MANAGEMENT BY WALKING ABOUT

• Relax – People will sense your genuineness and casualness, and they'll respond accordingly. Stiff, formal conversation will probably lead to equally rigid responses.
• Listen and observe more than you talk – Use active listening with your staff. When people feel you're hearing them, you'll probably seem more sincere. 
• Ask for feedback and ideas – Let everyone know that you want ideas to make things better. As the boss, people may think that your opinions and ideas are "right." So hold back from saying what you think – the goal is to see what others have to say.
• Wander around equally – Don't spend more time in one department or section than another. And don't always talk to the same people, or to people with certain ranks. You want to be approachable to everyone, regardless of job title or position.
• Use the time for spontaneous recognition – If you see something good, compliment the person. This is a perfect way to show your gratitude.
• Hold meetings "out and about" – Instead of having all your meetings in the boardroom or your office, meet with people in their work areas and "on their turf." This can put them more at ease. Communicate your expectations and needs so that everyone knows what you value.
• Don't use this time to judge or critique – This can make people nervous when you're around. If you see something that concerns you, talk to the person later, in private.
• Answer questions openly and honestly – If you don't know an answer, find out and then follow up. If you can't share something, say so. Telling half-truths can break down trust.
• Communicate – Share company goals, philosophy, values, and vision. Your "walk-arounds" are opportunities to mutually share information that helps everyone understand and do their jobs better.
• Chat – Effective organizations aren't all about work, work, work. Build relationships. Learn the names of your staff's kids. Find out what they love to do or where they're going on vacation. Joke, laugh, and have fun. You may be surprised at how great it feels to relate on a personal level with the people in your office.
• Don't overdo it – Don't leave people feeling that you're always looking over their shoulders! Wander around often enough to get a good feel for what's going on, but not so often that your presence feels like a mundane distraction.

Leaders vary by occupation, personality, and style. There's no specific formula specifying exactly how to lead well. Still, great leaders throughout history share a common set of characteristics. In this article, we would like to fill in the picture of a leader for you—one quality at a time. The four features listed certainly do not represent a comprehensive list. However, if a leader lacks any one of them, then he or she will be limited in an important respect.

Character gives rise to discipline and responsibility. It's the inward character that enables a person to stand firm. Character is not inherited, nor can it be purchased. It cannot be built instantly, but instead requires years of construction.

Character shows itself in a person's consistency. Jerry West, former Los Angeles Laker and member of the NBA's Hall of Fame, once remarked, "You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good." Character gives you the resolve to do what's important, even when it's not convenient.