Using Simon’s definition as a compass, let’s
x-ray ten(10) qualities anyone aspiring to be a great leader should have.
Inspiration
All great leaders in history have been known to possess a certain charisma with
which they have ‘charmed’ followers into sharing their dreams and believing
that their idea is worth the push. From Martin Luther King Jr.
to Steve Jobs, the ability to share the energy and the drive,
makes others want to support you. This is the first hallmark of a great leader.
Delegation
Great leaders understand they can’t do it all alone, so they channel their
energy to finding the best people to do what they need done. Although anyone
can delegate, great leaders attach purpose to each job and make it worth doing.
Commitment
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years long years in prison to
actualise his long walk to freedom. Leadership is not for the fainthearted.
Every great leader understands how to stick it through, even when it gets too
hard.
Communication
The best businesses thrive on one resource: feedback. People need to clearly
know what is expected of them, when they are on the right path and when they
are not. This is a point when great leaders excel. Due to their clarity of
purpose, they understand how to communicate what they need done to who needs to
get it done.
Transparency
Anyone who wishes to come close to being a good leader must never give
followers or anyone at all, a reason to doubt them or feel they are holding
something back. Great leaders make people feel safe by being as open, and
honest as possible.
Creativity
Great leaders are dreamers. Being able to imagined worlds yet in-existent is an
often undermined trait; one which great leaders possess in abundance. To be a
great leader, you have to be a problem solver and a change-maker. You must have
an eye to identify what doesn’t work and how to fix it.
Responsibility
Nothing improves excellence more than the habit of never blaming others. Great
leaders can’t expect people to be accountable if they themselves aren’t; so
they strive to make no excuses and focus more on fixing problems or correcting
mistakes.
Confidence
The ability to trust your intuition even when tested is an important quality
that makes great leaders. A leader loses relevance if found to be too flexible
with decisions. People will follow more when they know that a person believes
in his own mission and is willing to bet on it. The likes of Elon Musk
have shown this trait –
time and again, with the projects they have taken on and their trust in
themselves to deliver such projects.
Optimism
The understanding of great leaders is this: my attitude reflects on my people,
so if I have doubts, they will have doubts too. This is why a positive attitude
is crucial for a leader to excel. Be happy; that’s what great leaders do.
Learning
Every great leader is a lifelong learner. They understand that growth happens
through learning, so they are willing to be beginners every day. They embrace
their mistakes and learn from it. To them, failure is just an opportunity to
start again, better.
While we won’t pick sides in this age long
debate, we are certain that if a person can acquire these skills, he or she
will make a great leader.
credit: Bellanaija.com
