Leadership Information

What Kind of Leader Are You?


You are a leader if someone is following you. This could be as simple as one person watching you and following your example and encouragement, to being a leader in your home, your community, your workplace or even your nation. Leadership can take many forms, but typically it often involves managing people- one of the most difficult of all tasks. It means coordinating and motivating the actions of others to achieve a common goal. A leader has to establish that goal, and gain the willing agreement of others to be governed by and work together towards that goal.

The style of leadership taken by any leader is usually predetermined by the personality and motivational values of that person. They are who they are, as a personality, and that has a strong influence on the way they lead and communicate with others.

The study of personality traits has been on going for centuries, and there is a great deal of agreement in the conclusions and findings of personality characteristics. In this article I am going to refer to the different types of personality in color form, adopts the categories applied by Linda Berens and Don Lowry.

Every personality type has particular talents and skills that lend themselves to good leadership. Any form of leadership however, is greatly enriched and enhanced if it is able to draw on the strengths and characteristics of the other styles.

A leader who has a strong Gold personality type is personally committed and dedicated to the goal. They work hard, and expect their team to do the same. They lead from a place of belief that the work is important, and has to be done right. Gold leaders value tradition- the ways of the past are proven ways, and so do not take well to new ideas unless they are well proven to have potential.

Leaders with a strong Blue personality are motivated by their commitment to the people involved, and a strong sense of community. They have a democratic style of management, valuing the input of employees and team workers. Blue leaders tend to see the big picture, and have the ability to inspire others with the vision.

The strong Green leadership style also sees the big picture as well as the complexity of detail. Green leaders excel in strategy. They bring intellect, ingenuity and design into the leadership role. They research and analyze facts and concepts, constantly looking for improvements for working smarter rather than harder. Facts and information are all important to the Green leader, and they pay little attention to the value of feelings and relationships.

Action is the focus of the Orange leader. Administration and organization exist to make action possible. They are great troubleshooters. The Orange leader leads by example, setting the standard to follow. Orange management style can be quite authoritarian and abrupt as they are impatient with opposition, and expect their directions to be followed. Above all Orange leaders welcome change believing that the old ways can always be improved on. A new project represents, adventure, a challenge and potential fun, all of which the Orange personality thrives on.

Every leader has a combination of all four personalities, but one will always be the stronger, more natural way to operate in. A leader's style may also be a blend of their main strength, combined with their second strongest style. A wise leader will understand the strengths and weaknesses of their personal leadership style and use those team members with different styles to bring balance and greater efficiency in meeting the shared goal.

For more leadership and teambuilding resources.

Barbara White is the President of Beyond Better Development. As a speaker and author, Barbara brings her passion and expertise in leadership development to work with people to help them grow towards excellence in their personal and professional life. For more articles visit http://www.livingbeyondbetter.com

  


MORE RESOURCES:

Markel Corporation Announces Two Leadership Positions for Markel ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
He has also held a variety of leadership positions within Markel including assistant vice president, marketing services; vice president, marketing services; ...


Stratix Expands Leadership Team With the Addition of Industry ...
MarketWatch - 15 hours ago
... a leading mobile enterprise solutions integrator is pleased to announce the addition of Jim Collins to its executive leadership team. ...
Stratix Expands Leadership Team With the Addition of Industry ... International Business Times
all 18 news articles


BBC News

A new dawn of American leadership has arrived, says Obama
Independent, UK - 6 hours ago
By Leonard Doyle in Washington Barack Obama called for a "a new dawn of American leadership" yesterday as he formally introduced his once bitter rival for ...
Video: Obama Picks Gates, Clinton for Foreign Policy AssociatedPress
National Security Team Reinforces Obama's Commitment to Elevating ... MarketWatch
Success of Clinton Choice Hinges on Rapport Washington Post
Los Angeles Times - U.S. News & World Report
all 3,900 news articles


Leadership Gap in China
Washington Post, United States - Nov 30, 2008
In the midst of a global financial crisis, the world has come to China's doorstep seeking leadership. Yet China's leaders have largely kept the door shut, ...


How local lawmakers did in KS legislative leadership races...
Kansas City Star, MO - 9 hours ago
He's the only new addition to the list of local lawmakers in leadership positions. Rep. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican, retained his position as the House ...


Commentary: Leadership key to preventing genocide
CNN - 7 hours ago
By Madeleine K. Albright and William S. Cohen Editor's note: Madeleine K. Albright is former US secretary of state. William S. Cohen is former US secretary ...


Skelos may be part of Senate leadership talks for weeks
Newsday, NY - 22 hours ago
So far, Minority Leader Malcolm Smith falls three Democratic votes short of the 32 needed to win the majority leadership. But aides and allies of Smith ...


The Sacramento Bee's Capital Alert

Steinberg names leadership team
Bizjournals.com, NC - 8 hours ago
New state Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg from Sacramento announced his leadership team for the 2009-2010 legislative session Monday. Sen. ...
Video: Steinberg Takes Top Senate Post kcratv
Senate Democrats announce new leadership team PolitickerCA
Steinberg names leadership team Sacramento Bee
News10.net
all 9 news articles


The Leadership Promise
Huffington Post, NY - 9 hours ago
Welcome to the first in a three part installment on leadership challenges Barack Obama will face in guiding our country through these difficult times. ...


Morris, Vratil easily defeat challengers in Senate leadership contest
Kansas Liberty, KS - 4 hours ago
Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, elected speaker of the House Monday, the leadership of the Senate will find itself working against a familiar conservative - and ...
O'Neal beats Neufeld for KS House Speaker; Mods maintain control ... Kansas City Star
House, Senate to pick leaders Lawrence Journal World
KS Republicans Choose New Speaker of the House KSNT
Salina Journal - Kansas Liberty
all 35 news articles

leadership - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.