The Edge for JUNE 2018
What are the key elements of good leadership? We asked nine New Jersey executives that question, and we got a wide range of answers, including communicate clearly, lead by example, share the glory and take the blame. Further, they said, tolerate a certain amount of failure, give everyone a stake in the organization’s success and, of course, never stop learning. Here are their answers:
Share the Glory, Take the Blame
Leadership involves empowering others to succeed and providing the tools for success. In that vein, it’s about sharing the glory of success and taking the blame for failure. A great leader is unafraid to make a timely decision. Imagine a military leader who cannot decide how to respond to a situation. Making no decision is a decision to fail.
– Dennis M. Toft, Chair, Environmental Group, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi
Don’t Micromanage
If you hire the right people, just give them the tools, set your expectations, and let them get to work. More often than not, they will reach their goals in ways that you may never have considered. It is important to convey high expectations. I’ve found that people enjoy facing a challenge. The Pygmalion Effect, which states that people rise and fall based on the expectations placed on them, has been well documented. It’s important to not let your staff get into a rut.
– Gary S. Horan, President & CEO, Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Tolerate a Certain Amount of Failure
Leaders are people who inspire people to grow, and who nurture success and innovation. However, it is also important that leaders create an environment where employees feel that a certain amount of failure will be tolerated in order for the organization to innovate and grow.
– Jay Weinstein, EisnerAmper LLP, New Jersey Partner-in-Charge
Cultivate a Comfortable Work Environment
Effective leadership is having an open door as well as an open mind about important issues. It’s also about taking the time to chat about weekend plans, while providing the necessary guidance and foresight to lead an organization into the future. Good leadership creates an environment where people of all ages, backgrounds or race feel comfortable to voice their opinions and bring their ideas to the table. In short, good leadership is synonymous with good listening.
– Ralph Albert Thomas, CEO and executive director, NJCPA
Herd the Cats
Great leaders are both visionaries and managers who inspire action and motivate those around them to be successful. This includes having the capacity to “herd the proverbial cats.” A common thread of good leadership is communication – the ability to share knowledge, information and ideas in a way that those listening can understand and buy into.
– R. Max Crane, Managing Partner, Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.
Be Inspirational, Authentic and Respectful
In academia, one cannot dictate. So, it is critically important to inspire people with vision, integrity and communication. People respect and appreciate a person who is authentic and who does not hesitate to admit a failure or admit what one does not know. At the same time, authenticity requires one to give constructive feedback to people who need that. There must be respect for viewpoints that are not necessarily aligned with, or even orthogonal, to one’s own. In academia, this is very important - an open mind to diverse views and a willingness to learn from them.
– Deba Dutta, Chancellor, Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Lead By Example
A true leader ensures that actions speak louder than words by showing passion, personal investment and appreciation for the work others do.
– Dennis Wilson, president and CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey
Give Everybody a Stake in the Organization’s Success
When making difficult decisions, it is critical to communicate with all stakeholders, gain buy-in, and direct next steps. Instill in everyone a stake in the enterprise’s enduring success and prosperity. Accessibility is equally important. I believe not only in an open door policy, but in proactive outreach to all employees.
– Daniel A. Schwartz, Managing Member, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
ABC: Always Be Coachable
Leaders must channel a multitude of “ABLE-ilities” and remain adaptABLE to whatever each day has in store. We must be knowledgABLE in our chosen craft or field in order to become impressionABLE, employABLE, irreplaceABLE and to remain marketABLE within our inner groups or outer circles. No matter how far along we are in our career, relationship or life path, we must remember to remain coachABLE, as there is always something to learn from someone or something that you come across.
– John Gallucci Jr., President & CEO, JAG Physical Therapy; Founder, JAGIFY Motivational Seminars
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