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Good leadership requires more than just telling people on your team what to do. It requires responding to different situations with different tactics. The approach you adopt with one person may be totally different than the next. However, if you treat every person and every situation the same way, your company could be suffering because of it. Researcher Daniel Goleman studied 3,000 managers and described the six most common leadership styles in the Harvard Business Review. His findings are what follow below. The next time you ride in your car service to JFK, consider which of these types best describes you, and see how you could tweak your managing style to adopt a little bit of each, when needed.
Visionary
This leadership style is needed when the team needs to go in a new direction. The leader will set an end goal for the group, but leave the implementation up to group members. This person will inspire the people around him or her to get excited about the new goal. While some employees may appreciate the freedom to work toward the goal as they see fit, others may have a hard time with the lack of specific directions. The visionary leadership style may also not work as well in situations where subordinates know more than the manager.
Coaching
Giving people individual attention is the focus of this leadership style. Employees will receive a lot of interaction and advice from their manager, making it a good choice for those who want further professional development. If a worker is set in his or her ways, however, this type of leadership won’t be as effective. Furthermore, the manager’s approach might not be looked upon favorably if someone sees it as micromanaging, instead of coaching.
Affiliative
Affiliative leaders nurture the team, and they’re a source of positive feelings in the workplace. So, if morale suffers because things in the company take a major downturn, the affiliative leader can be a great asset. However, because it’s so focused on harmony, this style of leadership is not ideal at all times. If a person takes this amiable approach continuously, workplace standards will start to slip. Use it when the situation calls for it, but be sure to use other types of leadership, too.
Democratic
The environment under a democratic leader is one of consensus. The executive will ask the group for their opinions and draw on their individual sets of expertise to help make a decision. This style works when there is no pressure from a tight schedule, but if the decision needs to be made quickly, democratic leadership can be a poor choice. Other times it may fail? Situations where the team does not have enough knowledge to help the leader make a well-informed decision.
Pacesetting
This leader expects better performance and faster results. In other words, he or she sets a brisk pace. Workers who are experienced and motivated will work well with this person. If an executive takes a pacesetting approach all the time, however, it can be harmful in the long run. Why? The high expectations will eventually be too much for employees, and they may feel they fail more often than they win.
Commanding
As its name suggests, this style of leadership is like the commander of an army: He or she gives orders and expects them to be followed. Unlike democratic leadership, this style works best when time is of the essence and the decision needs to be settled immediately. However, its biggest shortcoming is that it can lead to unhappy workers and discourage creativity.
Leadership can make or break a company. If your company is experiencing low morale or high turnover, that may be a sign that employees aren’t getting the guidance that they need. Consider ways that you could change your style of leading, and try taking a new approach for a week or two. The results may be a pleasant surprise.
“Work hard, play hard” is a common philosophy of many companies, but as an executive, do you really play as hard as you work? In fact, when was the last time you took a vacation? If you can’t remember, that’s a sign that you’re well overdue for one. If you’re not sure where to go, check out this list of some of the best luxury resorts in the world, based off the top hotels rated by Travel+Leisure.
Four Seasons Resort: Bora-Bora, French Polynesia
Nature surrounds you quite literally at this scenic island getaway. With some rooms boasting walls made from volcanic stone and other rooms right on the water, the resort makes you feel one with the outdoors while providing the ultimate in luxury. The nearby coral makes for the perfect snorkeling opportunity, and kids can even enjoy their own part of the beach, if they wish. For the most privacy, book one of the overwater bungalows; they give you a great view, and they’re placed along a deck that leads right into the water.
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs: Matauri Bay, New Zealand
Golf courses? Check. Tennis courts? Check. Acres upon acres of scenic greenery? Check. This resort has plenty of things that would make it your standard getaway, but where it really stands out is its spa. Praised for its quality, this center of relaxation is located inside of a rainforest. When it’s cold outside, fireplaces both indoor and out will keep guests warm. Travel+Leisure recommends the Owner’s Cottage for its spacious lodgings (4,200 feet) and views of the golf course and forest.
