Lead by Guiding Values

Wise leaders create guiding values for themselves and the organizations they lead. These values form the foundation for the organization’s culture and function as a guiding light for coworkers, helping them make correct decisions and work toward common goals.

These values are best reflected in time-tested principles, which are deep, fundamental truths with universal application. These truths address laws that are as firm in “human physics” as the law of gravitation is in natural physics. For example, the law of gravity says that if you drop an object from the roof of a building it will fall to the ground. We know, with absolute certainty that this will happen every time we do it and we don’t question it. In the same way these human truths are equally reliable. They are not only a set of values, but they are the foundations of human effectiveness and interaction.
When leaders align with universal principles such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, honesty, compassion, excellence and perseverance they create the conditions for long-lasting success.

King Solomon, a leader synonymous with wisdom, says: “A good man is guided by his honesty.”
Leaders have to be clever and competent, but they must also have sound values and a powerful sense of integrity. In good times as well as bad the most effective leaders stay true to their unique set of values. They do what is right and tell the truth in all areas of life. That doesn’t say they are perfect or that the struggle to be true to themselves and their values isn’t a life-long journey. And it’s not just in the major decisions that this quality is needed; integrity in little things is equally important. There are no degrees of integrity. You either have it or you don’t.

We value honesty more than any other virtue and we appreciate people who represent a strong value system. If we are to follow someone, whether it is in business, school, or politics, we want to feel faith and confidence in that person.

Solomon says: “It is far better not to say you’ll do something than to say you will and then not do it.”

We expect our leaders to set a good example and act in an exemplary and positive way. Effective leaders live as they learn through acting in accordance with vision and values. As the saying goes: Our actions speak louder than words. That our words and deeds are aligned constitutes the basis for credibility of leadership.

Wise leaders set a good example by acting in accordance with higher values. Those values permeate their behavior and promote confidence. They range from creating good relations to fully completing tasks. Quality and creativity are the key words.

What the leader spends time on and pays attention to counts. Wise leaders deliberately devote time to the group’s viability and development. Supporting both the group and the individual becomes the norm. When people in the group see that words and deeds are consistent, this creates credibility. And it is through being credible that a leader can encourage a long-term commitment from the group.

Solomon says: “Without wise leadership, a nation is in trouble; but with good counselors there is safety.”
Wise leaders understand their role of creating the arena for their employee’s success. Such an arena makes it possible for the employees to feel inspired challenged and that they are working towards an exciting future worth fighting for. It makes it possible to interact in a winning way in relation to their surroundings. We as individuals are unique and at the same time complementary. To develop fully, we need supportive leadership.

Some leaders create “leadership by enthusiasm” when facing a task with themselves at the center. Others lead by providing a clear picture of the situation and opportunities available in it. Still others have a more methodical, step by step manner of leading the group. A wise leader provides a sense of continuity for the group and defines limits that all have to comply with – especially the leader him/herself – regardless of their leadership style.

Solomon says: “Whatever you do, do well.”

We all possess a greater potential within us. The question is where do we find the situation and the people that can bring out this greater good. “How can I create my future” and “How can I lift those around me” will be the key questions for enhanced leadership.

Wise leaders realize that there is only one way to go. It is to deepen one’s own awareness of and confidence in the future. The responsibility that lies before us as leaders is to always operate for the good, for a better future, and a better world. This is a deep understanding of and commitment to the values that possess a weight and validity beyond one’s own self, and which gives life greater quality and larger dimensions.

To become a wiser leader:

• Empower your co-workers to participate in the development of the group’s common guiding principles. Ask question and discuss: What do we want to stand for? What do we consider as truly important? How do we want to interact with each other and others in order to provide value?
• Set aside time for your own reflection on what you value and what you want to stand for in your life and leadership.
• Deal with those in your environment with dignity and respect.
• Devote time to the group’s viability and development.
• Know and honor your commitments and promises to the entire group.
• Serve as a good example when it comes to relationships, attitudes, and work habits.
• Know that what you, as the leader, spend time on and pay attention to counts.
• Create the arena for your employee’s success.
• Always operate for the good, a better future, and a better world.

