September 2020 Newsletter Leaders need Leaders

Leaders need leaders

I remember watching the funeral of Congressman John Lewis and listening to what people said about him in their eulogies. Their words reminded me of what it means to be a good leader. The capacity to motivate and inspire other people is important for anyone in a leadership position, even if they’re not involved in politics. You need leadership skills if you’re a parent raising children, a teacher or principal at a school, or an assistant manager, department head, manager, or owner of a company. John Lewis was a passionate man and a strong role model, and his leadership will forever be documented in our history books.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”  – John Wooden

When I was the CEO of DEEB Realty I had to learn how to be a leader on the job. My family was not involved in real estate, and nobody ever handed me a manual on how to run a company. I had no experience with leadership when I started my company, so I had to rely on common sense. I felt like I was a good leader some days and a not-so-good leader on other days. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would put a higher priority on being a good leader and spend more time learning how to do it. I was fortunate to have many people in my firm that I considered leaders, and I learned from them. I needed them. Leaders need leaders.

Leaders are supposed to teach us how to become better at what we do and who we are. Not just to be more successful in business, but to be better people. We can all get a chance to be a leader if we truly want to do it. I believe anytime we are responsible for making a decision that affects others, then we are a leader. Your title may not indicate that you are in a leadership position, but you still have the ability to teach and inspire others.

“The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.”
– John Maxwell

Leaders are charged with keeping us excited about life and our careers. Reality can sometimes be brutal and filled with challenges, and that’s when a leader steps in to pick us back up.  Leaders treat others with respect, not just some of the time but ALL OF THE TIME, regardless of each person’s status in life or position in the company.

There’s no better time than today to ask yourself whether the leaders in your life are having a positive impact, no matter what their role might be. They could be friends, family members, supervisors, or co-workers. If you feel that there is room for improvement, maybe a little nudge from you might encourage them to become better leaders. Most of the good leaders I know want constructive criticism so they can become better at what they do. Leaders need leaders.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
– John Quincy Adams

When I consult with clients who are in leadership positions, we talk about a great many things. However, we spend most of our time exploring the essential qualities and characteristics of a good leader. One of the most important is passion. If leaders are not passionate about what they do, then how can they inspire us to be passionate?

Leaders share their vision. They paint a picture of what the goal will look like once we all get there, and they tell stories in which their people are the main characters. Leaders are not afraid to change direction and go down a different path if it’s likely to bring a better result, and they’re willing to take recommendations from their team.

Leaders care more than is deemed necessary. They are authentic, and they are not afraid to show empathy towards others and to let their team see them in a vulnerable light.

Now, more than ever, we need positive role models who will constantly remind us to do the right thing and to be sensitive to the needs of others.

In these unprecedented times, let us also be more aware of the needs of people in leadership roles. Leaders need leaders just as much as their people need them. We all have something to contribute.

If not now, then when? And if not you, then who?

Van Deeb is recognized as an authority in sales, customer service, and leadership. His proven methods and techniques helped Van build one of the largest real estate companies in the country, growing his business from just himself to an agency with 350 associates. Invite Van to present a workshop, keynote, or event at your company. Contact Van at his direct line: 402-680-8448, through email: van@vandeeb.com, or on the Web at www.vandeeb.com