As long as we have leadership, we\u2019ll have a healthy debate about how much of it can be learned and how much is natural. Regardless of where you land on the issue, you would probably be willing to agree that the final answer is neither 100%\/0% or 0%\/100%. Effective leadership is some combination of the two.<\/p>\n

Learn How You Lead<\/h2>\n

The \u2018learned\u2019 column is easy to describe, including important functions like setting direction, managing performance, coaching people, and more. Books, courses, videos and on-the-job training cover the spectrum of topics and then some.<\/p>\n

Many of the elements in the \u2018natural\u2019 column relate to style. And one important aspect of style is the degree to which a leader exercises the right \u2018touch.\u2019 Some leaders have it and some don\u2019t. For those who don\u2019t, are they destined to be ineffective?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen it. The leader who pushes the team so hard that its members disengage. Or the leader whose easy style results in a country club environment. How about the leader who is all business? Or the one who seeks too much personal information? Some leaders are very adept at adapting their touch. Others operate as though they are bound to a one-size-fits-all policy. A leader who is adept at using the right touch is often described as charismatic. One who doesn\u2019t is often seen as rigid or aloof.<\/p>\n

Develop Your Leadership Touch<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s the good news. Even though it is heavily influenced by our natural style, we can still improve our leadership touch by following these three recommendations:<\/p>\n

Be conscious of the degree of touch you are applying to a situation<\/strong>. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (the touch of a fly) to 10 (sledge hammer). Being aware is the first step toward adaptation.<\/p>\n

Notice the impact that your chosen degree of touch is having.<\/strong> How do people react? Is it causing an increase or a decrease in engagement?<\/p>\n

Work on exercising various degrees of touch.<\/strong> In other words, control your touch. Being able to adapt your touch may be the hardest part. Sometimes you need the touch of a fly and sometimes that of a sledge hammer. There is no single approach that works in all situations. There is no single approach that works for all people in the same situation. There is no single approach that works for a person in all situations. The truth is that the right degree of touch depends on the situation and the person.<\/p>\n

Will your leadership style be perceived as charismatic or as rigid and aloof? The good news is that the choice is yours. The tough news is that it may take some work to get there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*Photo Courtesy of\u00a0artur84\/FreeDigitialPhotos.net<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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