Leadership and Innovation Characteristics - Transforming Your STEM Career Through Leadership and Innovation - page 82

personal computers, and other innovative resources that make learning from
your home possible.
Patience and Resilience
If you read the biographies of the great innovators of our time you will see many
people told them they could not do it and many times they had to get up when
knocked down. So many people today want instant success and to be cheered on
all along the way - while this may be the “stuff dreams are made of,” it's a far
cry from the real world or organizational leadership. Demonstrating an attitude
of patience as a team works to develop innovative approaches to address chal-
lenges and unexpected situations benefits a leader as this can create an atmo-
sphere of confidence, stability, and an air of faith in the team.
Many successful entrepreneurs/innovators were unable to realize a dream
because they gave up too soon. As a leader with a passionate vision, a common per-
spective is to adapt, adjust, and evaluate, but never quit: it is always too soon to quit.
In his topic The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership , John Maxwell tells the
story of the McDonald brothers who started a fast-food restaurant, made a suc-
cess of it, but failed when they tried to expand the business. They were good
restaurateurs and business managers, but they lacked the skills to progress to
higher levels. They were able to franchise only 10 new restaurants. When they
took in a man named Ray Kroc as a partner he soon became the leader who cre-
ated the global entity that is McDonald's today. That is the difference between
a manager and a leader [25] . Having the patience to see a challenge through or
deal with failure as you move towards a goal can be the difference between a
successful venture and one that was abandoned prematurely.
Strong Team Building - Build Your Own Team
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.
Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
Building your own team does not always mean starting from scratch. You
may have to take over a leadership position inherited from someone else. A lot
of baggage will come with this - people you don't know and who don't know
you; you will have to work with all of them to create your own team. Make it
clear that you are now their leader, but do not be arrogant while doing so. Share
your vision with them. Explain your way of working. Listen to what they have
to say. Don't ignore complaints and queries. Understand them and try to deal
with them sympathetically. If they are to be your team they have to work with
you, not in spite of you. Let them understand that you need them as much as
they need you. Once you have their loyalty, they are YOUR team. Never take
their loyalty for granted. The team culture should demonstrate value for loyal
behavior, otherwise it can diminish.