Learn what every successful leader has discovered; embracing technigues universal with achieving success no matter what.
Five Principles of Leadership:
Among the many books and articles on leadership lie a great extent of helpful insights and techniques. Every volunteer leader has an opinion on what works and what doesn’t. If the true intention is to become an effective volunteer leader, do some home work. Search out for techniques that seem to universal with achieving success.
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible," according to Saint Francis of Assisi.
The 5 Principles
Principle #1: What Gets Measured, Gets Done!
As a volunteer leader, we could spend countless hours planning and meeting, but fail to accomplish a set goal. Volunteer leaders sometimes find themselves doing “busy” work versus doing “productive” work. Busy work is performing activity with no results. Doing productive work is performing activity that gains results. How can you tell the difference? Set a goal and document the results. It’s a fact, If it doesn’t get measured it doesn’t done.
The important rule is; ensure to measure what is important and relevant. Take it from Albert Einstein, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”
Principle #2: Define Your Moment: Make A Decision!
Any volunteer serving in a leadership role will always face a defining moment and tough decisions. Take the easy wait out or make the tough decision? Focusing so much on making the “right” decision can inevitably lead to leadership paralysis. It is not always easy to know the best decision. What's the best way to handle it? Embrace the defining moment and make the decision! "When a defining moment comes along, either you define the moment or the moment defines you.” - Tim McAvoy from the movie “Tin Cup.
Principle #3: Always K.I.S.S.
On every leadership decision and project, successful volunteer leaders always KISS! That’ right, they Keep It Simple & Straightforward. Experience shows, keeping decisions and tasks simple achieves results. Processes that are simple to understand make great transition plans for leaders next in command.
Principle #4: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail
Ben Franklin quoted "Failing to plan is planning to fail”. One of the greatest obstacles volunteer leaders face is actually putting together a plan that works. Planning helps volunteer leaders stay focused on what’s important. Leaders who don’t plan get caught up in other people's demands and plans. Planning helps minimize risk and makes tough decisions easier. Where there is no plan, there is no successful accomplishment.
Principle #5: It's Always Possible to Achieve the Impossible!
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible," according to Saint Francis of Assisi. . Leaders who have fun working together are those who stick to a plan. They keeping club chartering processes simple. They empower team members and expedite the paperwork without the process of micro-managing!
By David Kitchen, MBA (from "Volunteer Leadership: 7 Truths to Undisputed Success")