Making Others Happy Brings Joy To Real Leaders

Although many individuals want to be leaders, far less become really effective ones. One of the primary qualities that differentiates great leaders from the rest of the pack is the individual's true motivation to want to lead. While a great leader must be dedicated to his organization and its mission, and have a clear cut and vital vision, unless his primary motivation is to help others by providing valuable leadership, he rarely achieves true greatness. Far too many individuals' desire to lead stems from their own ego or a desire for some sort of perceived glory, when greatness only arises when the primary consideration is service and providing real value. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it." As this applies to leadership, true happiness must stem from bringing joy, happiness, satisfaction, and joys to the organization one serves, and its members, donors, supporters and sponsors.

1. If you wish to be an effective leader, you must first examine your true motives for wanting to serve in such a position. Are you willing to put in the time, effort, and get whatever training and knowledge you need, or do you want to be in charge but have others take care of the necessary details? Do you realize that effective leadership is not a part time endeavor, or even a nine to five endeavor, but rather an often time consuming, sometimes energy sapping effort, where you must not only lead but must simultaneously motivate others to sharing your vision, and upgrading and enhancing their personal actions, as well? Are you able to clearly articulate your reason for wanting to lead (in honest straight- forward terms rather than in jargon or rhetoric)?

2. Do you understand the difference between value and perceived value? Great leaders must consistently pay attention to both of these and realize that merely providing what they consider to be value, without taking into consideration what others see as being of value, creates a huge divide between the one in charge and his constituents. Nowhere is this more obvious than when it comes to event planning, where professional event planners painstakingly negotiate to achieve value (cost savings, efficiencies, better ways to achieve the desired result), but unless they are able to effectively communicate this to attract participation by motivating potential attendees (demonstrating effectively the value creates the perception of value), the event will invariably under- perform and disappoint.

However, a true leader only feels satisfied when he is convinced that he has done all that can be done to make his organization attractive to others, and to make others proud and happy to participate in. The joy and happiness of constituents is what, in the end, creates a leader's contentment and happiness.