Golden Tips for a successful
Leader
A
Lecture
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan

Be confident, but be careful to not
confuse confidence with arrogance.
 To do this, you need to fully know what you are talking about. When you do
speak, speak with conviction.
 It takes pride to build your ambitions. It takes pride in your community. It
takes pride in a cause, in accomplishment. But the key to becoming a good
leader is to be proud without being arrogant. Do you know the worst kind of
arrogance? Arrogance from ignorance. It's intolerable. If someone is smart and
arrogant, we can tolerate that. But if someone is ignorant and arrogant, that's
just too much to take.

Humble not timid
 You can't get to the high life by being timid. Some people mistake timidity for
humility. But humility is a virtue; timidity is a disease. It's an affliction. It can
be cured, but it is a problem. Humility is almost a God-like word—a sense of
awe, a sense of wonder, an awareness of the human soul and spirit, an
understanding that there is something unique about the human drama versus
the rest of life. Humility is a grasp of the distance between us and the stars,
yet having the feeling that we're part of the stars.

Humor
 There is no doubt that some people are born leaders. However, those traits
need to be nurtured to realize their full potential. So there is more than a
dash of molding that needs to be thrown into the pot and stirred to ‘produce’
someone who can truly inspire, motivate, and lead others to achieve
greatness. If you aspire to be one of these people, then it’s time to start
developing your leaderships skills.


Be fair.
 To gain the trust and respect of your followers, you need to be fair. If an
opportunity comes up, do not automatically look to your close friends or
colleagues. Let everyone know and have the same chance to get whatever it
is.
 Deal in truth. Save yourself the agony of delusion. Just accept life as it is—the
whole drama of life. It's fascinating.

Be clever.
 If something does not work out, try an alternative method. If you do not have
enough resources for a project, look in your community to see if it can be
easily donated or lent to you. For instance, if I need to use a conference room
at the University of Nebraska — Lincoln to hold an event, it will cost around
$200 for a day. However, certified student organizations of the college can
reserve one room for free for a specific day. Being clever, in this case, means
that you go partner with a student organization and have them reserve a
room for you.
 It takes boldness to win the day. To build your influence, you've got to walk in
front of your group. You've got to be willing to take the first arrow, tackle the
first problem, discover the first sign of trouble. Like the farmer, if you want
any rewards at harvest time, you have got to be bold and face the weeds and
the rain and the bugs straight on. You've got to seize the moment

Be optimistic
 . After all, optimism is what is needed to change the way this world works.
“What you expect tends to happen.”
 It is an extra step you must take to become a powerful, capable leader with a
wide range of reach. Some people mistake rudeness for strength. It's not even
a good substitute

 Connect! Strive to make a vast and diverse network of friends and
colleagues. You will never know when a person will become handy. I have
created a support system through my peers and colleagues. Everyone benefits
from a big network. If you want to network with someone you do not know, just
introduce yourself through a message and add them anyway.

Know when to give “the talk,” and do
give it when it is necessary.
 If a member of your team volunteers for a task or have accepted a task
delegated by you, they are making a commitment to execute it. Sometimes
there are valid reasons that prevent a person from completing their duties and
in those cases, you have to accept it when they happen. I do not hesitate to be
frank with someone if I had already made my expectations clear or if their
failure to complete a task will (or have) hinder the entire team.

Have a right-hand man (or woman).
 This is a go-to person that you trust. My Program Director, Tanvir Faisal, is
basically my other arm. I ask that all inquiries sent to me are cc’ed to him as
well. He will catch whatever I miss, and at times, advise me on what should be
done for all sorts of things.

“Know when to listen to others, and
when to listen only to yourself.”
 Mark & Ismini Svensson, Founders of StayUNITED

Leadership is about vision.
 “ It’s about giving new or original perspectives to things. One who has his
own understanding and interpretation of things will distinguish himself from
others. Thinking for yourself implies not taking anything for a fact. Always
look for a personal explanation or interpretation. In order to gain that
personal distance and understanding, one should never rely on others
knowledge, work or judgment.” Felix Winckler, COO and cofounder of
Poutsch.

