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Setting there in my leather chair at my desk, I listened to one of my ranking employees discuss to a new applicant, the level of effort, aptitude and valor that was required if to be successful if hired onto our agency. Sipping on my cup of hot tea, I set quietly as he explained what the level of expectancy and effort was required, not by me, but by all the employees on my agency. I realized at that moment as a smile crept across my face that the level of expectations that I had first molded, had not only settled inside my employee's minds, but it also had crept into the very fibers of their lives and had become a part of who they were. Immediately I realized that my expectations were not any longer just mine, but that they had filtered down and that now each of my employees had adopted the same level of expectancy.

Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs an organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, knowledge, and skills. In today's world there is a great need for good and ethical leadership. We need people of all ages and backgrounds to take advantage of the myriad of opportunities that exist to make a difference in our world.

When discussing business leadership, the distinction between management and leadership is often made. There is a clear line between the differences of leadership skills and management skills.  Managers are thought to be the budgeters, the organizers, the controllers the ants of the farm, while leaders are the charismatic, visionaries, and the ones who change the whole ant farm.

A leader has the skill to remove obstacles that others see in their paths and provide the opportunity for growth, development and performance within a team. Leaders have the ability to influences others to accomplish an objective in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, knowledge and skills. Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something that is right because he decides that he wants to do it. As a leader, he or she generally has the skills to motivate people to want to attain goals and has the ability to hold others together until they can reach that goal. The ability to set direction and vision for their organization is the most important skill that a leader must posses.

Management on the other hand is about directing and controlling others according to established guidelines and values that already are established by leaders. Managers are taught what they need to do by the principles that they are trained to administer. The problem with managers who do not possess leadership skills is that they do not have the devotion of their employees or organizations. You cannot buy your employee's enthusiasm, hearts, or loyalty. You must earn them! You can only expect to get back what you have put into it. Managers without leadership skills only direct others they do not lead others.

The functions of leadership are diverse depending on the type of leadership style in action, which is dependent on the leaders basis of power. Most leaders make use of a combination of different types of leadership styles. Authoritarian leaders, for example, use a mixture of coercive and reward attributes, to dictate the policies, plans and activities of a group. In comparison, a democratic leader would use mainly directions involving all members of the group in the decision-making process. Leadership itself has been accompanied throughout time, by numerous theories, claiming to answer the question, Are leaders born or made? Those who accept the verdict, that leaders are born and not made, maintain, that there are certain inborn qualities such as aptitude of intelligence, valor and spirit which altogether pre-destine a man to be a leader. Until the mid-1940s, these theories formed the basis of most leadership research believed to be characteristic of leaders. These lists grew in length over years, to include all manner of physical and personality factors and communication skills. However, the theories failed as few traits emerged to irrefutably differentiate leaders from non-leaders. The sole factors that a person's traits will constitute him or her a leader are improbable. Nevertheless, it can naturally be seen that some individuals are more likely than others to assume leadership positions. The research on trait theories of leadership has shown that many other factors are important in determining successful leadership. Leadership is a combination of person's characteristic attributes to perform at a level of excellence in their lives, based off their aptitude, believes and values blended with the environment and their exposures in life.

The modern world has become a place of constant change and transformation. In this environment, success depends on how well organizations recognize and adapt to change. For a leader to drive their agency through the barriers of a constant changing environment, he or she must have a focus point, a goal in sight. Enduring setbacks while maintaining the ability to show others the way to go forward is a true test of leadership. The leaders must motivate their subordinates to help them see the reward at the end and constantly keep them on tract of that goal.

Each situation, each environment, and each group of people requires a different approach of leadership. If a leader can appreciate that different approaches are required for different situations, then a leader can be successful at his or her goal. Sometimes a leader and follower can complement each other thus strengthening the environment in that they are working. Therefore, in my own observations I have seen various ranks of leaders and ranks of followers and each side of the line can have leadership.

Leadership requires leading by example. When you remove leading by example, all you have left is "ship." The "Leader" is gone. The most valor of Generals are remembered by being out and leading their troops, not setting in a tent watching the battles from afar.  Leadership comes with it the responsibility to lead by example. As a leader I would eliminate potential barriers my employees couldn't see and expand my vision with the insight of others creating a more successful end result. As a leader, your efforts are to provide your employees with the insight that they are part of the big picture, a part of the success.

One cannot buy enthusiasm, heart, or loyalty of an employee. One must earn them and can only get what he himself has put into it. Low morale and an inadequate feeling of self worth are deadly combinations. Not only will low morale affect employees work production, but also it will generate problems and complaints. Motivated employees will result in a higher and more effective work performance by the employees and would help provide a greater incentive to remain employed with the agency. Good leaders create visions, pictures of the future, of paint a clear picture of where they want to take their organizations. Leaders can improve both the quality and acceptance of the vision by partnering with their team or employees.

