Leadership

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Leadership influence

My life has been molded by the influence of several people, my Grandfather who talked about his life, a small town grocery store owner who taught me work ethic, my parents who taught me values, teachers who guided me in my educational pursuits, my military experience where I learned team work, private enterprise where I learned management styles.

Now, in my retirement years, I look back and see what leadership is all about. I’ve had good leaders and not so good leaders, what made the difference was their willingness to become involved and guide and direct, but allow the flexibility to express your own thoughts and ideas.

My Grandfather talked about the depression era and how his family survived, sharing with me the hardships. These many hours of sharing instilled in me a since of purpose.

To the small town Grocery Store owner, who took a 13 year old, and taught him work ethic. This man was willing to take a “raw” 13 year old and mold and shape into a person who served in the grocery business for many years, in all departments.

My parents who taught me, right from wrong, instilled strong moral values and the importance of working together as a family unit. Like Abe Lincoln, my family was of undistinguished family heritage.

Teachers, who saw abilities in me, and encouraged me to learn whatever subject was at hand and instilled the desire to continue learning.

My military experience where I learned team work, and to follow instructions.

In private enterprise, I became a leader of others. I learned the mechanics of leadership, the responsibility for the overall operation, how to motivate others to do what needed to be done, in a timely manner, with quality control in mind and to be cost efficient.

What makes for good leadership? The understanding that your subordinates have different skills, to learning there strengths and weaknesses and be able to mold these traits into a well oiled, purpose driven, goal oriented, seekers of a quality finished product.

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