An organization is a group of people which is more efficient achieving its goals than the individuals would be using the same resources. Quite simply, the leader is that individual who influences and guides the group toward its full potential.

Leaders are able to channel the energies of many to work together toward significant goals and the group's more significant vision. Leadership makes it possible for individuals to multiply themselves, thus overcoming the limitations of individual time, strength and ability.

The effectiveness of a leader is related to the ability to inspire and nurture a strong and vital group process. It is not a long list of competencies, characteristics, or credentials that is required to fulfill the demands of leadership. The key is very simple - humbly show up, tell the truth with compassion, and let go of controlling the outcomes.

The effective leader MUST:

Take criticism
Stand adversity
Delegate authority
Make decisions
Be free from prejudices
Learn to praise others, to share the credit
Concentrate on the agreed upon goals
Assume responsibility for mistakes
Not avoid responsibility for the mistakes of others
Grow and learn
Laugh

Each leader is an individual with habits, talents, limitations and interests. It goes without saying a leader possesses courtesy, intelligence, poise and personal charms, enhanced as one gathers experience through professional contacts. Blessed with every conceivable desirable characteristic as one may be, however, it is how one utilizes individual talents which determines whether one will be an outstanding leader, a mediocre leader, or, indeed, a leader at all. When developing your leadership style, consider the following:

GIVE CREDIT
Give credit for accomplishment to others freely, quickly, openly and unsolicited. Doing the opposite, taking credit for yourself which belongs to others is a dishonorable act which will destroy you ability to function as a leader.

CONTROL YOUR TEMPER
You must be able to discuss any problem or situation quietly and reasonably, regardless of provocations you may have to endure. Functioning, as a leader and not being in control of one's thoughts and tongue are mutually exclusive. To be a leader a person must first relinquish irrevocably, the right to be angry.

AVOID SARCASM
Avoid sarcasm toward anyone and anything. Also, avoid the joke with a sting or a double meaning. If such a joke is too good to be passed up, then be sure you have left in no one's mind a doubt that the joke might have been directed at them.

BE COURTEOUS
Not the "protocol" type of courtesy, but real consideration of other people's wishes, situations and feelings.

BE PROMPT
If you can't keep your appointments you will soon be a clog in the gears.

PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL
Arrogance or complacency can never be accepted. How frequently have the disasters of widely-known people confirmed the adage, "pride goeth before a fall." When you start telling anyone that other employees are "nuts" or members with complaints are "mean" or "vicious", then you are in deep trouble.

BE TRUTHFUL
Do not tamper with the truth. Every statement must stand scrutiny and every promise must be rigorously fulfilled.

LISTEN
Let others, particularly your subordinates, talk themselves out, even if it takes an hour of patient listening until they reach the real core of a problem. If you have dominated a conversation (instead of merely guiding it), you have probably done a poor job of listening.

COMMUNICATE
Express yourself concisely, clearly, and completely, particularly when giving instructions. Don't do a poor job of communicating with your associates.

AVOID POOR LANGUAGE
Eliminate dirty language and avoid swearing. Even slang terms and colloquialisms lead to looseness of expression and misunderstanding. Benjamin Franklin and Winston Churchill could verbally demolish an opponent without a single slang expression. Try reading their works.

ENJOY YOURSELF
Be sure you like your work. Of course, you should have plenty of outside hobbies and interests, but if you find it hard to come in on Saturdays or to stay during the evenings when it becomes necessary to prepare for a meeting or trial, then you probably either need a rest or should cut back on your activities.

BE GENEROUS
Help secure your future by generosity toward all in your organization, whose support and assistance make possible your leadership position.

The paralegal profession has grown tremendously within the last 15 years that I have been a part of it. As vital members of the legal community, we need to strive to be effective leaders.