Principles of Effective Leadership

Principles of Leadership

Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Leadership

Begin with Praise and Honest Appreciation

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." - Margaret Cousins

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Call Attention to People’s Mistakes Indirectly

"Correction does much, but encouragement does more." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Talk about Your Own Mistakes Before Criticizing the Other Person

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela

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Ask Questions Instead of Giving Direct Orders

"I not only use all the brains that I have but all that I can borrow." - Woodrow Wilson

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Let the Other Person Save Face

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Plato

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Praise the Slightest Improvement and Praise Every Improvement; Be “Hearty in Your Approbation and Lavish in Your Praise”

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." - Voltaire

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Give the Other Person a Fine Reputation to Live Up To

"People will live up to the reputation you create for them." - Lois McMaster Bujold

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Use Encouragement; Make the Fault Seem Easy to Correct

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person." - Mother Teresa

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Make the Other Person Happy about Doing the Thing You Suggest

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

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Principle 3

Talk about Your Own Mistakes Before Criticizing the Other Person

• Build Rapport: Share your own mistakes and lessons learned to create a relatable and non-threatening atmosphere.
• Demonstrate Authenticity: Admitting one's mistakes showcases honesty and authenticity, fostering respect from team members.
• Cultivate a Learning Culture: Emphasize that mistakes are opportunities for growth and improvement, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

• Lead by Example: By being open about their fallibility, leaders encourage open communication and a willingness to seek solutions collaboratively.

Principal 2

Call Attention to People’s Mistakes Indirectly

• Tactful Feedback: Address mistakes in a subtle and indirect manner to preserve individuals' self-esteem and avoid defensiveness.
• Promote Self-Reflection: Encourage self-awareness by asking questions that prompt team members to evaluate their actions and decisions.
• Balanced Approach: Start with praise and appreciation to create a positive context for offering constructive feedback.

• Empowering Growth: Providing gentle guidance and encouragement inspires continuous improvement and motivates individuals to reach their full potential.

Principle 6

Praise the Slightest Improvement and Praise Every Improvement

• Positive Reinforcement: Recognize and appreciate even the smallest progress and efforts of team members.
• Motivational Impact: Praise every improvement, no matter how small, to encourage a sense of accomplishment and continuous growth.
• Genuine and Enthusiastic: Be sincere and enthusiastic in expressing appreciation, fostering strong connections and loyalty within the team.

• Uplifting Work Culture: By being "hearty in approbation and lavish in praise," leaders inspire a positive and high-performing work environment where team members feel valued and motivated.

Principle 8

Use Encouragement; Make the Fault Seem Easy to Correct

• Positive Reinforcement: Adopt an encouraging approach to address mistakes and shortcomings in team members.
• Safe Environment: Create a supportive and nurturing environment where team members feel comfortable admitting their faults.
• Practical Solutions: Break down challenges into manageable steps and offer guidance and constructive feedback to help team members improve.

• Promote Growth Mindset: Encourage a positive outlook on learning and development, viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Make the fault seem easy to correct

Principle 9

Make the Other Person Happy about Doing the Thing You Suggest

• Emotional Intelligence: Consider the needs and interests of team members when presenting ideas or seeking cooperation.
• Empathetic Communication: Actively listen to others' viewpoints and find common ground to tailor suggestions effectively.
• Servant Leadership: Genuinely care about team members' well-being and satisfaction to gain trust and respect.

• Win-Win Approach: Create proposals that benefit both the leader and the team member, fostering collaboration and a harmonious work environment.

Principle 7

Give the Other Person a Fine Reputation to Live Up T

• Empowerment Through Trust: Instill confidence in team members by recognizing and highlighting their strengths and positive qualities.
• High Expectations: Set a positive and favorable reputation for team members, encouraging them to live up to these high expectations.
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The belief in someone's capabilities can influence their actual performance, known as the Pygmalion effect.

• Positive Work Culture: Creating an environment where team members are empowered and supported leads to increased self-confidence, enhanced performance, and a sense of ownership over their work.

Principle 1

Begin with Praise and Honest Appreciation

Positive Foundation: Start interactions with genuine praise and appreciation for team members' efforts and achievements. Build Trust and Respect: Recognize and acknowledge individual strengths to foster a positive and supportive work environment. Motivational Impact: Genuine appreciation motivates team members to excel and collaborate more effectively.

• Open Communication: Creating a culture of appreciation facilitates constructive feedback and conflict resolution.

Praise and Honest Appreciation

Principle 5

Let the other person save face

• Preserve Dignity: Prioritize empathy and understanding by avoiding public criticism or embarrassment of team members.
• Private Discussions: Address mistakes and conflicts in private to allow team members to acknowledge errors without feeling humiliated.
• Conflict Resolution: Seek resolutions that foster mutual respect and understanding, promoting open communication and compromise.

• Cultivate Trust: By letting others save face, leaders create a supportive environment where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute their best efforts.

Let the other person save face

Principle 4

Ask Questions Instead of Giving Direct Orders

• Empowering Communication: Use questions to guide team members' thinking and decision-making processes instead of giving direct orders.
• Encouraging Autonomy: By asking questions, leaders foster a sense of autonomy and ownership among team members.
• Promoting Critical Thinking: Thoughtful questioning encourages team members to think critically, explore perspectives, and find creative solutions.

• Unleashing Collective Intelligence: Leaders tap into the collective intelligence of the team, harnessing diverse perspectives and expertise to drive innovation and achieve exceptional outcomes.

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