 “Inspire others to take action by showing your own action, commitment
and good work for a better world. Make it easy for people to step in and
join forces if they want to help.” Ralien Bekkers, Dutch UN Youth
Representative on Sustainable Development.

“Be ambitious and do not be afraid to
take risks.”
 Jared Costanzo, president and founder of the Student Voice Project. Do not
be afraid to be idealistic. If you happen to fail, you will recognize your
strengths and limitations and be better to adapt in the future. Only by
knowing your limit can you fully maximize your potential. Of course, the
scope of your limit will lessen over time through experience.

Never let someone tell you that you
cannot do something.
 If something isn’t out there, go create it.

Be organized.
 In order to work effectively, you will need to be organized. If you are
disorganized, you will tend to forget certain things.

Be able to articulate your thoughts and
speech thoroughly and efficiently (a.k.a.
communication skills).
 This also includes being able to delegate tasks and being clear of your
expectations.

Be able to establish your goals and
commit to your plan
 . “Sometimes structure, deadlines, and plans aren’t the best way to lead. At
times, it is more effective to go with the flow, take it as it comes and explore
each new opportunity. But, despite this, you always need to keep in mind
your end game, your objective.” Prasanth Ramakrishna, President and
Founder of Unheard Voices. Kevin Phan, a Commitment Mentor at the Clinton
Global Initiative, also advises young people to, “Be patient with your goals.
Go on your own timeline.”

 “Make sure your project, campaign or endeavor solves a problem and you
that have clearly defined what the problem is and how you are going to
solve it.” Alex Wirth, chair and founder of the Campaign for a Presidential
Youth Council.

Know the strengths and weaknesses of
yourself and your team.
 Being a leader does not always mean that you are the most intelligent or
capable person within a group. It just means that you have an ability to
organize people and are able to utilize each person’s skill set. “Leading isn’t
an easy task — not everyone can do it. I believe if you are truly passionate
about the area you are leading in, not only will you be a successful leader, but
there is no end to what you can do. Nothing material can slow you down, only
your passion will drive you.” Jai Kumar Mediratta, Camp Kesem Executive
Board of UNL

Never forget your responsibility
 "My best leadership tip is to think of leadership as a responsibility as much as
an opportunity. Effective leaders understand that they are responsible for
everyone that they are leading, and consider that responsibility as the main
concern of their position. If you ever lose empathy for, and dedication to, the
people you are leading, you are not being a leader."

Don't be afraid of the truth
 "Be willing to look at the truth, no matter how uncomfortable. That includes
truths about yourself, your product, your people. If your product stinks and
your people aren't performing, pretending that just ain't so won't change
anything. At the same time, don't beat yourself up. Just look at it, address it,
and move on.

Be human, not humanoid
 "Humanoids show (and feel) no emotion at all. Ever. They are incapable of it.
You may think there is no room for emotion in the workplace, but think again.
There's already emotion there--too bad much of it is negative. Let some
positive emotion flow between you and your people. Get to know them better
... and let them get to know you better.

 Get comfortable in dynamic environments
 "In today's dynamic and uncertain business environment, the most successful
firms are able to act quickly and decisively in response to change. Strong self-
efficacy, high achievement, autonomy, and the ability to take decisive actions
in the face of uncertainty and dynamic environments are critical capabilities
for an organization. Preparing individuals to evaluate a dynamic environment
and act in the face of uncertainty is a particular strength of the military and
it should be a priority for executive training programs. It all begins with
having a clear vision and a specific mission that empowers people to act in
alignment with the company objectives

 Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you
 "Leaders find success when they create teams composed of people who are
experts in their areas, and many times, smarter than the leader who's hiring
them. Great leaders give them room to grow and innovate. These are the
leaders who people want to work for. Unlike the micromanager leader whose
insecurity leads them to create teams that include people 'just like them.'
These teams may make the leader feel comfortable, versus challenged for the
purposes of creating the best work.

