The Qualities Of Leadership 9-Being Persistent

Poll number: 
67

Question-Week ending Sunday 11/02/03:

In which relationship are you or were you "MOST FLEXIBLE" in your thoughts, decisions and actions? Please read our Poll Commentary before taking this poll.

Pre-Poll Commentary:

An appropriate degree of flexibility is an admirable quality of Great Leaders. Being flexible means being responsive to change or being adaptable to new conditions or paradigms. Being flexible does not mean changing your mind, direction or plans on a daily basis or second guessing each strategy or action taken. However, the world around us is changing faster than ever and Great Leaders will take advantage of the opportunities presented by this change.

Great Leaders who practice the appropriate degree of flexibility can be very consistent, while being bendable to a point that does not cause injury. They create budgets that allow for the unexpected to occur. They set hours, wages, prices and policies that satisfy the goals and expectations of all constituents involved (stockholders, employees, clients and venders). They are usually more creative in solving the many challenges they encounter. They also will have a tendency to empower others to take on more responsiblities and share in the burdens as well as the spoils of success. Practicing flexibility can be a powerful tool in the arsenal of a Great Leader.

Let us know in this week's poll, in which relationship you are or were "MOST FLEXIBLE" in your thoughts, decisions and actions. This poll will end on Sunday 11/02/03, when the results will be displayed.

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Results:

  1. 30% of voters chose that they "MOST FLEXIBLE" in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their CLIENTS
  2. 25% of voters chose that they "MOST FLEXIBLE" in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their FRIENDS
  3. 21% of voters chose that they "MOST FLEXIBLE" in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their SPOUSE or LOVED ONE
  4. 12% of voters chose that they "MOST FLEXIBLE" in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their SUPERVISOR
  5. 08% of voters chose that they "MOST FLEXIBLE" in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their FELLOW EMPLOYEES
  6. 04% of voters chose that they "MOST FLEXIBLE" in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their CHILDREN

Post-Poll Commentary:

I am not surprised that the many successful people who participate in our polls chose that they were most flexible in their thoughts, decisions and actions with their CLIENTS. Those that are extremely successful in business live by the motto that the customer is always right. So why don't we apply this same motto when interacting with our spouses, parents, children and others whom we wish to have an excellent relationship with? This is a question that we must all sort out for ourselves. The fact is our respondents placed clients and children at opposite ends of the spectrum regarding flexibility in this poll. This says a lot about the thought processes we have toward interacting with others.

Great leaders shoot for win-win relationships with those they interact with. Displaying flexibility helps achieve this win-win relationship and gets others to both respect you more and go the extra mile to help you achieve the overall mission of the company, enterprise or organization. Become more flexible today! Even with your kids!