Avoid Try

The pocket guide to

great leadership

When you think of great leaders, who comes to mind?

Steve Jobs or Angela Merkel perhaps?

Or maybe a fictional favourite like Harry Potter or Daenerys Targaryen?

But what about …

you? Whether it’s taking the lead in your group assignment

or putting your hand up for more responsibility at work, you might be surprised how many leadership

opportunities exist around you every single day.

But great leadership doesn’t just happen. It’s a skill that can be learned and practised. That’s why we’ve put together this pocket guide to great leadership.

By understanding what techniques you can try (and what you might want to avoid) in a leadership role, you can get off on the right foot with your team

and give everyone the best opportunity to succeed.

We’ve even included examples from some great (and not so great) leaders you might recognise …

Trybeing productive and prioritising tasks to be finished. This will clearly define goals and time-frames to your team.

In Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Alice prepares herself and her team for the defeat of the evil Red Queen. They train their bodies and minds and construct a clear plan to defeat the villain.

Avoidwasting time, as leaving everything to the last minute will only result in poor performance and an unhappy team.

In comparison to Alice’s team, the Red Queen is too busy being preoccupied with her head to devise an effective defensive plan for her empire. As a result, she is overthrown by the heroine, Alice.

Trydelegating the workload fairly by making use of people’s strengths and giving them opportunities to improve on their weaknesses.

Unlike Tywin, Khaleesi (Daenerys Targaryen) successfully delegates battle roles within her army by considering the proven strength and experience of each of her fighters.Avoid

delegating all roles so that you’re left with nothing but supervision.

In the HBO series Game of Thrones, Tywin Lannister was one of the most despised leaders because of his tendency to dispatch unwanted orders to his followers while he sat back and observed the mayhem he created.

Trybeing generous and excited to share rewards with the whole group.

Despite being a somewhat reluctant leader, Shrek shared the reward of freedom with all the fairy-tale creatures and they celebrated their success together. Avoid

being selfish and only thinking of the benefits for yourself.

Unlike Shrek, Lord Farquaad wanted Princess Fiona so that he alone could control the kingdom and exploited his team to achieve his goal without sharing any of the rewards.

Great leadership doesn’t just happen, it is a skill that can be

learned and practised.

Tryinvolving yourself with your team by actively participating and giving input.

Co-founder and former CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, worked alongside his team and was involved in all aspects of their work in order to achieve the best possible results for the company.

Avoidbeing lazy and leaving the team to do most of the work.

Previous Apple CEO, John Sculley, was forced to step down due to his lack of commitment to the company’s goals.

Trywalking the walk, and proving through your actions why you’re the best leader for your team.

Luke Skywalker was a courageous hero and Jedi who proved his strength to his team time and time again. He certainly walked the walk.

Avoidbecoming a bad role model — you may talk the talk, but you’ve got to lead with your actions.

Star Wars villain Jabba the Hutt was unable to move of his own accord, yet expected his slaves to follow orders and submit to his will. He was a villainous and greedy role model, consumed by his own arrogance.

Tryto learn something new every day. Embrace this opportunity! Give your team a chance to explain their own thoughts and to have a voice.

Harry Potter eagerly seeks advice from Hermione Granger, receives encouragement from Ron Weasley and looks to Lupin, Sirius Black and Dumbledore for guidance.

Avoidassuming you always know the answer. Your team may have some valuable information or suggestions that could benefit your entire group.

Professor Umbridge had a superior attitude and never allowed students’ feedback on tasks, but instead, punished them with painful detentions (e.g. I must not tell lies).

Great leadership doesn’t just happen, it is a skill that can be

learned and practised.

Tryto be creative and push boundaries. Find new ways to approach your work and encourage your team to do the same.

Ferris Bueller is exciting and creative and encourages his friends to step out of their comfort zones and push boundaries to try new things.

Avoidbeing boring, monotonous or regular — nobody wants to work in a team that never tries anything new.

‘Bueller … Bueller …’ Trust us, nobody wants to be in that infamously boring economics class lead by the droning teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

All leaders are different, and find different ways to lead their team. An extraordinary leader can

gain trust and cooperation from their team. They often lead by example and do things for the

good of the team without expecting a reward.

Remember: great leadership doesn’t just happen, it is a skill

that can be learned and practised.

USQ offers many opportunities for students to take part in leadership roles. If you’d like to develop your skills and experience as a leader, visit usq.edu.au/life or contact your nearest Phoenix Central team.

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 10.4.C 02.2017

usq.edu.au/life

The pocket guide to

great leadership