Lean Quote: Extraordinary Leaders Inspire and Influence

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determinations."   —  John Seaman Garns

To successfully lead requires a mix of innate and learned abilities that culminate in the ability to adjust in any setting. Given the complexities of a global economy and challenges we've never seen before, succeeding requires extraordinary leaders with an adaptive, inclusive approach. 

Tried and true ways won't cut it and today's business landscape demands a new crop of leaders to flex differently to be successful, otherwise they'll find themselves in the just awful category.

In my experience, extraordinary leaders create an environment where employees are energized to go above and beyond their normal jobs. They have a compelling vision and are able to inspire and influence others. They are also able to:

Model the way: Set the example, challenge the process, enable their followers, and encourage the heart.

Understand the humanity of their employees and customers: Make people of all levels feel seen and heard.

Communicate clearly: Clarity is an essential trait of an extraordinary leader.

Create small wins: Set smaller, more achievable goals and remind and reward the team members when they hit those goals.

Stay curious and open-minded: A leader who is genuinely interested in what others think makes sure everyone is heard from.

Prioritize trust: employees need to trust their leaders.

So set your sights and visualize the leader you want to become and most importantly, live by the six rules above -- don't settle for good, go for extraordinary.