How to be a Good and Positional leader

There are different level of leadership, this is the basic entry level of leadership. The only influence  you have is that which comes with a title. People who stay at this level get into territorial rights, protocol, tradition, and organizational charts. These things are not negative unless they become the
basis for aqhority and influence, but they are poor substitutes for
leadership skills.
A person may be “in control” because he has been appointed to
a position. In that position he may have authority. But real leader-
ship is more than having authority; it is more than having the
technical training and following the proper procedures. Real lead-
ership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow.
A real leader knows the difference between being the boss and
being a leader, as illustrated by the following:
The boss drives his workers; the leader coaches them.
The boss depends upon authority; the leader on goodwill.
The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm.
The boss says “I”; the leader, “we.”
The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader
The boss knows how it is done; the leader shows how.
The boss says “go”; the leader says “let’s go!”
fixes the breakdown.

 CHARACTERISTICS OF A
“POSITIONAL LEADER. ”
Security is based on title, not talent. The story is told
of a private in World War I who shouted on the battlefield, “Put
out that match!” only to find to his chagrin that the offender was
General “Black Jack” Pershing. When the private, who feared se-
vere punishment, tried to stammer out his apology, General Per-
shing patted him on the back and said, “That’s all right, son. Just
be glad I’m not a second lieutenant.” The point should be clear.
The higher the person’s level of true ability and the resulting influ-
ence, the more secure and confident he becomes.
This level is often gained by appointment. AII other
levels are gained by ability. Leo Durocher was coaching at first base
in an exhibition game the Giants were playing at West Point. One
noisy cadet kept shouting at Leo and doing his best to upset him.
“Hey, Durocher,” he hollered. “How did a little squirt like you
get into the major leagues?”
Leo shouted back, “My Congressman appointed me!”5
People will not follow a positional leader beyond his stated authority. They will only do what they have to do
when they are required to do it. Low morale is always present.
When the leader lacks confidence, the followers lack commitment.
They are like the little boy who was asked by Billy Graham how to
find the nearest post office. When the lad told him, Dr. Graham
thanked him and said, “If you’ll come to the convention center
this evening you can hear me telling everyone how to get to
heaven .”
“I don’t think 1’11 be there,” the boy replied. “You don’t even
how your way to the post office.”

Positional leaders have more difficult
with volunteers, white collar wor ers, an
younger people. Volunteers don’t have to work in the organi-
zation so there is no monetary leverage that a positional leader can
use to make them respond. White collar workers are used in participating in decision-making and resent dictatorial leadership. Baby
boomers in particular are unimpressed with symbols of authority.
Most of us have been taught that leadership is a position. Frus-
tration rises within us when we get out into the real world and find
that few people follow us because of our titles. Our joy and success
in leading others depend on our abilities to keep climbing the
levels of leadership.