By Natalie Carter/reporter
Leadership is up to each individual, a NE history instructor told students at the Elements of Successful Leadership seminar March 28.
Andrew Hollinger said students should use their resources to find information on being a leader.
“And what’s your favorite way to find information? Google!” he said.
Multiple sites give viewers a list of qualities necessary to be a good leader, Hollinger said. One site says that people should be so passionate about their work that they would do it for free.
“I don’t know about that,” he said.
Hollinger said people may not do it just for the money. However, one has to make a living.
The majority of the sites gave the same checklist of qualifications: have a vision, have good communication skills and be a good example, Hollinger said.
“Leadership is the art of getting someone to do what you want because they want to do it,” he said referring to a quote by former President Dwight Eisenhower.
Hollinger had his own list of qualities leaders should have, beginning with understanding one’s mission. The elements of success include deliverability, timing, criteria and recognition of who judges success, he said.
Another quality, Hollinger said, is understanding the environment. This includes beneficial factors, competitive or oppositional factors and resource assessment.
Hollinger told the students to define their roles. They need to know the expectations of those above and below them. They need to accept authority, commit to resources and have a reward and punishment system.
“Praise in public, counsel in private,” he said.
Planning is another valuable quality, Hollinger said. He advised students to have a general outline and scope and make sure it was deliverable. It’s a team effort, so everyone must buy in, he said.
The leader must be visible, active and knowledgeable, Hollinger said. Leaders should make sure they touch base with their sponsors and divide the rewards fairly, he said.
Anytime a person works hard but doesn’t get the proper appreciation, that person is not going to work hard again, Hollinger said.
