Tips & Reminders to be a Great Leader

So many books have been written about leadership, from the simple handbook to the comprehensive approach, from the secular to the spiritual. We all can recognize a great leader when we see one. They seem to stand above all the others. They have this air of confidence. Some call it charisma. But charisma is abstract. How does one “create” such a charisma ? Is it in-born (talent) or can it be learnt?

So much has been written about it. It is still not conclusive. But let us explore some aspects of leadership that make or break a leader.

What Is Leadership ?

Leadership is the ability of a person to inspire and influence other people to achieve a common objective so that people are willing to do their best to achieve the desired end-result.

One of the most common questions is “What is the difference between a manager and a leader?”. Without going into too much detail… You can be appointed a manager. But you are a leader only if your personality is recognized and accepted by the people that you lead.

So, leadership is a way of acting and behaving, not an appointment (position). Leadership is recognition and respect that is earned. You can force someone to obey you. You can even force someone to fear you. But you cannot force someone to respect you. Respect has to be earned. Leadership is respect earned.

How To Earn The Respect of The People You Lead ?

Besides the usual qualities such as having a clear vision, the ability to choose the right people to work in their team, the ability to motivate people, the ability to communicate effectively and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure, leaders must be seen to place a high value on beliefs and principles. Great leaders seem to have the ability to do the right things at the right time. Why ? How ? Is it instinct ? To other people, it seems to be so. But often leaders follow some basic guiding principles. They are very clear about what’s good, what’s not; what’s right, what’s wrong. In times where difficult decisions need to be made, these values and principles serve as compass that help the leader to make the difficult decision. Therefore, the circumstances may be different, but the driving principles and values that guide the decisions will always be consistent.

One of the most important qualities that a leader must possess is :

1. A Leader Must Have A Healthy Ego.

    A person with a healthy ego is someone with high self-esteem.

   “A mind that distrusts cannot bring out the best in others”.

   A leader whose primary objective (insecurity) is to prove himself   right and others wrong surely cannot bring out the best in others.   In such a situation, the relationship between the leader and his  sub-ordinate will not be inspiration. Instead in most cases, the   relationship will be adversarial.

  Leaders with healthy egos will be thinking : “What is right ?”

  Leaders with unhealthy egos will be thinking : “Who is right ?”

  Leaders with healthy egos will be thinking : “What needs to be done ?”

  Leaders with unhealthy egos will be thinking : “What do I need to  do to avoid looking bad ?”

2. The Importance of Having a Healthy Ego

    Having a healthy or unhealthy self-esteem will have a profound   effect in every aspect of your existence.                                  

This includes :

        * How you behave in your workplace

        * Your relationship with people

        * How much you are likely to achieve

        * How high you will rise

        * What level of personal happiness you will attain

Leaders with low self-esteem and unhealthy egos will have difficulty in many aspects of their existence, at work and in life. Such leaders cannot achieve their true potential, and also will not be able to lead his sub-ordinates to achieve their maximum potential.


sourch of : http://www.h-2.co.cc/2012/05/tips-reminders-to-be-great-leader.html