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Leadership cut across all spheres of life, ranging from the family setting, church setting, business setting, market setting, school setting, football setting down to the political setting. Everybody defines leadership in many different ways, but one definition that got to me was John C. Maxwells definition. He defines leadership as: A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way . However, whichever definition we accept, we must understand that a leader is the difference maker between success and failure. A leader must possess certain traits which are indispensable that will help him lead effectively. A good leader must be goal-oriented and futuristic in decision making. A good leader must be able to turn an idea into reality, convert an idea into something productive geared toward achieving the set goals.
What Are Leadership Qualities?
To lead is not easy when you lack a certain trait. In fact, you will fail in any approach you take in the course of your leadership when you lack these qualities. Without some skills and trait leadership will only amount to nothing.
Leadership qualities are skill, character, attitude and mentality that a true leader must possess to help achieve a set goal. What it means is that any trait contrary to achieving a set goal by a leader is termed as an undesirable skill a leader shouldnt possess.
Is Leadership Born with or Its Something We Learn and Develop Over Time?
It is subject to a debate as to if leadership is something people are born with or its a skill that can be cultivated over time. But I believe both are correct. Every man is born a leader. Inherent in every man is the spirit of leadership. The reason while it seems as though its something that can only be cultivated over time is that it takes some certain level of discipline to bring them out these traits. The does not by any means negate the fact that leadership trait cant be acquired through learning. It can, but my point is that you learn how to lead before its, first, your nature to lead.
Indispensable Qualities of a Leader
- Must have vision and purpose. To lead as a leader, there must be something that you are inclined towards: a goal. It is this vision that your followers see that make them want to follow you. A good leader must have a clear vision of where they want to go, and the necessary strategy on how to get there. When your followers can see the big picture, they can see where they are heading. He shares his vision passionately and clearly and makes others see how important their effort is towards achieving the goals.
- Must possess honesty and integrity. A true leader must not lack honesty and integrity reason being that being honest is not only the best way to lead a team successfully but it is the only real way to make connections with others. Whether you are trying to lead a team or a family, the truth remains that everybody you interact with looks to your honesty and code of ethics to set their bar.
- Should be able to leading by example. As a leader, the best way to gain trust, credibility and respect from others is to demonstrate the right example you want them to do. Exhibit behavior you want others to follow. If you are the type of leader that demands a lot from others you should set high standards for yourself too. A good leader never instructs others to do things they wont do. It strengthens a relationship when instead of instructing how to go about a particular task; you get in there and get your hands dirty, even dirtier than theirs.
- Must have a structure in place. Behind every true leader, there is structure put in place to achieve the conceive goal. No system of leadership will last until structures are put in place. Structures are plans and strategies out in place to achieving a goal.
- Full of self-confidence. To be an effective leader you must be bold enough to trust in your abilities. You must be confident enough to attract others to yourself. No one would want to follow a coward. They want someone who will stand up and be confident about a plan in case things go wrong. A leader should be oozing with confidence and fortitude and must be assertive in some certain decision that requires taking bold steps outside the box.
- Must be sacrificial. A true leader should be sacrificial. A perfect example of this is our Lord Jesus Christ. Putting others first before himself.
- Humility. A true leader must be condescending. Humility makes a leader approachable and as such being able to interact actively with their followers effectively from a place of shared humanity which breaks down communication barriers. Humility brings out the true nature of your followers because they feel safe with you.
- Inspire and motivates others. When all odds are against the team, a true leader must have what it takes to conjure up a winning spirit. The best leader drives their team forward with passion, enthusiasm, inspiration and motivation. Others should be able to look up to you for inspiration.
- Effective in communication. Communication is paramount when it comes to leadership. Not until a leader can communicate his vision and goals succinctly and tell others strategy to get there, it will become difficult to get the results they want. In fact, if you are not able to communicate your message to your team effectively then you are not a true leader. This is because words have that immense power to inspire and motivate people, and make them does the unthinkable.
- Empathy. A good leader must be able to feel the pains of his followers. Unfortunately, today most leaders follow the path of dictatorship. To some extent, he should be able to identify and understands the thoughts, feelings, or emotional state of his followers. This is important when making some certain decisions, by putting others first before you.
- Decisive in making a decision. Sometimes your follower wouldnt be happy with your decision, at some point you have to make some certain hard decision. Even if you make a wrong decision and need to correct it, showing decisiveness during tough times is a better leadership quality than waiting around for something to happen or letting others make the decision for you.
- Must be accountable. A true leader must be accountable. He must take the blame for any mistakes and not rub it on others. He ensures that all his followers as well are held accountable. And when they have done well, he gives them some public pat on the back, just to motivate others to do better. But if they struggle, he is patient enough with them and makes them realize their mistakes and improve on them. Holding them accountable bring a sense of responsibility amid them and make them serious with their roles.
- Must be creative and innovative. The world is evolving, and as such leaders with a good level of creativity and innovation are highly sort after. No matter the setting you find yourself leading, circumstances will test your level of creativity and innovation as a leader. A good leader should be able to think outside the box and make up unique ideas and turn those ideas and goals into reality.
- Must be God-fearing. A leader that lacks this factor lacks all. This is because true and pure leadership is founded in Christ Jesus. He is the perfect example of a true leader both in character and in action. A leader with a genuine passion for God has all the above-listed qualities.
Final Thoughts
Every man is a leader, no matter where you find yourself there are some roles that demand your leadership. To be effective leaders you must possess a majority of the above qualities if not all but if you lack some of them you might struggle in your quest for leadership. But there is room to work on you. As a leader you must have a showing commitment to others, must be effective in sharing your message others and above all a leader must not lead without a clear vision and goals, without goals and vision its like a blind man leading a blind man.
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