LEAVING A LEGACY

There is a big difference between being a good manager and being a good leader. Managers solve problems; leaders determine what problems to solve. Leaders inspire others and cause changes to occur. One of the basic characteristics of true leaders is that they know--and can relate to--the impact their legacy has--or will have--on their professions and society. Knowing the principles of leadership is basic in developing natural leadership skills. This article outlines the 10 commandments of leadership: have vision, stay focused, take responsibility, know your subject, team with great thinkers, be a motivator, stay positive, learn from mistakes, be an excellent communicator, and appreciate your legacy. All leaders have and use four basic kinds of power: delegated, affiliated, acquired, and rainmaker. Engineers can realize the tenets of the 10 commandments and position themselves for leadership in the industry and in society by doing as many of the following six things as possible: find a mentor and a role model, continue education after graduation, maximize communication skills, develop an expertise beyond engineering, become active in community affairs, and become versed in the art of politics. The article calls on today's engineers to leave a great legacy so those who select engineering as a career path in the future can be even better leaders and make the world a better place for everyone.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0742597X
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Weingardt, R G
• Publication Date: 2000-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 42-47
• Serial:
  • Journal of Management in Engineering
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0742-597X
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/loi/jmenea

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Communications; Community action programs; Education; Engineers; Future; Leadership; Managerial personnel; Motivation; Politics; Power; Problem solving; Strategic planning
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00788978
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 24 2000 12:00AM