Take someone in training along with you on
mundane tasks
 "Several years ago I had to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew
my license--a task that sometimes could mean three to four hours of waiting.
There was a college student who was working for our church as an intern for a
college credit. He wanted to learn the ins and outs of church leadership, so I
asked him to come along to the DMV. Sure enough, it was a three-hour wait,
but I spent that time answering all of the intern's questions about leadership.
It was real quality time to invest in the young man. Now when I have a task
that will involve a long wait time (such as going to the DMV or doctor's office
or waiting for a plane flight or going on a long ride in the car, etc.), I take
along a developing leader to invest in him or her."

Take someone in training along with you on
mundane tasks
 "Several years ago I had to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew
my license--a task that sometimes could mean three to four hours of waiting.
There was a college student who was working for our church as an intern for a
college credit. He wanted to learn the ins and outs of church leadership, so I
asked him to come along to the DMV. Sure enough, it was a three-hour wait,
but I spent that time answering all of the intern's questions about leadership.
It was real quality time to invest in the young man. Now when I have a task
that will involve a long wait time (such as going to the DMV or doctor's office
or waiting for a plane flight or going on a long ride in the car, etc.), I take
along a developing leader to invest in him or her."

Always lead with character
 "Leaders with character are highly effective. They have no need to pull rank
or resort to command and control to get results. Instead, they're effective
because they're knowledgeable, admired, trusted, and respected. This helps
them secure buy-in automatically, without requiring egregious rules or strong
oversight designed to force compliance."

Communicate effectively.
 Effective communication is imperative, both in the office and in life. Great
leaders make sure they are heard and understood, but they also know the
importance of listening. Communication is a two-way street, and making the
most of it will have your company zooming forward instead of pumping the
breaks

A little humility goes a long way
 .
 There’s a difference between a leader and a boss. While both are in charge, a
leader shares the spotlight and is comfortable crediting others. While it might
seem counterintuitive, being humble takes more confidence than basking in
glory. Your employees will appreciate it, and your clients will, too.

Storytelling
 After listening, leaders need to tell great stories in order to sell their
products, but more important, in order to sell their ideas. Storytelling is what
captivates people and drives them to take action. Whether you're telling a
story to one prospect over lunch, a boardroom full of people, or thousands of
people through an online video - storytelling wins customers

Be emotionally aware.
 While many people advise keeping emotions separate from matters of
business, business is ultimately about relationships between people. To make
these relationships last, you need to be emotionally intelligent -- to be
sensitive to different points of view and different backgrounds. When using
your head to do what’s best for your company, don’t forget to have a heart.

Surprise and Delight
 Most people like surprises in their day-to-day lives. Likeable leaders
underpromise and overdeliver, assuring that customers and staff are surprised
in a positive way. There are a plethora of ways to surprise without spending
extra money - a smile, We all like to be delighted — surprise and delight
create incredible word-of-mouth marketing opportunities.

Simplicity
 The world is more complex than ever before, and yet what customers often
respond to best is simplicity — in design, form, and function. Taking complex
projects, challenges, and ideas and distilling them to their simplest
components allows customers, staff, and other stakeholders to better
understand and buy into your vision. We humans all crave simplicity, and so
today's leader must be focused and deliver simplicity.

Gratefulness
 Likeable leaders are ever grateful for the people who contribute to their
opportunities and success. Being appreciative and saying thank you to
mentors, customers, colleagues, and other stakeholders keeps leaders
humble, appreciated, and well received. It also makes you feel great! Donor's
Choose studied the value of a hand-written thank-you note, and actually
found donors were 38% more likely to give a 2nd time if they got a hand-
written note!

Passion
 We’ve all known a leader who is so in love with what they do and who
believes so deeply in an idea or cause. It’s contagious! And passion sure can’t
be faked. Passion is what motivates employees to go the extra mile, and most
of the time, you’re either passionate about something or you’re not. There’s
not a lot of middle ground

Authenticity
 Great leaders are who they say they are, and they have integrity beyond
compare. Vulnerability and humility are hallmarks of the authentic leader and
create a positive, attractive energy. Customers, employees, and media all
want to help an authentic person to succeed. There used to be a divide
between one’s public self and private self, but the social internet has blurred
that line. Tomorrow's leaders are transparent about who they are online,
merging their personal and professional lives together.

