Finding good leaders is becoming increasing difficult for two reasons; lack of talent to teach others how to lead and the radical change in behavior of those who need to be led.

20th century leaders were autocratic, always in control and their word was god. The leader of the 21st century is different; he or she operates through consensus, abdicates control to others and understand that their power is strongest through engaging rather than dictating. This style of leadership is not by choice; it is generated by survival.

Today’s work force consists of millions of independent “contractors” who choose to work for you as long as you and the company meet their needs. They are often overworked, underpaid, pissed off, highly distracted and drained by the constant pressure of an incredibility competitive environment that requires them to stay ahead at both work and home.

Thus one of the most important skills of leadership is getting people engaged – getting them to listen to your vision, motivated by your business plan and excited enough to execute your strategy. In my keynotes and seminars I have identified key factors to generate engagement – The Six Rules of Leadership Engagement.

As a practitioner, who owned his own advertising and marketing agency, I tested these rules as way to get people to listen to a message, identify with a brand and actually make a decision to buy a product on the spot – all in less than 60 seconds.

As an educator with NYU and Duke CE, I developed an effective process that teaches people how apply these rules in both their business and life.

Please refer to the Six Rules of Leadership Engagement on your right.  For more information, or a complimentary Rules of Leadership worksheet, please complete the form below.

1. Breaking a Sweat: letting your team see you struggle creates a strong emotional bond. Clients who promoted this rule:
>> Jack Welsh, former CEO of GE.
>> Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft .

2. Create a Challenge: challenging your team enhances the engagement.
>> Virgin’s offered to send you to space.

3. Generate a Sustainable Experience: it’s as easy to generate a sustainable experience rather than a one off experience; it’s effect is greater, has less burn out and carries the team relationship over time.
>> Apple lives by this. Starbucks is learning this lesson.

4. Provide Transparency: Employees are motivated when they know what is going on, why they are doing it and what is expected of them.
>>Bloomberg’s innovative architecture demonstrates their corporate commitment to employees as well as customers.

5. Be Human: Share something about yourself that others don’t know. It makes them see you differently more vulnerable and interesting.
>>See world leaders apply this rule.

6. Deliver on the promise: Doing what you say your are going to do wins trust and instantly builds loyalty.  There are multiple reasons why this works. Today’s employees are conditioned to tune out new corporate strategies, 1000-day goals and redesigns of departments because their experience teaches them that the discussed goals are rarely every achieved.
>>cnn.money.com
(please scroll down to 6th paragraph)