At a networking event I attended earlier this year, I met some very interesting young people and got talking with them. During the conversation with each of them, I found myself asking them where they plan to be in 5 years. Not surprisingly, they all wanted different things. But the similarity between all the replies they gave was that they all wanted to be the 'boss' in some way, whether by owning an organisation or being the Chairman/CEO of one. All of these interprets to being in the position of a leader.
To lead means to direct with authority or by influence, to conduct, command, or be in charge. A leader is therefore one having authority to direct. From the beginning of time, through different ages and cultures, there has always been a person, or a group of persons, who have been looked up to as leaders. They were there to guide, protect, fight for, and provide for the people they exercised authority over.
In our present time, not much has changed. Even more is expected of a leader. He or she ought to have leadership qualities. Leadership qualities are those characters present in a leader which helps him exercise and execute his duties.
The first and most important of such leadership qualities is service. A leader must be ready to work for and/or with his team, and if necessary, do the work they can not or have neglected to do. A leader must always be ready to serve. By service I don't mean being a slave to those he ought to lead. On the contrary, a leader ought to be able and ready to do play his part to push the vision of the organisation. This quality works together with another quality which is commitment. A leader that is committed to his work will have the respect of his team who in turn will be committed to achieving results.
Flowing from service is another quality which is delegation. The quality of a person's work will lessen if he does too many things at a time. As the saying goes, a jack of all trades is a master of none. A leader should be able to delegate somethings to those working for him. This shows them that he trusts them with his idea, and trusts that they will deliver. This will motivate them to work hard.
Honesty is another quality that some don't acknowledge. This quality goes to the ethical standards of the organisation. If the team can not be honest among themselves, how do they expect to deal with those outside the organisation?
A leader must have good communication skills. He should be able to communicate his ideas to his team and/or investors, and those he answers to in the organisation, if any. He must also have good communication channels so that ideas of the team members, concerns, or complaints can be relayed to him effectively.
Management and decision-making skills are very important for the progress of the organisation. To effectively reach the target mission and vision of the organisation, this skills must not only be present, but must be applied in good time.
Confidence is another quality and an extremely important one. A confident leader can push his team to heights unimagined. When a leader is confident in stormy times, this will increase the morale of the team, making them ready to work. Positive attitude is also a quality and a leader who has this quality even in times of need will not only build the morale of his team, but keep them motivated to see results.
A leader must be creative and intuitive. When a 'Storm' hits the organisation and it is thrown into a new and unexpected path, a leader who trusts his intuition will be very handy.
Humility, discipline, determination for success, ability to inspire, approachability, and hardworking attitude are some of the leadership qualities a leader must have. With all these together, there is hardly any height a leader can not attain.
Work on yourself, build yourself...the sky is your stepping stone!
- The Lady
“Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of
that which the young men have drawn.”
Ruth 2:9
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