I never anticipated as a child being in a leadership role nearly my entire adult career, and in volunteer roles/sports, too, but that is what happened. Whether as chair of high profile symphony balls/fashion shows [i.e. the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser so it better be a success], captain of ocean sailing races, or in managing major projects for universities and Fortune 100 companies nationwide where the outcome meant financial viability for the organization, or had a life and death component, ow impacts to tens of thousands, including for HQ for major corporations, I just took it on and did it. What I learned is this:

-Except responsibility. Any failure rests on the lead person. Success belongs to the team.

-Except that obstacles are unavoidable. If there weren’t problems your role wouldn’t be necessary. Gather as much information from every source, consider it, be imaginative/creative, and find solutions/make decisions quickly, get consensus, put it in writing, move on.   

-Always know what ultimate success looks like to every separate unit, find compromises, reconcile differences, have the roadmap to get there clear to all. Like being a movie director, it is up to the project lead to know everyone’s wants and concerns, to meld these, and keep everyone happy. 

I’ve stepped into many situations that seemed nearly impossible at first but have always enjoyed being the lead, and obviously kept higher ups happy because I was chosen again and again to head-up the next plum high-profile projects. Garnered a ton of experience all over the US, lots of fun, and gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment. But as the expression goes, ‘What have you done for us lately?’ 

What is the most important lesson in leadership?  Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.  Carefully choose the members of your team by the specific qualities you believe they possess that perhaps the other members do not.  Gather them.  Don’t lecture, but talk to them as respected members of the team as you explain where we are and what is the end result that we will need.  Remember this is a group effort so don’t know it all, but give each a time to express his ideas, share how he might go ahead with his portion of the project.  Let other members interject creative ideas that will stir the minds of the group.  Keep on subject, but show respect for individual team members. 

Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.  I think most of us do so much better if we have an end date for our portion of the project to be done.  Each person on the team should be made to feel that they are part of a jigsaw puzzle that will come together only if they are working together.

Praise and encouragement are of utmost importance during the steps taken and adjustments made as progress is made. I find that it is not important that I - as leader - get the credit for the final result.  I may know it is my idea, but the credit belongs justifibly to all who took part.

Celebrate great results.  Pats on the back and praise given throughout the project - but heavily at the end - make the team members feel good about themselves and their abilities — and you will notice their development and growth potential grow normally, as well as their enthusiasm and willingness to take on greater tasks.

As for me and what I have learned it is the above.  I love being a leader and I love "doing it myself".  But, very quickly, I found out that I really didn’t know everything, how to do everything, and cam to know the importance on relying on specific expertise that I did not necessarily have.  I don’t just like people.  I love people.  And the professional cameraderie involved becomes a further challenge as well as a delight … and I am competitive and happen to love challenges.

We learn by doing.  We all make mistakes but hopefully learn by them so nothing is lost.  We get more results if we treat people well - or as I say, as we ourselves like to be treated.  Putting others down in public I find intolerable and defeating - as we are hated and the person is apt to do far less of a job for us. 

There is so much psychology that goes into leadership — great leadership.  One of the greatest things we can do for others in life is to care for them, encourage them, and recognize potential for their special talents — as we all have them, and subtly guide them upward.  My own personal philosophy is that if I can make one person’s life better through my efforts, my life has been worthwhile.  But my dream?  I truly would like to be able to inspire more than one — and that can be in work or in life.  It makes no difference to me which it is,  but it is beyond important to my own being.  It is everything.

To be an excellent leader, never lose focus.  Be kind, be respectful, be diligent and lead by example but never, never lose sight of your goal.