Questions for your personal reflection:
I present you with the following questions and exercises to reflect over, as seeds for your own exploration and development.

1. Think of 2-3 people you admire who have influenced you positively. They may be managers, teachers, parents, relatives, friends, sports leaders, historic figures, etc.
   a) What do you most admire about these people? Write out the names of the 2-3 people you are thinking of and 2-3 key words that describe what you most admire about each person.
   b) Which of these people’s characteristics would you like to develop?
2. Imagine you have been selected as the Leader of the Year. You are invited to a meeting where representatives from industry and politics will honor you for your efforts. Several people will praise your achievements and character. Write down the words you would most like to hear. Which descriptions would make you proud?
   What weakness are you hoping they will not have noticed?
3. What are your organization’s core values?

August 2010

In everything we do, in any endeavor we undertake in life we will get different outcome, as we saw so shall we reap, as we reflected on in last month issue. There is one skill that has help people to reach their dreams more than any other and that is diligence.

The dictionary describes diligence as, “A persistent and hard-working effort in doing something.” To be persistent is to keep on keeping on until you succeed. To be diligent is also to be zealous and careful in how you are doing something with the end result in mind. It’s striving for the highest quality of excellence in the tasks you are carrying out.

In what areas in your professional and private life do you need to be more diligent to attain a result that is of the highest quality of excellence?

Lead With Wisdom

We are living today in a global world with rapid technological development and constant information flowing all around us. It has been estimated that our overall knowledge doubles every two or three years. In the face of this, there is a greater need than ever for leaders who seek wisdom in order to lead with integrity and build long-term success and lasting value for companies, organizations, and society at large.

In an environment that emphasizes short-term objectives and rapid results, there is a demand for insight into the principle that what is worth striving for takes time and requires persistence to achieve. This is true whether one seeks to create good family relationships, build a prosperous company, or promote a well-functioning society.

Solomon says, “Have two goals: wisdom-that is, knowing and doing right-and common sense. Don’t let them slip away, for they fill you with living energy and are a feather in your cap. They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail.”

Wisdom is different from knowledge, experience or intelligence. Wisdom is how we use those qualities in an ethical and morally sound way. Wisdom provides a deep insight into what’s true, right and lasting; something that every human being will hopefully come to value during a lifetime.

Solomon says: “Now give me wisdom and knowledge to properly guide this people.”

It is written that when Solomon was crowned as Israel’s king and leader, God appeared to him in a dream, offering that any particular gift would be granted to him. So, what did Solomon ask for? Did he say: “How much money do I get for that kind of a job? Is there a nice office? How is the benefit program, by the way?” Not exactly. Instead Solomon asked for wisdom.

When we ask for wisdom it’s not about ourself, it’s about others; the people around us, the people we lead. How can we contribute to their development? How can we guide so that we all move together towards the future objectives we identify and, therefore, ALL reap the benefit?

When he asks for wisdom, Solomon demonstrates that he is more of a servant leader. He is interested in how he, as a leader, can give instead of what he can get. He understands that when he guides his people so they will succeed, he succeeds. Think about what would happen if more leaders saw themselves as servant leaders.

When Solomon asked for wisdom he got so much more. For wisdom gives as Solomon says: “A long, good life, riches, honor, pleasure, peace“.

The message here is that the individual who searches for wisdom will receive inspiration and reward in every aspect of living – which guides each seeker to a rich life, in the truest sense of the word.

We have all the potential to grow in wisdom and have a deeper connection with our values and ourselves so we will make wiser decisions contributing to a more fulfilling life and making the world a better place. It will take time, reflection, the willingness to constantly learn, and, most important of all, the decision to grow in wisdom.

To become a wiser leader:

• Make the decision to grow in wisdom and become a wise, secure and strong leader
• Let your decisions become more important than circumstances or desires for the moment.
• Guide and support the people around you so they can succeed and you will succeed.
• Regularly take time off for thinking and for personal reflection, to get perspective on how you are living and leading, and to listen for inner guidance.

