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Distinctive Leadership

By August 4, 2010February 14th, 2019Articles, leadership

I posted a comment on my Facebook page the other day;

"Why would you be just a leader or a boss when you could be a Distinctive Leader instead?" 

It received a few comments which got me thinking. I am clear on my vision as to what a "Distinctive Leader" is but I wonder what yours is? 

I re-branded my business in April this year in consultation with my marketing coach from the previous name of Paradigm Coaching. Distinctive Leadership is a more descriptive and powerful brand for what I do within the business and for my clients. Developing and encouraging leaders of distinction, who stand out from the rest. Who are role models and who make a difference to those around them. That is Distinctive Leadership. Sounds good but what would the leader actually be doing to fit the category of Distinctive Leadership? Let's have a look at the top 5 things they may be doing:

  1. Distinctive Leaders are leaders in business and out of it. They are leaders all of the time. They do not choose where they will be a leader and where they won't. Some are natural born leaders, others have learnt the skill of leadership. Each as effective and as powerful as the other.
  2. Distinctive Leaders are leaders of consciousness. These leaders take leadership to a new level. They understand the new economy that we are entering and the need to create tribes and membership for people. They are very conscious of what they stand for as a leader and what they do not stand for. They are also very conscious of how they impact others, how their communication style, both verbal and non-verbal, can either engage or repel others. Or how it can assist others to grow or suppress them. They are conscious of the environment and the highest intention of their leadership. As I said, they take it to a new level.

  3. Distinctive Leaders are courageous. The word courage can, I believe, be very loosely used. Courage, also known as bravery, fortitude, will, and intrepidity, is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation (Wikipedia). Leaders with courage will have the hard conversation, will confront the "elephant in the room", will address hard issues and will not hide. They are proactive and clear in their communication. They will take a stand and act on what they believe is right regardless of whether they polarise their market or not. Their vision is to be respected rather than liked.

  4. Distinctive Leaders are thought leaders. A thought leader is someone who is recognised as being innovative. A leader who does not get stuck in the "norm" or the comfortable way of doing things. They challenge the status quo. They may search for alternatives to conforming to how things are historically done. They are solution focused. They have the ability to sell their idea and to share their ideas so it permeates their marketplace for the better.

  5. Distinctive Leaders are leaders of change. Our world is constantly changing. People and business change as they grow and evolve. Distinctive Leaders are conscious of this and embrace change. They lead change looking for the positives and understand that  this is critical to personal and organisational transformation. They are committed to a better way.

These are just 5 of the many characteristics of The Distinctive Leader. A Leader who stand out from the norm and who is a magnificent role model for our society. 

How many of these Distinctive Leaders do you know?

We would love to hear your comments.