How to Recognize the Leadership Power You Possess
August 29th, 2008 by Great Leadership
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
There is a great debate that has been going on for years as to whether leaders are born or if they are made. Each side feels that they are heavily armed with proof that they are right. The truth of the matter is they are both right. Everyone is born with everything they need to become a leader, however many people don’t realize that they have those qualities. When people don’t realize that they possess leadership qualities they go out and learn how to become a leader.
The bottom line is that everything you need to be the next great leader you already have. Now you just need to find those qualities within yourself. Understand that becoming a leader is a process. Don’t expect to be the low man on the totem pole today and king of the hill tomorrow. Finding the leader within you is a journey and it is one that you need to be dedicated to.
Incidentally, it should be noted that those who are leaders in their industry or in their jobs are also leaders in their personal lives. It’s not a quality that you turn on and off. Leadership isn’t a job; it defines the person you are, who you are.
So what qualities or attributes do leaders posses? A leader possesses integrity. Believe it or not but this is the single most important quality you must have. People are going to follow you, they are going to do what it is you are asking of them if they believe that you are moral and ethical and you are going to follow through on what it is you are saying. How I like to think of integrity is that you wouldn’t do anything you would be ashamed to tell your grandmother and your children.
As a leader, you also need to be consistent. You need to decide the direction you want to go in and then stick with it. Don’t walk into your company one day and tell everyone that you’re taking it to the next level, to increase the company’s presence in the industry, and then the next week to say that you need to cut the budget and downgrade company technology. Establish a goal and then work toward that goal every day to make sure it’s accomplished.
Having a deep understanding of your business is important in being a successful leader. Educate yourself as people like to deal with other people that actually know what they are talking about, and can tell them what their company can do for them. You can’t fake this. I am sure you know what I am talking about; you have talked to a “professional” that didn’t really have a clue as to what they are talking about. You just shake your head and walk away. So make sure you know your business.
You’re also going to make mistakes, and this is something everyone experiences. The key is not to necessarily avoid making mistakes in the first place (although prudence and being careful of course is important) but to own up to them when you do and then fix them. Admit mistakes and don’t try to hide them. You’ll lose respect if you do. It’s not true that you’re never going to be criticized, either. You are going to be criticized and have opinions thrown your way that you don’t necessarily agree with. Again, sometimes, these opinions and criticisms are going to be warranted, and you’re going to need to take them. Be able to listen to people and then make decisions. Listen to others, but make the final decision as the situation warrants. With a little bit of know-how, you can bring out your own leadership qualities already inside you and be on the path to true power in every area of your life.
