your workers to listen to you, you have to listen to them too. Hear what they’re saying to you and remember it--it may help you in the future.
   
   
2. Have a sense of humor
   Be understanding. Life happens, things don’t always work out perfectly. Understand that mistakes and accidents happen and there is nothing to change this. Accept this and next time just be prepared in the future for the next one.
   
   
3. Lead by example
   Be confident. If you want your workers to produce good work you need to show them how to do it. You’re the leader, you’re the role model. Show them how it’s done, but be open to new ideas. Have some humility though; everyone’s human, even you make mistakes.
   
   
4. Motivate, Motivate, Motivate
   Be enthusiastic and passionate. Make your workers know that what they are doing is important and that without them things would be much harder. Make them feel important so they know their work is important.
   
   
5. Be open to new ideas
   Be creative. Times change, methods need to change along with it. Ideas twenty years ago may have been great for that time, but they won’t work now. If there are new ideas to help make things better, it isn’t an insult to you. Your workers want to make the job more efficient for you and them. They're working with you not against you.
   
   
6. Gain Respect
   Be assertive. While it is great to be open to new ideas, don’t let your employees walk all over you. You’re the boss and they need to know it. Make sure you make choices for the good of the company, not because you don’t want to hurt somebody’s feelings.
   
   
7. Take time for yourself
   Be able to take a break. Being the boss can be stressful. Make sure you’re healthy and well or else nothing in your office will get done. You’re only as strong as your weakest link.
   
   
8. Communicate well
   Be clear. If you want something done, but nobody understands you, it won’t happen. Make sure you communicate your ideas well so there aren’t questions later. This way things will get done the first time. Ask questions and make sure people know what they are doing.
   
   
9. Work well with others
   Be cooperative. If nobody can work with you, how is work supposed to get done? Try to get along well with others.
   
   
10. Take Ownership
    Be responsible. Your teams work all comes down to you. Don’t be afraid to step up for the faults. Learn what went wrong and do better next time. But don’t blame anybody for anything. Your work represents you, so if you don’t want to look bad, make sure your work doesn’t.