It can be said that leaders are not born, they’re made. Ralph R. Teetor is one of the most inspirational stories there are. His role as a leader inspired him to create and communicate a vision that motivated others. “Blind Logic: The Ralph R. Teetor Story” is about a visionary who battled blindness while developing goals and objectives that aligned with his vision.
Ultimately reaching success, creating the cruise control; he was a leader who had a clear understanding of what he wanted to achieve.
In order to become a leader, it is important that one has the ability to articulate their vision in such a way that inspires their team to work towards achieving a positive end result. Being blind did not hinder Teetor from reaching his goals nor his vision!
Here are some qualities needed to become a leader:
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Good communication is key to any successful business, and the importance of communicating effectively with your team cannot be overstated. Qualities such as active listening can make all the difference between a good leader and bad.
It’s also essential that managers are open and honest with their teams when communicating expectations, objectives and goals.
Ralph R. Teetor, most likely, became a leader because of his ability to effectively communicate his ideas and instructions to others. His clear understanding and strong interpersonal skills: strategic thinking, identifying objectives, goals, and his ability to adapt and become flexible created a leader who would leave behind a legacy.
Strategic Thinking
In order to be an efficient leader, one must possess the ability to think strategically which means having a clear understanding of the big picture as well as being able to identify potential issues and work out solutions.
A visionary who can think strategically is better equipped to make effective decisions that benefit their team.
Strategic thinking requires a leader to be able to consider different perspectives and angles when making decisions. It requires them to look beyond the immediate issue or problem at hand, and consider how their decision might impact the broader organization or industry as a whole.
Sometimes this means looking at issues from multiple angles in order to identify potential solutions that are both practical and beneficial for the business as a whole.
Identifying Objectives
A good leader must also be able to identify their team’s objectives and set realistic goals. This requires an understanding of what needs to be accomplished as well as having a good sense of how long it will take to reach them.
Good leaders will also take into account the resources available to them and consider alternative approaches to problems. Fighting for worker’s rights while standing ground against the UAW; Teetor utilized his skills to another level.
Reaching Goals
Reaching goals as a leader is an integral part of any successful organization. Not only does it show others in the organization what kind of leadership qualities one possesses such as dedication, focus, and determination, but it also instills trustworthiness which can lead to new opportunities for growth within an organization.
By setting ambitious and realistic objectives, while actively pursuing them with determination, a leader will find themself reaping many rewards along the way towards successful endeavors.
Adaptability & Flexibility
Leaders must be able to adjust quickly when things don’t go according to plan or when new challenges arise unexpectedly. They must also be willing to accept criticism from others without taking it personally.
While continuing to lead confidently and decisively in all types of situations, Ralph R. Teetor took the reins in all aspects of his field. Being flexible and open-minded enabled him to lead effectively and come up with solutions whenever necessary.
Future Leaders
The qualities mentioned above are essential for successful leadership; however, no single individual has all these skills naturally built in. This takes time and requires a lot of experience. Ralph R. Teetor’s inspirational story should be a lesson to anyone who has the drive to become a future leader.
Through continuous education, seeking out mentorship opportunities, practicing active listening skills, improving communication abilities, and embracing failure; anyone can develop these essential leadership qualities.
Ralph R. Teetor’s ambitions helped to create something that we all still use to this day.
For more information on a true pioneer, Ralph R. Teetor and his rise to leadership; a documentary not to be missed, please check out our website @ www.blindlogicproductions.com