4 Jobs of a Leader

I've been a serial reductionist for a long time.  Years ago when doing statistics for some educational work, I learned about dichotomizing (dividing into two), and later learned about doing analysis on variables to determine significance.  I think that carried over into how I read literature and analyze information.  I'm always looking for the main categories of focus.  It's either a gift or I'm just lazy with volumes of information...not sure.  However, it sure helps though in terms of organizing information in my brain... So...when it comes to leadership, I think there are 4 things every leader should do:

4 Jobs of a Leader

1)  Cast Vision
2)  Create Environments
3)  Develop Systems
4)  Equip Leaders

Breaking Down the 4 Jobs of a Leader

1) Vision Casting--great leaders cast a vision of the future that is preferable to the present.  Vision Casting is all about seeing the future with a “God’s-eye” view and painting the picture in compelling ways that causes people to risk the security of today for the hope of tomorrow

2) Creating Environments—great leaders establish a “greenhouse” for their teams where mission, vision, and values can flourish.  Creating the right environment allows greatness to prosper; the wrong environment kills creativity and destroys dreams

3) Developing Systems—great leaders don’t just do "pie in the sky" thinking.  Great leaders deal with "on the ground" realities and create systems for relationships, process, and support mechanisms to further the life and vision of their organizations

4) Equipping Leaders-great leaders always multiply value in the lives of others by giving away leadership to others.  Great leaders are not threatened by other leaders but instead are energized by them.  Equipping others means the whole team grows forward towards the future.
How are you doing in your 4 jobs?

Further Thoughts to Consider

Those 4 things have helped me organize my thoughts on leadership in the past few years.  Here are a few more thoughts on the subject that I wrote recently....

Good managers organize for efficiency. Good leaders direct for effectiveness. 

Great leaders galvanize and mobilize for breakthrough. Great leaders take their teams to greater heights than previously thought possible.