Questions for your personal reflection:

1. What do you take with you as most important for your own development from the article?
2. What two concrete actions can you start doing this week to create more wisdom in your life and leadership?

July 2010

Your life today is the result of your believes, attitudes and choices in the past. What you have given priority to learn, those whom you have chosen to socialize with, who you decide to live with, what you have chosen to believe in, and so on, all affect your outcome.

Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today. When you take new steps of development with regard to your believes, attitudes and actions, you start development in your life and leadership. What you are getting out of life will thus depend on the on the effort that you yourself put in, how great it is, the quality it consists of and with what consistency.

What important choices can you make today that in a few years will make a big difference in your life and leadership?

Reflect and act on these Questions this week

First read through Part 1- 6 about how to Lead by example.

I present you with the following questions and exercises to reflect over, as seeds for your own exploration and development.

This week take an honest “look in the mirror” to see if your actions are aligned with what you preach.

1. Take note of the decisions and choices you are making, from how you start your day until the last thing you do in the evening before you go to sleep.

Ask yourself – are what I chose to do aligned with what matters to me and with what I want to stand for?

2. What do I need to be more aware of in my life and leadership?

3. What can I start doing to show and communicate more clearly what I stand for in my life and leadership?

Part 6

We all possess a greater potential within us. The question is where we find the situation and the persons that can attract this greater betterment that we carry within us.

How I can create my future and how I can lift my surroundings will be the key questions for my leadership.

Wise leaders realize that there is only one way to go. It is to deepen one’s own awareness of and confidence in the future.

The example and responsibility that lay before us as leaders are to always operate for the good, a better future, and a better world.

This is a deep conviction of the values that possess a weight and validity beyond one’s own self, and which gives life qualities and larger dimensions.

To summarize this week

To become a wiser leader:
• Lead by example by acting in accordance with higher values.
• What you as the leader spends time and attention to count.
• Be trustworthy by serving as a model and good example.
• Align what you practice with what you preach.
• It’s not only what you do, but also HOW you do what you do.
• Keep your commitments and promises to the entire group.
• Create the arena for your employee’s success.
• Deal with your environment with dignity and respect.
• Have the highest demands of yourself.
• Be the model of the behavior you want to see when it comes to relationships, attitudes, and work habits.
• Always operate for the good, a better future, and a better world.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead using your most precious asset”.

I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead using your most precious asset the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 5

Wise leaders understand their role to create the arena for their employee’s success. The arena makes it possible to interact in a winning way in relation to its surroundings.

We as individuals are unique and at the same time complementary and need a supportive leadership to develop fully.

Some leaders create leadership by enthusiasm when facing a task with themselves at the center.

Others lead by providing a clear picture of the situation and opportunities.

Others still have a more orderly manner to lead their group further to the development, taking it step by step.

A wise leader provides a sense of continuity for the team and defines limits that all have to comply with, mainly the leader himself.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 4

Wise leaders walk the talk. They know that its not what they say, but what they do that count. They keep their promises and commit to do the right thing.

By keeping promises to themselves and their environment they build confidence and trust.

This is the source for excellent performance from themselves as well as the group creating value and lasting success.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 3

Wise leaders know the best way to integrate values and ethics into the thinking of their coworkers is by modeling good character and excellent performance themselves.

They know that it’s not only what they do, but also HOW they do what they do that count.

We expect our leaders to set a good example and act in an exemplary and positive way.

Wise and effective leaders live as they learn through acting in accordance with vision and values.

As the saying goes: Our actions say more than words. That our words and deeds are aligned constitutes the basis for credibility of leadership.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 2

Wise leaders know the importance of being trustworthy.

They align what they practice with what they preach.

They do what they say they will do.

When the environment sees that words and deeds are consistent, it creates credibility. And it is through being credible that a leader can bring a long-term commitment in the group.

When you lead by example, you make it easy for others to follow you.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad