Why Some People Are Great Leaders,
and Others Are Not
Leaders fail every day. Find out why, and what they--and you--can do
to stay pointed toward success.
Many
people call themselves a leader--but many of them fail at the actual task
of...well, being a leader.
So why do some fail where others succeed?
The proof of leadership, its true measure, is
not about being assigned, appointed to, or awarded with leadership. It is about
action, not position.
True leadership is earned, and it is earned
by having an impact--a lasting influence, an effect on those around you.
Here are seven traits of the most successful
leaders:
1.
They lead with character.
You
have to know who you are. What makes people want to follow a leader? Why would
you follow one leader to the ends of the earth but wouldn't count on another to
lead you across the street? What separates true leaders is their character--the
quality of who they are as an individual person. Leadership isn't about a
designation. It's a matter of knowing who you are and spreading your passion so
profusely that others are inspired.
2.
They cultivate strong relationships.
You
have to know whom your important relationships are with. A common leadership
mistake involves trying to lead others before developing a relationship. The
stronger the relationship you have with others--the deeper, the more caring,
the more connected you are--the more likely you are to have an impact. You have
to learn what makes your most vital relationships tick. When you learn about
the people who are important to you, you can help them fulfill their dreams.
3.
They steer with competence.
You
have to know what they know. The ability to understand people is one of the
greatest assets anyone can develop. Learning what your people know has a
positive impact in every area of your life, not only in your leadership. The
biggest gift you can give your people is to learn what they know. The best
leaders always surround themselves with individuals who are better than they
are. They look for people who know more than they know, without feeling
threatened or defensive. They look to develop their own competencies so they
can influence people and make an even bigger impact.
4.
They trust their intuition.
You
have to know what people feel. Few things are more important or pay bigger
dividends when it comes to business and leadership than getting to know how
your people feel. When you do, you can understand what they're thinking and get
inside their perspective. Nothing will give you greater satisfaction or bring
about more influence than being a leader who understands what people feel.
5.
They focus on experience.
You
have to know what they've done. If you want to make an impact, find out what
your people are committed to. Where do they spend their time and their money?
What are they passionate about? People buy into leaders who are interested
in their experience, who want to know what they know. Leaders who can honestly
say, "I don't know it all, so tell me what you know" are truly
influential.
6.
They take pride in potential.
You
have to know where they can develop. Too often, people make the mistake of
focusing on their weaknesses. As a result, they spend too little time focusing
on their potential. True leadership is about lifting people up, raising their
performance to a higher standard, and building their personality beyond their
former limitations. To have impact, you need to focus on the potential.
7.
They inspire to motivate.
You
have to know how to inspire them. You must be able to believe in your people to
be able to motivate them. If they see your belief that they have some value, if
they know they can make a difference, they will be influenced by you. People
earn leadership not through their power but because they have the ability to
motivate and inspire others. True leadership is not about elevating oneself but
lifting others up.
Great leaders are capable of developing these
seven core elements. They know that to truly affect people, you have to
influence them. If you don't, they will not follow you.
BY LOLLY DASKAL
http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/7-secret-traits-of-most-successful-leaders-first-90-days.html?cid=em01014week09a
Leaders fail every day. Find out why, and what they--and you--can do
to stay pointed toward success.
Many
people call themselves a leader--but many of them fail at the actual task
of...well, being a leader.
So why do some fail where others succeed?
The proof of leadership, its true measure, is
not about being assigned, appointed to, or awarded with leadership. It is about
action, not position.
True leadership is earned, and it is earned
by having an impact--a lasting influence, an effect on those around you.
Here are seven traits of the most successful
leaders:
1.
They lead with character.
You
have to know who you are. What makes people want to follow a leader? Why would
you follow one leader to the ends of the earth but wouldn't count on another to
lead you across the street? What separates true leaders is their character--the
quality of who they are as an individual person. Leadership isn't about a
designation. It's a matter of knowing who you are and spreading your passion so
profusely that others are inspired.
2.
They cultivate strong relationships.
You
have to know whom your important relationships are with. A common leadership
mistake involves trying to lead others before developing a relationship. The
stronger the relationship you have with others--the deeper, the more caring,
the more connected you are--the more likely you are to have an impact. You have
to learn what makes your most vital relationships tick. When you learn about
the people who are important to you, you can help them fulfill their dreams.
3.
They steer with competence.
You
have to know what they know. The ability to understand people is one of the
greatest assets anyone can develop. Learning what your people know has a
positive impact in every area of your life, not only in your leadership. The
biggest gift you can give your people is to learn what they know. The best
leaders always surround themselves with individuals who are better than they
are. They look for people who know more than they know, without feeling
threatened or defensive. They look to develop their own competencies so they
can influence people and make an even bigger impact.
4.
They trust their intuition.
You
have to know what people feel. Few things are more important or pay bigger
dividends when it comes to business and leadership than getting to know how
your people feel. When you do, you can understand what they're thinking and get
inside their perspective. Nothing will give you greater satisfaction or bring
about more influence than being a leader who understands what people feel.
5.
They focus on experience.
You
have to know what they've done. If you want to make an impact, find out what
your people are committed to. Where do they spend their time and their money?
What are they passionate about? People buy into leaders who are interested
in their experience, who want to know what they know. Leaders who can honestly
say, "I don't know it all, so tell me what you know" are truly
influential.
6.
They take pride in potential.
You
have to know where they can develop. Too often, people make the mistake of
focusing on their weaknesses. As a result, they spend too little time focusing
on their potential. True leadership is about lifting people up, raising their
performance to a higher standard, and building their personality beyond their
former limitations. To have impact, you need to focus on the potential.
7.
They inspire to motivate.
You
have to know how to inspire them. You must be able to believe in your people to
be able to motivate them. If they see your belief that they have some value, if
they know they can make a difference, they will be influenced by you. People
earn leadership not through their power but because they have the ability to
motivate and inspire others. True leadership is not about elevating oneself but
lifting others up.
Great leaders are capable of developing these
seven core elements. They know that to truly affect people, you have to
influence them. If you don't, they will not follow you.
BY LOLLY DASKAL
http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/7-secret-traits-of-most-successful-leaders-first-90-days.html?cid=em01014week09a
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