Three Essential Roles of an Extraordinary Leader

Sep05
2012 44 Comments Written by danonleadership

Extraordinary leaders concentrate on doing the most essential roles which produce the best results for the team and organization. A leader knows some roles have a greater return on investment than others so they concentrate on doing the things that bring the maximum return on their time, effort, and energy. Doing this can separate the good leaders from the extraordinary leaders. I have found at least 3 roles extraordinary leader focus on:

1. Finding and developing leaders:

A team or organization is only as good as the leaders within it. The most successful businesses and organizations have leaders on every level, from the lowest to highest roles. This includes people who have a leadership title and leaders without the title. Extraordinary leaders know the importance and value of finding and developing other leaders. They know when they find talented people and leaders the organization will become better.

However, this can be an uncommon role of a leader. Ram Charan said, “Many fail to recognize that developing other leaders is, or at least should be, a major part of every leader’s job.” This statement comes from a highly acclaimed business advisor with over 35 years of experience. If you want to be a great and lasting leader then choose to find and equip others.

2. Casting Vision:

If a team or organization wants to produce results then they need to have a clear picture of a desired future, they must have a vision. Extraordinary leaders constantly cast vision and are showing others the why and how of that vision. When people are vision focused it allows them to stay on track and causes them to produce desired results and goals. When it comes to vision it’s important to remember a leader cannot over-broadcast the vision.

3. Maintain the environment:

Extraordinary leaders know the importance of cultivating and maintaining a positive work environment. In Becoming A Person Of Influence the author said, “People desire security not only from you but also from their environment. Good leaders recognize this and create an environment where people can flourish.” When a leader creates a positive environment it opens the door for people to be creative, committed, trusting, and driven toward action. Make an effort to create and maintain a positive work environment.

Question: What are some other essential roles of an extraordinary leader?

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  • http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

    You hit on the three biggest roles I see for leaders. Great job man!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Thank you Jason. I always appreciate you reading and sharing.

  • http://billgrandi.com/ Bill (cycleguy)

    This may not seem like a “role” but I think Lead with Integrity is one.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Such an important one Bill. A leaders character and integrity are so essential.

  • http://www.j4man.wordpress.com/ Jim F.

    You hit on them well – I would go with Bill and live with integrity and add in encouraging those around them. Good thoughts as always Dan.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Thank you Jim. I agree, Integrity and encouraging others are big ones. Thank you for adding to the list.

  • Floyd Samons

    I read a book, I don’t know, maybe over twenty years ago and I don’t even remember who wrote it, but the author advised leaders to “push responsibility as far down as possible.” It’s funny because that was something that I was already doing naturally. When people have a responsibility then they are part of the team and part of the success.

    I think a good leader needs to be able to break down the positions of responsibility like chapters in a book and use them all together to tell a story that couldn’t be told otherwise. Everyone contributes to the manuscript of success.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Floyd,

      Great point, pushing responsibility down gives more ownership to others. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and adding to the conversation.

    • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

      My pastor in Kenya says that the best way to keep a man/woman on their feet is to put responsibility on their shoulders. Nothing like good old ‘weights’ to keep one balanced, on their feet and part of the whole picture. Great insight Floyd

  • Charles Stone

    I love what I heard John Maxwell once say about your #1 above-discover, develop, and deploy leaders-good post Dan

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Great statement Charles. Thank you for sharing it and adding to the discussion.

  • http://marleeward.com/ Marlee

    This might seem like a weird one, but I think good leaders also know how to be good followers.

    • http://www.michaelgholmes.com/ Mike Holmes

      There’s nothing weird about that Marlee :)

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      I agree with Mike, not weird but it can be uncommon:) Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

  • http://www.brandongilliland.com/ Brandon Gilliland

    I love your points…all of these must line up with humility. I think that’s a big key!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      So true Brandon, humility is key. Thank you for reading and sharing.

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    Love #1, I think often leaders get fearful or resentful of other leaders (or potential leaders), also they don’t want to lose great assets on their team. But a good leader, like a good teacher, enables people to spread their wings and fly.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      TC Avey,

      It’s often due to insecurity or pride, as well as “fearful and resentful”, that causes them not to bring on people who are more talented then them. Great point about leaders being good teachers. Thanks for adding to the conversation.

      • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

        Insecurity and pride, I can see that as well! It’s a tough job being a leader. More self-less than people realize.

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    Man, Dan. This is spot on. It’s taken me a while to see the wisdom and truth behind #1. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, I just didn’t put nearly enough effort into it.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Loren,

      #1 is such a big one, I’m glad you understand the value of it. It should be our priority. Thank you for adding to the conversation.

  • http://colebradburn.com/ Cole Bradburn

    Great points, especially #1. Would love to see you dig deeper on that point.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Cole,

      Great idea, I was thinking the same thing before reading your comment. Great minds think a like:) I’ll make a point to write more about #1. Thank you for stopping by and reading.

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Great points Dan. When combined they form a great leader.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      I agree, all three are important and should be a priority. Thank you for reading.

  • http://www.michaelgholmes.com/ Mike Holmes

    Obviously character and leading by example. Duhhhh! :)

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Amen:)

  • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

    Yes it is Seth. I suggest you read then give your leaders books and training on the topic of equipping other leaders.

  • http://erniereppe.com/ Ernie

    I think extraordinary leaders go first. They walk through junk, challenges, etc before they bring their flock through it.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Ernie,

      Yes they do. Great point. Thank you for adding to the discussion.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Juan-Cruz-Jr/100002369801554 Juan Cruz Jr.

    Dan, I have been focusing on #1 for awhile. Training and developing the leaders in my team is a priority for me.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Juan, that’s just one reason why your a great leader. Do you have a formal training plan for your people?

  • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

    A leader must set the tone by leading through example. Modeling desired behavior is huge.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Jon,

      That’s why the most important person we can lead is our self. Thank you for reading and sharing.

  • http://www.danerickson.net/ Dan Erickson

    Great thoughts, Dan. The older I get, the more leadership qualities I have gained. As a creative sort, I especially like #2. In fact, I think I like vision so much that essentially keeps me less of a leader and more of an independent voice.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Dan,

      I some how missed your comment until now. Thank you for sharing more about yourself.

  • http://www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/ Barb

    Your post struck me with the first sentence and then the follow-up points. It occurred to me that this could also apply to ministry. Interesting!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Barb, It can totally apply to ministry and I think it should. I appreciate you sharing.

  • http://www.skipprichard.com/ Skip Prichard

    When leading a group of people, I think it starts with connection. We want to follow people who understand us. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Skip,

      Great and true quote. I totally agree with you about it first starts with connecting. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

  • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

    Excellent bro, “maintain the environment” I LOVE that point.
    M_

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Thank you Marc. Thank you for stopping by and reading.

  • http://www.lincolnparks.com Lincoln Parks

    Wow Dan, Casting Vision. This is the most powerful for me as I read this. Every Organization needs to cast vision. Excellent.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      So true Lincoln Parks. It reminds me of the passage saying, “without vision the people perish.” Thank you for taking the time to read and add to the conversation.