Oberoi Udaivilas: Udaipur, India
To truly get away, there’s nothing better than a resort on its own island. Guests who stay in one of the Premiere Rooms here will enjoy beautiful terrace views and access to their own private pools. A nature preserve will also let visitors see animals like peacocks, deer, and wild boars. But that’s only after they’ve checked in by riding a boat along Lake Pichola and a butler has brought them to their room. As if all this weren’t enough already, you’ll receive special departure gifts if you choose to stay here again in the future. The hotel gives guests either a mirror-work coaster or jewelry box to repeat visitors.
Post Hotel & Spa: Lake Louise, Alberta
The five cabins at this resort are in such high demand that reservations are sometimes made a year in advance. If you know you want peace and isolation during your vacation, however, it’s well worth the wait. In the evening, wine connoisseurs can choose from the extensive wine cellar, which holds 26,000 bottles of wine. During the day, guests may choose to walk up to the peak of Mount Temple and get a great view of the Canadian Rockies. If the excursion leaves you a little sore the next day, you can relax in one of the whirlpool tubs, or just enjoy a cup of coffee sitting by the fire.
Stafford London by Kempinski: London, England
Variety is the spice of this posh resort, with three different houses, each representing different time periods. The main house has traditional decorations that provide a refined setting, while the Stafford Mews boasts a contemporary look, for those wanting more modern lodgings. If you want to feel like you’re getting away from it all, in spite of the urban landscape, stay in the Carriage House. It has an environment lifted straight out of the English countryside. For meals, stop by Lyttelton for entrées such as summer truffle pappardelle and sea bass with heirloom tomatoes.
Though it may be tempting to check your email, voicemail, and other messages during your trip, try to resist that temptation. While it may be hard to break the habit of logging in, updating your status, and making phone calls within the span of ten minutes, you’ll feel all the more refreshed from not doing any of those things—if only for just a little while.
photo credit: Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre via photopin cc
No matter how many times someone has traveled, the process could always be easier. Perhaps your boss has the Los Angeles airport memorized and knows exactly where to go after riding in his limo to LAX. Maybe he’s learned how to pack his suitcase better than any artist has ever painted. He probably has loyalty rewards with several airlines and a standing reservation at the business lounge. Still, no matter how streamlined the travel has become, there are always possibilities for making the travel easier. If you’re ready to impress your boss once more with your knowledge and ability to make corporate trips that much more bearable, it’s time to consider reserving Meet and Greet services at LAX.
What Are Meet and Greet Services?
To be honest, the Meet and Greet services can cover several different possibilities. In fact, the agent who meets your boss at the curb can provide a customized service—whatever your boss needs is what will be provided. The real draw is a friendly face and inside knowledge of the airport. If corporate travelers need expedited check-in services, then the Meet and Greet agent can provide those. If boarding passes are needed, those can be acquired. If luggage assistance is needed, it will be given.
What Other Benefits Are Available?
Imagine throwing together a trip at the last minute for your boss. It’s not easy to organize the car service to LAX, the business lounge, excellent seats, boarding pass printing, pertinent documentation, and an itinerary for the trip. With the Meet and Greet services, you can rely on someone else to take care of some of the load. For instance, the agent can help reserve the best possible seats on the plane, print out the boarding passes, expedite the check-in process, and provide a companion and helping hand through security. In addition to these services, an agent can also procure a spot in one of the VIP lounges so your boss can relax in relative privacy while waiting for takeoff.
Helpful Direction
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of a Meet and Greet service is the personal guide through the airport. No matter how often someone travels, an airport can be baffling. This is especially true if the signage isn’t posted well or if some is missing. Nothing is more frustrating than following signs through half the airport, only to have that beacon of light go out. With a guide, your boss won’t even need to look for signs. He or she can simply follow the agent through the airport while also taking advantage of the luggage assistance. The guide can take your boss directly to the gate or help locate the business lounge.
Upon Arrival
All of these services previously listed are perfect for departures, but what about arrivals? When your boss lands in an unfamiliar city, nothing could be more reassuring than a friendly face. The guide can help gather luggage, move the process quickly through baggage claim, locate car services, and even suggest places to stop while in the area.
In reality, Meet and Greet services are like a personal assistant for hire. In some cases, they can even act as a concierge service. You’ll know for sure your boss is getting the best possible assistance while on the road, even when you can’t be there to take care of the little things. If you’d like to provide that kind of attentive service at all times, then you should certainly consider finding a Meet and Greet service that you can trust.
