10 Minute Guide to Leadership

Leadership is never easy. No matter how effortlessly some leaders appear to manage, the path of a leader is one fraught with constant challenge and surprise. However, the leader does not face the challenge alone. By definition, a leader has a group or organization working to meet each challenge and achieve each goal. The leader's job is not to solve every problem alone, but to inspire those he or she leads to solve the problems.

Good leaders recognize that they do not have all the answers and are constantly reeducating themselves on their businesses and sharpening their leadership skills.

In this second edition of the 10 Minute Guide to Leadership, you will learn the definition of a leader and spend time studying the qualities that are always found in successful leaders.

Beyond personal qualities such as vision and positive thought, a leader must also take careful steps to communicate with his or her staff in the best way possible. Formerly rare processes such as goal-setting, constant feedback, and a system of rewards are now the norm in most workplaces. Some of the most important lessons of this book concentrate on your interactions with your group as a team, but also as individuals.

The later lessons of the book concentrate on some of the unique workplace challenges. For instance, Lesson 10, "Avoiding Micromanagement," focuses on the bane of the Dilbertized workplace-the micromanager. Lessons 14, "Women in Leadership," and 15, "Young or Minority Leaders," focus on women and minorities in positions of leadership and the special challenges each faces.

Internet resources are included in the final chapter, which is dedicated to finding help. As the Internet becomes a more central part of our lives and our workplace, familiarizing yourself with it is not only a good idea, but a necessity.

Remember, leaders are not born, but self-made. As you read this book, think about ways you can apply the principles discussed here to your own career.

Contents

• Introduction
  
• Chapter 1: What Is Leadership?
  
• Chapter 2: The Traits of a Leader
  
• Chapter 3: Leadership Styles
  
• Chapter 4: Communicating as a Leader
  
• Chapter 5: Successful Speeches and Presentations
  
• Chapter 6: Managing Performance
  
• Chapter 7: Improving Your Team
  
• Chapter 8: Worst Leadership Mistakes
  
• Chapter 9: Nonstandard Techniques
  
• Chapter 10: Avoiding Micromanagement
  
• Chapter 11: Transformational Leadership
  
• Chapter 12: Troubleshooting
  
• Chapter 13: Nurturing and Mentoring
  
• Chapter 14: Women in Leadership
  
• Chapter 15: Young or Minority Leaders
  
• Chapter 16: Where to Find Help
  
• Appendix A: Glossary
  
• Appendix B: Further Readings
  
• Appendix C: Exercises to Help Your Leadership Expertise Grow
  
• Appendix D: Answers to Exercises
  
• Index