Keep meetings productive.
 As the saying goes, time is money. So, of course, you should want to limit
tangents and other time wasters during meetings. If you trust your team to do
their job, there should be no need for micromanaging, and meetings can run
swiftly.

Find a mentor
 .
 No man is an island, as they say. The best leaders out there know when they
need help, and they know where to turn to in order to get it. Nobody can
know everything, so finding someone you trust for advice when things get
tough can make all of the difference.

Know your limits.
 Even the kindest, most caring leader has limits. Set your boundaries and stick
to them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can save everyone in the office a
lot of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear means there’s no confusion.

Watch out for (and avoid) common pitfalls
of leadership.
 Everyone makes mistakes, but some of them are avoidable. Being aware of
common mistakes, while not focusing on them to the point that they become
self-fulfilling prophecies, can be the first step toward not repeating them.

Lead by example.
 Leaders need to show, not just tell. If you want your employees to be
punctual, make sure you’re there on time -- or even early. If professionalism
is a priority, make sure you’re dressed for success, and treat everyone you
interact with (both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set the tone and your
employees will follow it.

Keep meetings productive.
 As the saying goes, time is money. So, of course, you should want to limit
tangents and other time wasters during meetings. If you trust your team to do
their job, there should be no need for micromanaging, and meetings can run
swiftly.

 Know your limits.
 Even the kindest, most caring leader has limits. Set your boundaries and stick
to them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can save everyone in the office a
lot of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear means there’s no confusion.

Stop the blame game
 . It’s always someone or something that is at fault. But in the end, the buck
stops with you. Sure, you may not have inherited a stellar team, but that
doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocrity. You have the power to inspire
people to exceed expectations. You also have the power to release people
who aren’t making the grade. What you don’t get to do is blame everyone
else for your team’s failure to perform.


Build on strengths
 . Everyone focuses on improving weaknesses. You can distinguish yourself by
paying particular attention to areas of strength, as this is where you’ll receive
the greatest return for your investment.

Your success depends on the success
of others
 . To succeed as a manager, you will need to shift your focus from “me” to
“we.” Going forward, your success will no longer be measured by your
individual contribution. Instead, you will be evaluated on your ability to
create and maintain a highly engaged team that is willing to give it their all.

Use your solitude to make great
decisions.
 Many great leaders say they resist the impulse to make quick decisions during
meetings. Instead, they give themselves solo time to think and reflect, then
return with a strong decision, and the courage of their convictions.

Learn from the past.
 To once again quote an adage, those who don’t learn from the past are
doomed to repeat it. History, recent and otherwise, is filled with examples of
successful business models and spectacular business failures. Think about
what the people you admire do well, and consider what went wrong for those
who end their careers mired in scandal or disgrace. Lessons can be found
everywhere.

Never stop improving.
 Great leaders -- indeed, great people -- are constantly learning and always
trying to improve themselves. There’s always something that you can work on
or a new skill to master. Be sure to keep your mind open to new ideas and
possibilities.

Cherish innovation
 . As competition in every market increases, leaders must continuously push
for new and creative ways to work and problem solve. Through embracing
innovation, leaders can focus on taking their business to the next level.

Foster engagement
 . "People can occupy jobs for years, but they won't create value for their
organizations if they're not invested in their work," the authors wrote.
Effective leaders help employees feel like they're making a difference.

Stop the blame game
 . It’s always someone or something that is at fault. But in the end, the buck
stops with you. Sure, you may not have inherited a stellar team, but that
doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocrity. You have the power to inspire
people to exceed expectations. You also have the power to release people
who aren’t making the grade. What you don’t get to do is blame everyone
else for your team’s failure to perform.
