Real Leaders Don't Boss (15 page)

Doing what you say you will do when it comes to employees. If you promise to do something, follow through and follow up.

Not allowing others to draft your major messages. The voice of a communication must be from the leader.

Being sure your staff members are effective communicators, too.

Being tech-savvy and not afraid to use technology to your advantage. That goes for social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, too.

Giving your employees and staff the tools and the training they need.

Setting specific standards for interaction/communication between employees, staff, and leaders.

Philanderers, racists, bullies, and egomaniacs with anger-management problems have no place in today's workplace, especially among the ranks of leaders. Not only do they undermine employee morale, but they also sabotage a business's success.

Real leaders must pay attention to the personal needs of their employees. Real leaders create a work
environment—a climate or culture, if you will—that enables their associates to flourish.

Millennials bring unique and outstanding talents to the workplace. Real leaders must learn how to tap into those talents.

The 21st-century global marketplace requires an evolution of leadership strategies. With businesses operating 24/7 and across nations and the world, leaders must stay connected to their employees by every high-tech and traditional means possible, from social media to face-to-face visits.

Business leaders would do well to emulate the U.S. Marines' high standards of conduct, including traits such as the ability to adapt and the willingness to take risks, operate frugally, demonstrate courageous conviction, discipline, and inspire employees.

Today's leaders must be willing to take their businesses into uncharted waters in order to reap big rewards.

Bosses can learn to be leaders, and it starts with a willingness to shift one's attitude from domination to consensus-building.