05 January 2025
Article published by: wxie
Date of publication: 05 January 2025
title: Six dimensions of leadership based on HPL description: On 2025-01-05 I plan to do this sharing in Climber Toastmasters club. —
Dear Fellow members, Distinguished guests,
Good afternoon.
I was asked to give a talk on leadership. What is leadership? Or we can ask: who are leaders? Could you give some examples of leaders?
Martin Luther King is a leader because he showed his leadership by fighting for human rights. Dr. Semdley from Toastmasters is a leader because he founded Toastmasters International and help millions of people to become better communicators and leaders. President Biden is a leader because he has the power to guide the United States. Richard Stallman is leader because he visioned a world of free software and led people to make it happen.
However, you don’t need to leave your community to be a leader. Today, we are going to get some hints about how to be a leader.
Most of us are working in an organization. We have managers. What is the difference between a leader and a manager.
There is little doubt that a good manager can be a leader. Actually it should be easier for a manager to be a good leader because he or she already has the authority to make changes.
The difference between a leader and a manager is that the manager has the authority to make changes, but leaders may not have the authority and still make changes.
In a Toastmasters, do club officers has the authority to make changes? Yes. Club officers are elected by members in a formal process so they are authorized in the position. While in an organization as Toastmasters club, true leaders do not come from authority but service because they win the leaders through support and inspiration not by ordering and manipulating. This is servant leadership - provide service for those who will benefit.
servant leaders put people over power, put contribution over personal requirement, and put team over credits.
There are six dimensions of servant leadership: vision and value, direct, persuade, support, train and recognize.
What is vision? A leader sees what is happening in present. He finds the problems of current situation. He knows what he wants to do to solve the problems. He creates the picture of the future.
What is value? In Toastmasters, we advocate integrity, respect, service and excellence. These are important values. Leaders practice these values not just by talking but more importantly by doing.
Discussion: what is Climber club’s vision and value?
When the leaders have the vision, they will immediately set the goals to achieve. They share the vision with people, and put the image in front of other people, and show them the plan to work towards the goals.
This is the dimension of direct - show people the vision and your goals?
Discussion: what is the effective way to set goals? (long term, short term, SMART)
When you show people your vision, they may have doubt. You may need to persuade them to follow you to work together with you. You need the skills and confidence to persuade people. This is an important dimension of leadership.
Discussion: what do you need to persuade people? (confidence, whole picture, focus, face-to-face communication, close the loop)
When the team start to work towards the goals according to the plan, they will need resources to keep working in track. This is where leaders will support. You need creativity and encouragement to support the team solve problem in an effective manner.
discussion: How will solve the problem? (know the situation, use resource wisely, be creative, time management)
People need growth. When they are working, leaders will care about the growth of the team, and provide necessary help to make sure the team benefit from the result as well as the process.
Discussion: how will train your team? (experience and challenge, teach new skills and encouragement, teamwork and collaboration)
Last but not least, everyone needs to be respected and recognized. Leaders must know the importance of praise and recognition.
Discussion: how would you recognize people who have done well? (care and direct words/action, respect other’s idea and view, use ceremony, gifts and formal awards)
Today we discussed together what servant leadership is. It has six dimensions: vision and value, direct, persuade, support, train and recognize. We should learn that leaders are not born but made. I hope we can all pay attention to these dimensions in our own and become a true leader in our life.
Thank you.
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