[Ubuntu Leadership] New Blog Post - What is a Leader? What Motivates People?

[Amber Graner]

Since I said I would blog once a week about various leadership type
things - I kicked it off this morning with - What is a Leader? What
Motivates People? - http://akgraner.com/?p=1037

Here are the highlights from the post

What Is a Leader?
A common definition of a leader is “A leader is a person who
influences a group of people towards the achievement of a goal.” In
the Ubuntu Community we have many wonderful people who voluntarily
take on the roles and responsibilities to become a leader; those
individuals who give selflessly of their time, talent and treasure are
known as the leadership throughout our community.  Whether it’s on one
of the many councils, boards, teams, or projects they lead; they are
leaders! (Thank you all for taking on those roles  - you are
appreciated and you matter!)

Motivating People Skills
Know what motivates the people you lead – some people are motivated by
social acceptance, others are ego-driven, so are following their
dreams and goals and still others are financially motivated (yes even
people who volunteer can be motivated my monetary gains because what
they learn through their volunteer efforts has the potential to
increase their paychecks) – in other words find out how you can give
the people you lead a motivational paycheck that won’t bounce.

Believe in the people you are leading – People know when you truly
believe in them; they also know when you don’t. Everyone who joins a
project, team, group, tries something new, faces new fears.  If their
leaders believe in them they will more than likely face those fears
and become a greater success because they know that their leadership
and team through the example of its leader(s) believe in them.  They
won’t fear failure but believe in themselves more because you as their
leader sincerely believes in them and their abilities.

Make the people you lead feel important – Who doesn’t like being told
they are doing a good job. If you want to motivate people then you
have to appreciate them–sincerely appreciate them.  Don’t just tell
them what they want to hear, people know when you are being false and
they will resent you for it, but if you as a leader sincerely
appreciate them, then it will motivate them even more.  Send out thank
you notes, encouraging messages to the team, point out the efforts of
those who are making a difference. It doesn’t matter how large or
small the contribution to the team is make sure you let people know
they are important and they matter!

Lead your followers by example – When I was being trained to be a
leader in Army as well as a manager and director for various corporate
positions my best leaders and managers were those that lead by
example. In other words they taught me never ask someone you lead to
do something that you haven’t done, aren’t willing to do, or aren’t
willing to learn.  Stay motivated and ready to jump in and help if
your team needs you, your excitement and motivation will rub off and
if you are a good example then people will want to follow you –
however the same holds true for negativity if you are a negative
leader your team will become a negative force as well.

Don’t put requirements on your team members instead inspire them –
Think about it, as a leader you want to be the inspiration that people
are looking for. Be the change you want to see, lead by example, make
people feel important and believe in them.  If you do those things you
will  inspire team members to take action. Inspiration motivates
people from within themselves if you require people they begin to feel
they have to accomplish something for you or the team rather than
wanting to accomplish something for themselves and the greater good of
the whole team.

(Adapted from Proven Ways to Motivate People)

In the post I also ask current leadership to give us some feedback and
ask some questions of them.  I'll post those under a different thread
so people can forward it or comment on it.

Thanks!

:-D  Amber

-- 
Amber Graner//akgraner//
http://akgraner.com/
http://www.ubuntu-user.com/Online/Blogs/Amber-Graner-You-in-Ubuntu

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