{"id":182,"date":"2021-11-22T02:00:46","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T02:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/andreasvonderheydt.com\/?p=182"},"modified":"2022-03-29T07:11:26","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T07:11:26","slug":"successful-leaders-live-by-lightning-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/andreasvonderheydt.com\/de\/successful-leaders-live-by-lightning-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"Successful Leaders Live By Lightning Principles"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is in your opinion more important in order to become and to stay a successful leader:<\/p>\n

To acquire and to possess the “right\u201c leadership characteristics, or to follow and to live by clear leadership principles?<\/b><\/p>\n

From my perspective, and although the two aspects are certainly interlinked, they are two separate issues which are equally important. Unfortunately, it is a neglected facet in today\u00b4s debate on effective and sustainable leadership.<\/p>\n

Let me start with a short anecdote: Some weekends ago I privately attended a seminar about leadership and team development. Sunday over lunch I had the pleasure being seated together with some C-level executives of multinational organizations as well as owners of small and mid-sized companies.<\/p>\n

We talked a lot about generic business challenges, current and anticipated management trends, complex leadership situations which we\u00b4ve been in over the years, and possible training and development ideas for future leaders. The discussion gained significant momentum when we started talking about which traits great leaders do possess. Some put forward the idea that it requires specific personality traits like authenticity, charisma, etc. Others argued that it\u00b4s all about skills and abilities. A third group mixed the two previous opinions. As you rightly imagine it was a very diverse exchange of statements and comments which never stood a chance arriving at a mutual consent.<\/p>\n

The conversation got really stimulating when one executive \u2013 she\u00b4s the COO of a large financial firm \u2013 expressed that based on her experience the crucial influencing factor of true and lasting success of any leader is not only to possess the (presumably) right leadership characteristics, but also and foremost to follow and to live in an honest and authentic way clear leadership principles.<\/p>\n

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES<\/b><\/p>\n

I wholeheartedly agree with her in the sense of defining the term principle as a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.<\/i><\/p>\n

Saying that, there\u00b4s no doubt in my mind that you can only become a good leader, if you exhibit and display certain leadership qualities and characteristics (read more about them here). In addition, however, and to evolve into an outstanding leader, you need to be clear about your and your organization\u00b4s leadership principles which you should constantly and rigorously communicate, apply, and live by.<\/p>\n

Solid leadership principles allow you, your teams, peers, and business partners to obtain and to give guidance. They transmit purpose to your work and life. Like a torch or a compass they assist in directing behavior towards objectives and activities. Moreover, when principles are sincerely practiced based on authenticity, honesty, generosity, courage, respect, and flexibility then you can build valuable and lasting relationships.<\/p>\n

In this respect the following three dimensions should be addressed and evaluated:<\/b><\/p>\n