Three basic skills

We have found three topics to be very popular in developing leaders: Vision, Inspiration and People development.

We call them the “Leadership VIP” ©.  They apply in every business context and are especially relevant to charities. Leaders also need other qualities and skills, especially in character and values, but these three are fundamental.

If you use this outline, please mention Oxford Leaders as the source. It is only a short-hand version of a complex subject, and in any case the most important skills are not taught but “caught” by working alongside other leaders and honed by personal experience.

Vision

This doesn’t have to be large or prominent in order to be effective. The important thing is that you are, or will eventually be, committed to it with a deep passion. You might not even know what it is yet. Ideally, you will want to work with your team to create it.

A vision is more than a static picture, a mere snapshot of the future. It is something you hold with fervour and personal conviction.

Inspiration

Every battle needs a call to the troops. Every movement needs a mover. Leaders inspire people to follow volitionally, not by force or coercion. It is very different from management.

Many potential leaders have a great idea, but find that nobody follows until it is expressed motivationally. The skill can be learned and developed.

People Development

This is where many leaders stop short. After some initial excitement about a strategic vision, the followers begin to slow down and lose interest.

The best organisational leaders take their teams forward in a dynamic way, helping them to keep growing professionally, personally and corporately. When leaders learn how to develop others, and they achieve exceptional performance; it turns good organisations into great ones.