What Does it Take to Be a True Leader?

What is leadership? The dictionary defines leadership as, ‘a person who by force of model, talents, or behavior plays a directing role, wields commanding influence, or has a following in any sphere of activity or thought.’ However experts say that, ‘A True Leader is not the one with the most followers, but one who creates the most leaders.’

Expert opinion is that a leader as someone who knows that ‘Before you are a leader, success is all about developing yourself. When you turn out to be a leader, success is all about growing your fellow people.’ However, many believe the correct and best leaders were those who lead from the heart and who shadowed their own values. Other noted Leaders had anidea and were unafraid to follow that vision in accordance with their own divine, moral, and personal beliefs although intense opposition, rejection, failure, and even personal lacks.

So what does it take to be a leader? Here are ten qualities of today’s most effective leaders.

1. True Leaders identify who they are

They know their strengths so that they can maximize them, and they know their flaws so that they can surround themselves with colleagues that compensate for them.

2. True Leaders are frank

They do not use false facades or r faces. Alternatively, they say what they state and mean what they statethey are conscious of their own inner voices and selves, and strive to know themselves better every day.

3. True Leaders are accountable

They take total responsibility for themselves and for their behavior. They take concern for the results and consequences of their behavior. Nevertheless,True Leaders even take blame for their team or others for which they feel accountable.

4. True Leaders are highly principled

They understand that the onlypractical, marketable quality in today’s global economy is character.The dictionary defines character as a combination of respectable moral qualities classically of moral excellence and firmness blended with resolution, commitment, high ethics, force, and judgment. Every society and every culture values these qualities, which are core to a leader’s integrity.

5. True Leaders are thoughtful

They know that their “purpose” as a leader is to serve those that they lead. Therefore, they have genuine concern for the people they lead. They never disparage or humiliate others; and they do not rebate the opinions of others, even when they disagree with them.

6. True Leaders have a vision

They translate the here and now, the present moment, into their vision of the future. They focus on the big picture and can define that picture to their colleagues, subordinates, business partners, and customers. They realize the long-term effects of the tasks that need to be completed today, the desired outcomes of those tasks, and how to communicate the immediate needs of the business in terms of their future vision.

7. True Leaders are open for change

They listen without ego or prejudice; and they know that their idea does not need to be, and may not be, the right idea. They realize that new ideas and new perceptions are key to progress and improvement. This key trait keeps them, and their businesses, flexible, responsive, and innovative in today’s ever-changing business environment.

8. True Leaders appreciate the value additions

Leaders understand the value of teamwork and the synergy created through the combined efforts of several talented individuals. They recognize that their colleagues and subordinates must be valued, and they are secure enough in their own right to let others the opportunity to contribute. More significantly True Leaders make out that their additions may not always be the best contributions!

9. True Leaders are spirited

They understand that doing the perfect thing is often not the easy thing. They are prepared to fight for their beliefs. They are not swayed by the judgements and arguments of others, merely to avoid conflict or confrontation; particularly when those conclusions or arguments do not aid the greater good. Most importantly, True Leaders will do what is right even if it causes personal hardship!

10. True Leaders develop leaders

The best leaders treat each individual as exceptional. They teach, coach, advise, and even assist people who need it. They understand that the more they facilitate the improvement and advancement of others, the more they are satisfied themselves and the better they and their business become.

Beyond this, True Leaders are reliable. Nobody is perfect, and it is unlikely (if not impossible) that today’s leaders have each and everyone one of these qualities. But go back to the first of these qualities. True Leaders know who they are. They are honest with those around them, and more importantly, they are honest with themselves.

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