Effective Leaders Understand That People Don't Change Their Nature

There are many things that effective leaders do because of their understanding of human beings. It is very seductive to think that you can change people's nature. In fact, conventional wisdom states that people's nature do undergo change and anyone can be anything they want to be if they try hard enough. And as a manager it is your duty to direct these changes. Make sure that your rules and policies control your staff and train them in the areas they are failing at. On one hand you have control over your staff and on the other hand you have to develop them by ignoring what has been provided by nature.

Great leaders reject this concept totally. They know that each individual is true to their unique nature and they recognize that different people are motivated differently. Each person has an individual style of relating to other people, building rapport, their own way of thinking and their own strengths and weaknesses. They are completely aware that there is a limit to how much you can change someone. However, they don't complain about the differences and try to put them in the little boxes, they capitalize on the differences. Their efforts are directed towards their strengths so that they can become more of what they already are.

Great leaders believe sincerely that people don't change that much and they suggest that you shouldn't waste your time trying to put in what is missing. Instead, you should try and draw out what is already there and develop it further. They use this belief in the way that they lead their staff by applauding their diversity and building on the strengths. As a result they develop loyal followers who appreciate being recognized as individuals and not being forced to be someone they are not.

This insight is the source of the wisdom practiced by great leaders. It explains their approach to everything they do with and for their people. These beliefs are the foundation of their leadership success. They don't think that everybody has unlimited potential to reverse their weaknesses. They believe that the biggest opportunity a person has is to take their strengths and make them excellent. That's why they don't treat everybody exactly the same and they reward people differently according to merit rather than a blanket piece of positive reinforcement. They are aware that positive reinforcement if it is given equally, it will be inadequate for some and too much for others because of the range of performance.

Now some people may raise their hands in horror and say this is discriminatory. Great leaders realize that if you want to devalue positive reinforcement, then give it equally.