Leading

There are going to be times in which you have to lead and make tough decisions. In organizations I think it is important as a leader to think about the long term strategy rather than the short term gain. I have recently experienced a situation that will be very difficult to handle. I have decided that it is neither in my best interest professionally nor monetarily to address but as a leader I cannot turn a blind eye. I think this is one of the times that will define a person as a leader. As a leader people have to understand you are addressing issues, making changes, or sacrifices based off of their best interest not yours. Until this level of trust has been built it is very unlikely you will be viewed as a leader.

As I have mentioned in the past I think there are 2 characteristics that a person can be categorized into by answering 2 simple questions.

1. When you arrive at an office are people happy to see you, are they glad to spend time with you, and are they upset when you leave?
2. When you arrive at the office are people on eggshells, do they change their behaviors, is the tension in the office higher, are they relieved after you go?

Obviously we would all like to be #1. The challenge is making people feel comfortable giving you the feedback if you are a #2.