Leader or Dictator?

“He that thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk.”

― John C. Maxwell

"The top-down attitude is defined by people who believe that everyone should serve them, as opposed to believing they should be serving others within the institution."  (Hanz Finzel,author, The Top 10 Mistakes Leaders Make).  Some leaders of today think that they are leading, they move people by believing that others should serve them, some think that because they are more educated, knowledgeable and positioned they are more superior than others, some don’t want to listen to others' opinion and some have a self-centered attitude. Are they really leading or dictating?

Leadership has something to do with influencing people, to influence people leaders must establish a good relationship with others, they must encourage others by helping them prove themselves, looking at them not as subordinates but as teammates.

To start a good relationship, begin by respecting others by placing value on them because they are also human beings like us, when we respect people we are positioned to develop trust, without trust we cannot maintain a good relationship or even any relationship. A give-and-take mindset must always be present, we must consider what others say or give in order for them to consider us also.

            In order to be an effective leader, start by serving others and lead by example, maintain integrity and excellence in order to get other’s trust, appreciate efforts exerted by the members of the team and respect their opinion.

            Assess yourself, are you a leader or a dictator?