Being considered a leader in our society is indeed of high praise. Leadership means power,commands respect and, most important, encourages achievement. Unlike vitamin C, leadership skills can't be easily swallowed down. They must be carefully cultivated. Different from popular belief, most good leaders are made, not born. They learn their skills in their everyday lives. But which do they develop? How do they (and how can you) get others to follow? Always give credit. Many leaders note that the most efficient way to get a good performance from others is to treat them like heroes. Giving public credit to someone who has earned it is the best leadership technique in the world. It is also an act of generosity (慷慨) that's never forgotten. Giving credit is more effective than even the most constructive criticism (批评) , which often hurts rather than helps. Kenneth Blanchard, the author of The One-Minute Manager, agrees. "Catch people doing something right!" he says. Then tell everyone about it. Take informed risks. " The best leaders know that taking a risk is not a thoughtless exercise," says management adviser Marilyn Machlowitz. "Sky divers don't go up in an airplane without checking the parachutes (降落伞) beforehand. " |