Several different companies are available to provide these services, so it’s simply a matter of finding one that fits your particular needs. You may want to audition a few different services before choosing one to stick with. The cost is certainly worth the benefits you’ll receive.
The thought of limousines and chauffeurs often brings to mind thoughts of camera flashes and couture, as celebrities enter and exit vehicles on red carpets. Viewers are certain these celebrities get the very best service possible, with additional safety and security on top of the concierge-style attention the chauffeur gives. The thought of receiving that same service for a simple ride to the airport or for business meetings simply seems out of reach, but the truth is, everyone deserves celebrity car service. If you’re not getting that same service and attention, you may want to rethink your ground transportation.
What service should every chauffeur offer? Here’s a starting list.
Attention to Detail
When you reserve limousine service in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or any other city in the world, there are certain standards you should expect. These standards should be available to any and all who step inside a chauffeured vehicle, regardless of fame or status. That same attention to detail that comes as an expected part of celebrity car service should be available to any passenger. That means your chauffeur will be on time, every time. Your trip will always be as peaceful or as playful as you choose, with music selections or silence. If you’re collecting several people, the addresses will be memorized, traffic patterns studied, and the passengers picked up without additional information or input needed. In fact, you won’t need to concern yourself with anything except which seat inside the vehicle to choose.
Safety and Security
Even if you’re not a celebrity, you deserve the same privacy. When your chauffeur collects you for a meeting, a dinner, a party, or simply a ride from the airport, no one else needs to know where you are. Truly excellent chauffeurs are trained to keep passenger whereabouts a secret. In fact, many chauffeurs are also trained security professionals, ex-police, former firefighters, and retired military. That means, in addition to discretion, you also get excellent security.
Concierge-Style Assistance
When you work with a world-class limousine service, you can also expect special attention from the chauffeur and the limousine company as a whole. This means you never need to worry about the dress that needs dry cleaned before the big gala, the printer that just ran out of paper before the big presentation, or the dead battery on your laptop. Great chauffeurs will go out of their way for any and all passengers by offering concierge services. Your dress will be delivered fresh and pressed, your paper for the printer waiting when you need it, and your laptop charger already plugged in and charging your computer. These are simply the services available to everyone and not just those seeking celebrity car service.
Consistent Service
Your chauffeur will always greet you by name when you work with an excellent service. You may wonder if he or she keeps a log of pertinent information and studies before picking you up. This may be the case, but the real fact is that your chauffeur—and your car service—will care enough about you to learn what they can. This information will be gathered over time to tailor your car service to your exact specifications. Instead of an invasion of privacy, you’ll understand with each tiny detail that it’s simply because your limousine service cares. If that sounds like something that’s only available with celebrity car service, think again.
As you can see, celebrity car service really is available to everyone, whether you starred in the latest blockbuster or simply need reliable transportation to a business event. You should never have to settle for anything less.
A job in management can be one of the biggest challenges of your professional life. You are juggling many of the hats you already wore, while balancing the additional, heavy, complicated hat of making sure that your team is productive, balanced and happy. The exhaustion and self-doubt that can result from hardships in your position of authority are enough to end a sterling management career before it even has its heyday. So what do you do when you find yourself teetering slightly on the edge of complete frustration and lack of confidence in your abilities to lead? You read some inspirational leadership lessons and get back at it, of course. And who better to inspire the fledgling leader in you than some of the original leaders of our country, our great past Presidents?
We’ve compiled a quick list of some of the best leadership lessons from some of our greatest Presidents to help give you the spark of confidence you need to lead like a pro.
George Washington
“We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting from dearly bought experience.”
Commonly called “The Father of America,” George Washington was a phenomenal leader who had an unparalleled vision for the potential of our nation. This, one of his best-known quotes, is easily applicable to your role as a manager in that it encourages perspective, the kind that will yield positives from any situation that arises. Not only will cataloging your past failures help you to revise your future approaches to the same problem, but failures or misfires give you opportunities to improve your interactions with your employees and your abilities to communicate with them during times of distress. Also contained in this quote from our great first President is some equally important advice: Don’t let your past failures haunt you. Dwelling on your mistakes will only throw a wrench in your confidence and productivity as a manager. Unless you use your mistakes as a positive lesson, you won’t reap any positive benefits.
