Try and bring to mind some people who excel in leadership and whom you admire for their skills and leader characteristics. They can be historic figures, fictional figures and/or people you know in real life.
Take a second and really think about them.
When you carefully examine the traits of those people, you’ll likely find common threads running through each character – even though their leadership styles may differ greatly.
George Washington, considered one of the “Founding Fathers of the United States,” was also the first U.S. President and led thousands of men as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in America’s Revolutionary War.
He’s considered to be the most significant leader in founding and developing the United States of America.
Biographers of Washington describe his leadership abilities as “visionary, energy, experienced, charisma, courage, charm, character and temperament.” He was most widely admired for his patriotism – with intelligence mentioned less frequently.
Great thinkers surrounded Washington. His inner circle contained people like Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison), but his genius was in his leadership abilities and character, which was said to be incorruptible.
Another famous example: Winston Churchill. For most people he instantly comes to mind as a great leader of the 20th Century.
He led England through some of the darkest days known to man during World War II as England’s Prime Minister. He’s considered by many historians to be the greatest statesman of the 20th Century.
Most of us won’t reach the heights of leadership displayed by both Churchill and Washington, but we can learn and develop some of the same traits of leadership, transforming us into leaders within our own realms.
We can be leaders at work, home and among friends and family – the “stand-up” person with the characteristics needed to help others, teach and set an example which will inspire, encourage and motivate.
Characteristics of True Leaders
Some leaders are considered to be “visionary,” which means they have a clear and sweeping vision of what an organization, lifestyle or goal-setting we should strive for and become. These types of leaders remain constant in their vision and are consistent in setting and reaching goals.
One of the most desired traits in a true leader is high moral standards. To wield influence and trust in others, a person must be trustworthy and honest and carry through with his promises. A true leader walks the walk and talks the talk he advocates and naturally becomes a role model for others. His high standards set the bar high for those who admire and want to emulate him.
You can learn to be a leader. “Becoming a Boss: Learn How to Lead and Inspire,” presents the true characteristics of leaders and the laws you must observe so that others view you as a true leader. If you’re planning rise to the heights of leadership in your career, organization or personal life, you need to know how to be effective and focused and provide what is needed to succeed.
Some characteristics of a true leader include:
- Leaders are learners
– Leaders are constantly learning new and innovative ways of doing things. That also means leaders are open to constructive criticism and changing harmful habits.
- Creates momentum
- – A leader must be moving forward at all times. When you create momentum in yourself and your team, you head people who are poised to reach the finish line to success.
- Impeccable ethics and morals
- – When you apply ethical and moral standards to your methods of leadership, you’ll respect others’ rights and dignity. Those you lead will also develop ethical and moral standards.
- Ability to communicate
- – You can’t present yourself as a savvy leader unless you know how to communicate well with others. Communication is a two-way street – people must hear and understand you before you can communicate your views.
- Magnet to others
- – If you want to attract and lead others, become the person who appeals to them through actions, visions and viewpoints. Like-minded people are naturally attracted to each other, so if you project the type of person you want to attract, you’ll have a successful team.
- Be accountable
- – Take responsibility for every action you choose and every choice you make. The old saying, “The buck stops here,” is true for all leaders, whether you’re the coach of a team or the president of a company.
- Encourage creativity
- – When you’re leading a group, always encourage your members of the team to spread their wings and become a creative contributor.
- Have a profound interest in others
- – Part of becoming a great communicator and being able to lead others means that you must be interested in what other people are all about. Even the person you perceive to be uninteresting might surprise you and teach you something.
- Knows how to prioritize
- – To complete any worthwhile venture, it’s important to prioritize and set goals. Without goal setting, projects aren’t completed satisfactorily, if at all, and chaos is bound to occur.
Would-be leaders need to study the characteristics of leaders they admire and trust. It may be a family member or a historical figure, but carefully studying the traits you admire in the men and women who inspire you can help your own future leadership abilities.
Main Points of “What is Leadership?”
Leadership skills matter because they can help us reach success on a level we desire and that will help us live a valuable and worthwhile life. Section 1: Why Leadership Matters presents the bare bones of what constitutes a leader and what you have to do to make others follow you unquestionably.
Some main thoughts you should have learned from Section 1 include:
- You don’t have to be leading an army or a country to benefit from leadership skills. Learning these skills can help you become a better person and a leader in your own areas of expertise.
- Look to the lives of leaders you admire (in history or your own life) to gain knowledge of leadership which can help you lead others.
- There are certain characteristics of true leaders which set them apart. For example, high morals and loyalty are two that matter in anything you do.
- Momentum and accountability are two other characteristics of true leaders. When you develop these characteristics in yourself, you can begin to succeed in whatever you choose.
- True leaders also maintain a sincere interest in others and know how to prioritize their lives and work.
Think about those leaders you admire and write down some of their main characteristics. You’ll likely come up with even more traits which can be developed within yourself and help you to live your life to its highest potential.