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Leadership: The Basis for Managementby William P. Fisher Ph.D.

We all like to think we have some leadership qualities and striveto develop them. We look at leaders in all walks of life seekingto identify which qualities, traits and skills they possess so wecan emulate them. A fundamental question remains "What is theessence of leadership that results in successful management, asopposed to failed management?" At least part of the answer can befound within the word itself.

1. LoyaltyLeadership starts with a loyalty quadrant: loyalty to one's organization

and its mission; loyalty to organizational superiors; loyalty tosubordinates and loyalty to oneself. Loyalty is multi-directional,running upwards and downwards in the organization. When everyonepractices it, "loyalty bonds" occur which drive high morale. Loyalty tooneself is based on maintaining a sound body, mind and spirit so one isalways "riding the top of the wave" in service to others.

2. ExcellenceLeaders know that excellence is a value, not an object. They strive forboth excellence and success. Excellence is the measurementyou make of yourself in assessing what you do and how well you do

it. Success is an external perception that others have of you.

3. AssertivenessLeaders possess a mental and physical intensity that causes themto seek control, take command, assume the mantle of responsibilityand focus on the objective(s) . Leaders do not evidence self-doubt asthey are comfortable within themselves that what they are doing isright which, in turn, gives them the courage to take action.

4. Dedication

Leaders are dedicated in mind, body and spirit to their organizationand to achievement. They are action-oriented, not passive, andprefer purposeful activity to the status quo. They possess an auraor charisma that sets them apart from others with whom they interact,always working in the best interests of their organization.

5. EnthusiasmLeaders are their own best cheerleaders on behalf of their organization

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and their people. They exude enthusiasm and instill it in others to thepoint of contagion. Their style may be one of poise, stability, clearvision and articulate speech, but their bristling enthusiasmunderscores their every waking moment.

6. Risk ManagementLeaders realize that risk taking is part of their managementperch. They manage risk rather than letting it manage them, knowingfull well there are no guaranteed outcomes, no foregone conclusions,no pre-ordained results when one is dealing with the future.Nonetheless, they measure risk, adapt to it, control it and surmount it.

7. StrengthLeaders possess an inner fiber of stamina, fortitude and vibrancythat gives them a mental toughness, causing them to withstandinterruption, crises and unforeseen circumstances that would slow

down or immobilize most people. Leaders become all the moreenergized in the face of surprises.

8. HonorLeaders understand they will leave a legacy, be it good, bador indifferent. True leaders recognize that all their relationshipsand actions are based on the highest standards of honor andintegrity. They do the right things correctly, shun short-termimproper expediency and set the example for others with high-mindedness, professional bearing and unassailable character.

9. InspirationLeaders don't exist without followers. People will follow leaderswho inspire them to reach beyond the normal and ordinary to newlevels of accomplishment, new heights of well-being and new platformsfor individual, organizational and societal good. Inspiration is whatdistinguishes a leader from a mere position holder, as the leadercan touch the heart, mind and soul of others.

10.PerformanceAt the end of the day, leader/managers rise or fall on the most criticalof all measurements - their performance. Results come first, but the

way in which results are achieved is also crucial to sustaining aleader's role. Many "dictators" don't last despite results and many"charismatics" don't last despite personal charm.

Putting the ten elements together spell LEADERSHIP! Alwaysremember, if you want to develop a leadership quality act as thoughyou already possess it!

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[About the Author: William P. Fisher, Ph.D., a member of Cayuga Hospitality Advisors, is the Darden Chair in the Rosen Collegeof Hospitality Management at the University of Central Floridain Orlando.]