| Characteristics of Leadership |
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| Written by Jeffrey Smith |
| Tuesday, 10 June 2008 08:23 |
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A leader must possess certain characteristics which he wants to incorporate into his team. The essential qualities of a leader are discipline, self confidence etc. As he is the role model for the followers, his movement will be keenly watched by others. Consequently, when performing everday task a leader must be careful, becasue he is constantly be observed. Leaders are made by hard work, not born that way. Important leadership characteristics are work ethic and intelligence. Being able to use common sense in accomplishing complex tasks is mandatory of a leader when making decisions on a given situation. Selecting the right strategy to tackle the situation is a must for a leader. Willingness to accept changes and flexibility to various situations are critical to leadership A good leader must be able to motivate his team members to achieve success. He must create excitement and confidence in accomplishing a task. He must be easily approachable to his subordinates. A great leader is one who is a master in the art of communication. He must be ready to listen to the words of his team members. Two way communication is therefore essential in leadership. Pushing the entire effort of his team is a must for any leader. Using the full potential of each member should be within his capacity. To prove their skills, he must give opportunities to each team member. A great leader is one who guides a team and not rules the team. Providing a trusting and open environment to the team members is one of the crucial leadership characteristics. He should offer an environment to the team members to where they can learn and grow. An excellent leader will have the strong sense of vision. A good leader must have the following characteristics, aside from the above characteristics mentioned: 1. Self esteem - To help face tough challenges a leader must possess the important quality of self esteem. 2. Need to achieve - a leader must be goal oriented and must be able to strive hard to achieve the goals. Taking risks is in his nature. A good leader is one who takes moderate and but not extreme risks. 3. Screening for opportunity - Having the ability to screen opportunities as useful and useless are a must for a leader. He must also be able to grasp any small opportunity missed by his competitors. 4. Optimism - a good leader must be an optimist. He should be able to see problems as challenges. A great leader will always view an obstacle as a way to a new direction. 5. Courage - one who has courage to face challenges is a trait of an outstanding leader. Risk taking is a crucial characteristic of a leader. Also, having the ability to make changes and to accept changes. About the Author: Wanting to become a more successful manager, then read these articles on Leadership Characteristics and Charismatic Leadership. These will certainly aim you in the right direction. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint. |