Leaders must focus on communication, goals and motivation Published Jan. 16, 2015 By Maj. John T. Himes 88th Operations Support Squadron director of Operations WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio. -- Today's leaders face the daunting task of combining issues, such as advancements in technology, an increasing workforce diversity, globalization and ethical considerations, into a cohesive management plan, according to Organizational Behavior. These issues place a great demand upon a leader's ability to adapt to changes in societal and market environments. To meet these demands, a leader must be able to communicate, set goals and motivate while maintaining an open mind to the needs of the organization and those he or she manages. The ability to communicate is the cornerstone of success. Not only does communication refer to the ability to make your views known, but it also refers to an ability to listen and understand the data relayed to you. Communication, when performed correctly, allows both the sender and receiver to turn data into useful information. Without this ability, personal and professional business would come to a halt with a resounding "thud," leaving programmed goals unfulfilled. Goals, quite simply, represent some place or some level that you would like to arrive at from where you currently are. Goals are by no means an ending point, because once a goal is attained, there is always a new goal to fill the void and keep the wheels of incremental improvement rolling. An effective leader has the ability to set realistic and incremental goals that offer enough of a challenge to ensure personal and professional growth while meeting the organizations objectives. This sounds easy, but there is a risk. If a goal is set too high and cannot possibly be reached, an attitude of defeat and resignation may develop. A goal that is easily attained may foster a sense of complacency or boredom. Both types of goals negatively impact the organization and its personnel. A good leader must understand this and provide the motivation needed to ensure task completion. The motivation to perform a job correctly has many shapes and forms. For some, money, recognition, awards and job satisfaction provide the needed motivation. It is the leader's responsibility to find the correct motivational approach that best suits the needs of the individual, while falling within the organizations standardized performance recognition programs. The correct motivation technique can greatly increase the chance of having a happy and productive worker. Lastly, an effective leader must possess an open mind, allowing for experimentation and the use of new methods for increasing productivity through calculated risks. Any new idea to increase productivity or improve morale is a risk. An open mind, however, allows a leader to consider using new information, advances in technology and different motivational approaches. Additionally, an open mind fosters communication between leadership and subordinates. It is necessary, in today's world of global economics, advanced technology and workforce diversity, for a leader to communicate effectively, set goals and have the ability to motivate. These paramount skills can be acquired through training, experience and emulation. No one person should be emulated; rather, leadership skills should be gleaned from a variety of military and private sector role models resulting in a diverse array of proven leadership traits and unique skills.