Communication is the real work of leadership Great leaders; spend the bulk of their time communicating with others. Leaders have the aptitude to distill their message clearly to other key players. When a leader clearly expresses positive and clear communication to their employees or team, a level of motivation cultivates in each person and they will desire to work harder for you. No matter how complex it may be great communicators have an appreciation understand the people they're trying to reach. What you say is only the beginning, your behavior, your actions, and your decisions are also ways of communicating. Leaders have to learn how to create a consistent message through all of these.

A good leader has the uncanny ability to inspire loyalty. Those abound him or her will go to great lengths to support and make their leader look good in the eyes of others.  Leaders inspire, infuriate and challenge us. A good leader has the ability to stay focused and to see the big picture. They view problems from every angle providing the ability to strategically attack any problem. They provide a calm center in the midst of crisis and somehow convey the feeling that someway everything will be all right in the end. One of the best qualities that a good leader demonstrates is the ability to recognize, and bring out the potential in others.

Good leaders do not hoard the spotlight, but shares responsibility and the credit for a job well done. They provide and credit others for their achievements. They create a situation where everyone benefits from a team effort. Good leaders are the conductors of the workplace, keeping all the different elements flowing together to create a unified environment with the same successful outcome.

It is paramount that effective leaders have the ability to make good decisions, especially in moments of crisis and under pressure. This is especially true when we cross into the ranks of middle and upper management. Good decision-making will therefore increase overall organizational efficiency.

Leadership Principle: #1: Be prepared.

Being prepared as a leader is paramount. That means learning as much as possible about your department, your role in the organization, and the expectations of your superiors. It means knowing what you are talking about prior to making a presentation or statement about facts. 

Preparation makes all the difference in your ability to present yourself as a leader who cares and intends to lead the department toward rising success. As an informed leader you will be prepared to make accurate and difficult decisions. As a successful leader, you are required to know what you are talking about prior to making a presentation or statement about facts.  During my career as a Police Chief, I use to make sure that prior to presenting something to my City Council, I had everything I needed and had attacked all my points with questions prior to going in. This assured me that I was prepared for any questions, concerns or rebuttals prior to talking with them.

Leadership Principle # 2: Be a good decision maker.

Making the right choice at the right time can determine your success or failure as a leader. Not all decisions have to be made on the spot, but some require it. If you can take time to make a decision, weigh all options before making a decision. The outcome of your decision will often impact a variety of areas within the organization.  Inaction is like a vacuum. If you don't make a decision someone else will. Do not allow your decisions to be usurped because of procrastination. A well-informed leader will be able to make decisions based on the best interest of the department and organization.

Leadership Principle #3: Expect problems.

Leadership is no bed of roses. There are always problems in leadership, no matter how good the leader. The unexpected will happen. Someone will always have a problem. Leaders should prepare their staff to expect problems and unforeseen circumstance and prepare them to attack them when they arise.

Good leaders plan for the best, the think successfully, they imagine successful outcomes. They do not live on the edge of their seat anticipating the worst.  They are however, smart enough to know that problems will arise. Meetings run late. Mail doesn't arrive on time. Employees get sick.  Things happen.

As a effective leader, you should be focused on the successful results that you and your department will achieve, however, it is crucial that you, as a leader, be flexible enough to maneuver yourself and your team through the unexpected.

Leadership Principle #4:  Focus on success and goals.

Leadership requires keeping a focal point on the successful outcome of your goals. It requires keeping your team driven and motivated to achieve the success at the end of your goal. It's easy for you and your employees to forget the big picture as you deal with daily problems. As the leader, it is your job to keep the primary focus of successfully achieving your goal on the sightline for yourself and your employees.

Every employee should be committed to reaching your primary goal. If the focus of your objective gets lost, this will result in inefficiency and failure to meet organization and their goals. It is your job to remind your team every day of their primary focus and to keep them motivated for success.

Leadership Principle #5: Don't allow others to determine your destiny.

Every leader must accept that they are subject to scrutiny and open to criticism. Everyone operates at a different level consistent with his or her core value and at times a leader's values may be open to criticism. You cannot please people one-hundred percent of the time. There is always someone who believes they have a better idea, policy, or procedure. Staying calm, cool and collect when verbally attacked is very important. No one gets ahead by going toe-to-toe or rebutting defensibly.

As a police chief, I occasionally heard of "better ways" to do things from others who had no knowledge of law enforcement. Although some had good ideas, those who were simply out to criticize, never altered the direction I or my department was heading.

Critics are often more vocal than any supporter you may have. That does not mean that you should change your objectives, way of doing things or leadership style, just because someone doesn't like them. Constructive criticism isn't bad, and listening to what others have to say can learn much. But when you are attacked by negative criticism, and you will, you must be determined to remain focused on he success of your goal.

 
 Leadership Principle #6: Keep your word.

Strong leaders are trustworthy leaders. Ethics is everything to a leader. Once a leader gives his or her word, they are then bind to do everything possible to keep it. The best way to build trust is to deal truthfully with your team, employees and citizens. Having a team or employees who know that they can trust and depend on you to look out for them and the organization, they will not only feel more secure working for you, but they will produce successful results at a greater rate.

Being a trustworthy leader, helps build trustworthy employees.