Leadership

What are the essential qualities of successful leaders?

OC METRO

By Annalisa Goode

April 2002

It is not surprising that we look to role models for inspiration, guidance and approval. In fact, role models such as teachers, parents and peers have the most influence on us at a young age. Well-intentioned and sincere words of support and encouragement are best received from a well-respected instructor, peers or authority figures.

For instance, Sally Ride was motivated to pursue a doctorate in physics and she credits her high school teachers for encouraging her studies. Ride went on to become the first American woman to orbit Earth. Since 1987, Ride has directed the California Space Institute at UC San Diego.

The task of being a leader or a director of any program, team or project comes with challenges. Leadership qualities are varied and unique to each leader. To discover what it takes to successfully tackle obstacles, overcome unique situations and meet tough challenges, we asked some leaders in the community what they believe are the most important qualities of leadership.

Craig Ritter

Craig Ritter is an award-winning principal at University Park Elementary School in Irvine. In September, he will become principal of Lakeside Middle School.

Leaders empower rather than dictate. In my view, a leader's critical responsibility is to surround oneself with talent and then allow the creative energy of others to flourish. There is great synergy in allowing others to generate, foster and manage an organization. Setting an open, responsive and accepting climate is a critical element in keeping an organization healthy and flexible.

Carmen Vali

Carmen Vali is mayor of Aliso Viejo

Leadership is not something that one is given. Leadership is earned through prior, demonstrated actions. Leadership is acquired by slogging through tough issues and learning all about an issue from all angles. Leadership is an earned set of skills that is combined with experience, knowledge, wisdom, and good judgment. Sometimes, leadership comes from instinct, in those rare moments when your are flying by the seat of your pants, diving head first, and just charging ahead.

True leaders know when to push, when to sit back and let others find their way, and when to let the issue pass. It is not something that is acquired upon election, it is not bestowed with a title, and it is not something someone just "gets." A good leader shows compassion, but is willing to stick to the issues and ensure that the choice that is made is the right thing to do, not simply the popular thing to do. Finally, a good leader is a person who leads by example and by deed, someone who gets in and does the work instead of merely paying lip service to the issue and saying what people want to hear.

Nick Yocca

Nick Yocca is a partner in the Newport Beach law firm Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.

Like entrepreneurs, leaders are hard to define. I can recognize one more easily than I can define one. In my view, a leader demonstrates his or her enthusiasm and dedication by performing in the same manner that he expects others to perform. He leads by example rather than by instruction. A leader mentors, encourages and empowers others to reach their maximum potential, and delegates to each subordinate at a level whereby they can achieve success (not overwhelming with something too difficult or tasking them with something far below their capabilities, either of which is frustrating).. not the same as just dumping work on someone to sink or swim as a way of weeding out the poor performers. A leader also promotes the entire team, not just himself. A leader does not take all of the credit when a job goes well.. or none of the blame when it goes poorly.. a leader shares the kudos and takes the brunt of the complaints, without passing the buck... that is how they earn the respect of their team!

A leader does not always lead, but sometimes pushes from behind... or sometimes steps aside and follows the direction of another who might be more capable in a certain area. None of these ideas are extraordinary. At the bottom line, a leader also makes mistakes, but the leader is able to recover and learn from that mistake and pass along what he has learned from that experience. A leader is simply an ordinary person who wants to succeed and enhance the positions of herself and those around her for the betterment of all.

Ralph J. Cicerone

Ralph Cicerone, an acclaimed atmospheric scientist, is chancellor of UC Irvine. At the behest of the White House, he recently chaired a National Academy of Sciences panel to assess interntional research on global warming.

For me, leadership starts with a deep commitment to the mission and values of an organization. If one fundamentally believes in the value of the product or service that one's organization provides, one will be willing to devote long hours and great energy to advance it - work will be more enjoyable and there will be more determination to overcome obstacles. In this way, one can lead by setting a good example. In my case, at a national research university, the mission combines higher education research and public service, which I believe are increasingly valuable to individual people, to our country and society as a whole. Setting high goals is only natural when one is committed.

Understanding the fundamental mission is essential to a leader because he/she must communicated about it, both inside and outside the organization. Additionally, this understanding allows one to sort through competing ideas and priorities and activities - either they stem from the mission or they do not. A leader is always short of time and must stay focused on the core of the mission.

A leader must also distinguish between leading and managing. In large organizations, the leader should insist that others manage but also be alert of times when intervention is necessary. A related point is that a leader should not make herself indispensable but instead she should encourage others inside the organization to grow and to prepare for leadership roles.

Personally, I admire people who want to do something rather than just to "be somebody" or to hold a certain position. This is a good test for a potential leader: Do you want to lead toward a goal or just to hold a title? When you lead in the interest of a fundamental mission, you earn some of the respect that a leader needs to create a team. In the best case, the leader would be respected even if she did not hold the leadership position.

Margie Wakeham

Margie Wakeham is the executive director of Families Forward and is a member of the Irvine school board.

What is leadership? There is the Webster's definition - a person who has authority or influence - and then there is the collection of qualities that emerge as you move through a variety of leadership roles. A lot of being a leader is innate. You're born with a tendency toward leadership, and those traits are developed as you move through your professional life. I wish I had all of these qualities, but here goes!

Leadership is having a vision of where you want to take an organization. It is developing a team where the members feel a partnership in achieving the vision. It is being passionate and able to articulate the mission so others want to join the "team." It is knowing yourself and your limitations, and surrounding yourself with great people.

Understanding the importance of an organization's culture, evaluating its nuances and operating within that culture will keep a good leader on track. Having a strong sense of personal values and commitment can help a leader stay congruent with all levels of decision making. And of course, staying grounded and keeping a sense of humor is imperative.

Leadership is not about putting yourself first. It is not about taking advantage of the position of leadership to further you own agenda. A bad leader can be seduced into confusing the position with personal power. But a good leader allows others to shine, so that they too will develop a deeper commitment to the organization and strengthen the team.

We see so many examplels every day of good and bad leadership, not to mention leadership gone awry. Selecting leaders that possess the qualities important to us, congruent with our own beliefs, becomes more of a challenge as we review the cast of character each day, each election.

Tom Seeberg

Tom Seeberg is executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank in the city of Orange.

In my approach to leadership I basically strive for two things. One is to surround myself with reliable and competent personnel and the other is to fully implement the value of teamwork.

To develop that relationship, you must get to know your personnel, to assess their strong points and their weak points. Each person has something special to bring to an organization. You must also be able to exercise patience in dealing with everyday problems and help individuals to provide their own solutions.

I try not to pontificate. I seek my manager's input and for the most part, I follow their suggestions.

I believe in meetings but not in overkill. It is important for staff to know what is going on in an organization and to feel they are a part of its success. We make every attempt to review strategies and inform staff of what goals we hope to achieve.

Whenever we are successful, I feel it's important to share that success with those who made it possible. Whenever we fail to achieve what we set out to do, I'll accept the blame. For in the end, that's the leader's responsibility.