7 Leadership Qualities
Leaders are a necessity. Society is an organization, and as such,
will not grow or flourish without leadership. Effective leadership has
qualities that mark it out. It achieves. What are some of the
qualities of such leadership?
A- Mastery of task
Any leader worth their salt ought to have a mastery of the task over
which they lead. It is equally acceptable to be gifted at selecting
the best of candidates to fill in the areas where the leader cannot
be. No leader can be reasonably expected to hold all the key
positions.
B- Earns the respect of the followers
This is closely related to the above. No leadership can expect loyal
followers if their is no clarity as to the direction in which the
organization is heading. Coercion and bullying tactics hardly earn
respect. If the leadership is clear sighted and effective, those being
led can confidently look towards the leader, whenever there is the
need.
C- Selfless
The leader who is interested only in self is easily spotted. There is
generally little or no support for followers. The leader who will take
all the credit, even for the output of those being led cannot long
expect to retain any respect. The leader represents, and is an
embodiment of the aspirations of the followers.
D- Sharp and decisive
A leader who cannot make decisions cannot truly be seen as a leader.
Decisions have to be made on several issues, sometimes several times
in a given day. Making decisions is a marker of a leader.
E- Accessible
The leader who is not accessible can hardly identify with those being
led. Even reasonable instructions appear as dictations when such
instructions come from faceless leadership.
F- Has the working Solution or knows Strategy and tactics of the
organization
This boils down to the fellow with the answers or solutions. If those
being led do not what to do next, the leader cannot afford to be in
the same position. The leader usually knows a thing or two which
others do not necessarily know. Leaders can be creative. They might
even be visionary, depending on the situation.
G- Communication, Communication and more communication
Leadership ought to lead. This is done by communication. This
communication can be verbal or non-verbal, but there must be
communication. Relationships are built on communications and the
leader who cannot communicate cannot build those relationships.
Communication is at the heart of leadership.
Of course there are many styles of leadership and at times, the style
employed depends on desired outcome. The above are by no means
exhaustive, but where any of those skills are lacking, the difference
is usually clear.
It is sometimes inferred that leaders are born, not made. This may or
may not be the case. It may, however, explain the difference between a
leader and a manager. One is not necessarily the other. It is also
necessary to make a distinction between a leader, an individual and
leadership which could be many and have several people.
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