Abraham Lincoln
“As our case is new, we must think and act anew.”
Few things can be said about Lincoln that don’t include his visionary approach to leadership. And the quote above reflects Lincoln’s beliefs that changing, as the times change, is both necessary and good. This lesson is invaluable when it comes to managing because it reminds you of the importance of being flexible, assessing the changes, whether environmental, societal or technological, that are affecting your business and molding your management style to be both accommodating and welcoming. Clinging to tradition is only effective in a few arenas; in the age of information, being willing to get up and go with the swing of things is one of the most valuable assets a manager can acquire.
Theodore Roosevelt
“Believe that you can, and you’re halfway there.”
Something that many leaders and managers can forget in the hustle of demands that comprise their jobs is taking the time to establish an unshakeable self-confidence. Few things can poison your performance quite like self-doubt, and when you’re a manager, you’re self-doubt is far more visible and affects far more people. Theodore Roosevelt said it best with the quote above: when you’ve decided to believe in yourself and your abilities as an effective leader and manager, and you’ve knocked out a ton of the work that it takes to actually manage. Remind yourself that you got the job for a reason, but keep in mind that you are responsible for a group of people who depend on you to help them do their jobs better. It’s a lot of responsibility, but believing you can do it is a huge part of juggling all of them beautifully.
Effective managing will likely never get easier, but keeping a few inspirational leadership quotes in the back of your mind for the days when your position really challenges you is an easy and comforting way to stay on track and keep on trucking.
Anyone can brand themselves a luxury provider, but finding a company committed to true VIP transportation is one in a million. The real difference between a chauffeured car and a true VIP transportation experience is in the details. From spotless detailing to a highly-trained chauffeur committed to an outstanding customer experience, the right executive company knows that achieving anything less than exceptional just isn’t an option.
The Executive Sedan
Each and every member of an A-List is unique, and exceptional VIP transportation providers have a varied fleet to meet your every need. Whether you’re in need of a security-detailed SUV or a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle, the top executive transportation companies have a fleet to accommodate every need. From safety to style, the options extend beyond the basic, black Town Car, whether you need to go unnoticed in a sleek Lexus or turn heads in a Rolls Royce Phantom.
VIP Transportation providers recognize that a luxury experience should feel like you’re the first passenger. Their vehicles are frequently detailed, inside and out. From a perfectly-detailed cabin with all the latest amenities to an exquisitely distinguished exterior, the best companies never ignore a single detail.
The Chauffeur
A chauffeur can make or break your VIP transportation experience: almost anyone can drive a car, but few can provide executive service. It’s a well known fact that traffic, accidents and road closures can stand in the way of your journey, and a professional chauffeur has the training and expertise to seamlessly work around these unexpected challenges. So what does it take to be a chauffeur at an elite company? The best companies look a little deeper than a clean driving record and background checks in the hiring process. They also know that old-fashioned customer service isn’t dead, and they work to employ chauffeurs who can provide ingenuity and great service in addition to safe driving skills.
Exceeding expectations shouldn’t be an occasional service, it should happen with each and every ride. You’ve worked hard to achieve executive status, and you should never have to settle for second-best. Sometimes a VIP Transportation experience requires a little ingenuity to navigate challenges, and the best chauffeurs deliver every time.
The Commitment
Preferred VIP Transportation providers are committed to an executive experience, each and every time. Delivering a chauffeur to transport you on time in a clean vehicle isn’t optional. Great companies are committed to gaining loyalty by exceeding expectations. No two VIP passengers are alike, and the best executive transportation providers are committed to recognizing and meeting each of your unique needs. Whether you’re in LA or New Jersey, the commitment to being the best VIP transportation provider should never waver. Exceeding expectations every time, regardless of the coast or time, should be part of the commitment.
Anyone can brand their company as a luxury specialist, but few companies will work hard to identify each customer’s unique needs and exceed expectations every time. You shouldn’t have to settle for a satisfactory experience of being driven safely and on time a town car. Exceptional VIP transportation providers understand that you deserve a highly-trained chauffeur and perfect car, and they’re committed to delivering an executive experience.
