Role of Leadership

A leader’s job requires more than character, industry knowledge, communication skills and affability – it demands results.  To embark on an Employer of Choice journey, leaders must steer the process and agree to be accountable for the results.
Best Practices

• Top organizations define and communicate strategy so that it is well understood by employees, customers, partners and the community they serve
• These organizations develop and maintain flawless operational excellence
• The “best” organizations are constantly assessing their progress

Leadership Actions

• Leaders challenge the status quo and seek innovative ways to improve the organization
• Leaders inspire the future by creating a shared vision of what the organization can become
• Leaders foster teams, collaboration and spirited engagement
• Leaders set high standards and model the way they expect others to behave
• Leaders set the tone and atmosphere of mutual respect and trust
• Leaders recognize and celebrate accomplishments

Traits of a Good Leader

Compiled by the Santa Clara University and the Tom Peters Group:

• Honesty - Display sincerity, integrity, and candour in all your actions. Deceptive behaviour will not inspire trust.
• Competent - Base your actions on reason and moral principles. Do not make decisions based on childlike emotional desires or feelings.
• Forward-looking - Set goals and have a vision of the future. The vision must be owned throughout the organization. Effective leaders envision what they want and how to get it. They habitually pick priorities stemming from their basic values.
• Inspiring - Display confidence in all that you do. By showing endurance in mental, physical, and spiritual stamina, you will inspire others to reach for new heights. Take charge when necessary.
• Intelligent - Read, study, and seek challenging assignments.
• Fair-minded - Show fair treatment to all people. Prejudice is the enemy of justice. Display empathy by being sensitive to the feelings, values, interests, and well-being of others.
• Broad-minded - Seek out diversity.
• Courageous - Have the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Display a confident calmness when under stress.
• Straightforward - Use sound judgment to make a good decision at the right time.
• Imaginative - Make timely and appropriate changes in your thinking, plans, and methods. Show creativity by thinking of new and better goals, ideas, and solutions to problems. Be innovative!