---

Guest post by: Ron Edmondson Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

Have you ever tried to lead someone who didn’t want to be led? The same children that were labeled “strong-willed” by their parents often grow up to be strong-willed adults. Perhaps you know one…perhaps you are one. (I know one personally…me!)

I believe leadership should be individualized for the needs of the follower. With that in mind, here are 5 tips for leading strong-willed people.

Give clear expectations– People respond best when they know what is expected of them, especially those with strong opinions of their own.

Be consistent– Strong willed people need boundaries. They will test them, but they want to know what the limits of their freedom.

Give freedom within the boundaries– Once the guidelines and expectations are established, allow followers to express themselves freely within them.

Pick your battles.– Don’t cross a strong-willed person for issues of little importance to the overall vision of the organization. If you back them in a corner…they may bite.

Respect their opinions and individualities– Strong-willed people ultimately want to be heard (as all people do), but they resist most when their voice is silenced. Learn what matters to them and give credence to their opinions.

What tips do you have for leading strong-willed people? Are you one? How do you like to be led?

Related Articles

  Doing Something Right Once
  The Gift Of Receiving
  Article # 35 Managing Your Time When You Have None
  Before You Dismiss Twitter
  Here is a Method For Managing Your Friends In The Workplace - Follow these 7 Simple Tips
  Chinese Salespeople May be the Next Group to Outsell Your Salespeople
  Managing techies
  4 Effective Working Capital Management Hints for your Business
  Bookkeeping Tips on Tips
  Debt Reduction Tips Every Joe Needs
  Easy Tips To Help Your Employees Whilst Managing Change
  When A Business Celebrity Goes To Rehab
  How To Get The Most From Celebrity Rehab
  Managing Your Online Reputation
  How to Move Forward With Laughter
  Workplace Motivation: 6 Ways to Be a Better Leader (Tip #56)
  5 Ways To Get A Job
  The Power of Positive Thinking
  How to be An Effective Leader in a Virtual Team
  Do You Avoid Dealing With Difficult Employee Issues?

Related Forum Posts

Business Tips
Different Hats
Re: HRPreneur
Re: Info for would be franchisers...
Re: your personality type?

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

A Strategic Plan from the Bottom Up

3 Steps to Being a More Effective Boss!

Environment and productivity at the office

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.