Practical Psychology is a weekly newspaper column I have been writing for over 20 years. It is designed to address psychological topics that are most useful to its readers. Please feel free to re-print any of them in any form you wish. I ask only that you give the information about how to subscribe and credit for authorship. Thanks.

TIMELESS PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.

You are always a leader. Whether you lead others or simply lead your own life, you will use whatever leadership skills you have learned. Those skills may be effective or ineffective, positive or negative, creative or destructive. Regardless of their nature, leadership skills are a part of being human.

Over centuries of human history there have been leaders who have displayed positive and effective leadership skills. They learned some of the timeless principles of effective leadership. Hundreds of books have been written recently about what it means to be an effective leader.

The principles of effective leadership do not change. The contexts in which they are followed are always changing. Here are some of the more timeless principles of leadership that are relevant to any situation.

1. Be yourself. If you try to display characteristics that are not reflective of who you genuinely are, you will always live in fear of being found out as a fraud. Your leadership will be fear-based not confidence-based.

2. Set the example you want others to follow. "Walk your talk!" Become the model you want others to emulate. Practicing what you preach maintains your personal integrity. Maintain a balanced lifestyle.

3. Inspire others to share a vision of the outcomes you want. Such a vision always challenges the status quo. Growth is random if not focused on attainment of a mutually envisioned outcome.

4. Empower others to act. See everyone as a "diamond in the rough." Give responsibility and control to others so they act in accordance with your shared vision of the outcomes you and they really want.

5. Give more than you expect from others. Most people are focused on themselves, their lives...their self-interests. When you shift your focus from self-interest to what best serves the interests of others, you inspire loyalty...even gratitude.

6. Accept responsibility for all the consequences of your actions. Express appreciation and give credit to others for those actions you want to reinforce. Avoid blaming anyone for events that have already occurred. Catherine the Great once said, "I praise loudly, I blame softly."

7. Emphasize cooperation and collaboration rather than competition. Competition always breeds winners and losers. Cooperation and collaboration result only in "winners." Everybody wins when you work interdependently.

8. Publicly show gratitude and respect for others. Make your words and actions demonstrate how much you value other people's contributions to your business, your organization, your family, your goal attainment...and your life.

9. Maintain your sense of humor. See the humor in difficult situations. Don't take your endeavors too seriously. Ask yourself, "Will this really matter in 50 to 100 years?" Humor engages the heart to experience the excitement and joy about being alive.

Whether you lead others, or want to be effective in leading your own life, the above principles will serve you well when you practice them and view them as the timeless laws of leadership they are.

Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. has 30+ years experience as a Life Coach and Licensed Psychologist. He is available for coaching in any area presented in "Practical Psychology." Initial coaching sessions are free. Contact him: (970) 568-0173 or E-mail: DrLloyd@CreatingLeaders.com or LJTDAT@aol.com.

Dr. Thomas also serves on the faculty of the Institute For Life Coach Training and the International University of Professional Studies. He recently co-authored (with Patrick Williams) the book: *Total Life Coaching: 50+ Life Lessons, Skills and Techniques for Enhancing Your Practice*and Your Life!* (W.W. Norton 2005) available at your local bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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