7 Characteristics of a Great Leader

What makes a great leader? Are they born leaders? Do they learn to become leaders? Or are they put into situations where the only options are to sink or swim? Are the ones that swim considered the leaders? All these questions and more will be discussed in this blog post.

 

 

 

History demonstrates that the great leaders of the world all have some similar characteristics that they share. The Roosevelts, Gandhis, Churchills, lincoln, Washington, Franklin & King just to name a few, all shared similar leadership qualities. Leaders are like everyone else, but stand up in face of adversity, stay true to character when tempted to stray and have a cause to fight for much greater than their own personal gain.

 

1. Establish a Vision and look forward to see that vision come to life. The vision should unify your team and give them a purpose that everyone channels their efforts into making this vision a reality. A great visionary will have a team, a entire company, a state or even a nation behind its vision because they all realize that when the vision come to reality all will benefit.

 

2. Check your ego at the door. In the words of my good friend Jerry Myers, “Leggo my Ego”. Today’s leaders are humble. The days of the King’s dictatorship reigning over his thrown casting down on people, employees or a nation are long gone. It doesn’t make the leader any less driven, just a smarter approach to lead by inspiration instead of fear. In a company, leaders who do not put the vision of the company their first priority weaken it and become less effective leaders. On the contrary, great leaders put the company’s vision first. As any great entrepreneur will do, their vision and integrity come before profits, knowing if they plot the course and stay true, the profits will multiply.

 

3. Serving others is a critical leadership quality. If you can fill a need and improve the quality of people’s lives, then you are serving a greater cause than your company, your product and your profitability. Ken Blanchard illustrates in his book “Heart of a Leader” that the flock is not there for the sake of the shepherd, the shepherd is there for the sake of the flock. Taking an interest in the team builds great camaraderie and builds trust and open communication which is key when several people are representing your company or products. It is they that must live the vision in order a leader to be successful.

 

4. Take Responsibility means that you acknowledging that you are solely responsible for the choices in business. It is easy to take credit for success, but only a great leader for claim faults. One who owns their actions is one who is respected. A great leader re-charts the course after realizing an attempt has gone astray.

 

5. Lead by Example – Mahatma Gandhi “We must become the change we want to see”. Would you rather follow a leader who is the hardest working person, most dedicated to the vision and holds the highest amount of integrity or would you rather follow someone that says do as I say, not as I do? It sounds so simple and the choice is obvious, but so many leaders have that mantra. Work hard while I play golf, promote the company while I come in late and leave early. Many leaders who have paid their dues have a sense of entitlement and say they have been there and done that. Not the best of attitudes to lead to greatness. The great leaders are still there, still working hard and still have a love and passion for what they are doing and do it because they choose to, not because they have to.

 

6. The most important job of a leader is to have a reality check and realize if the goals and visions of the company, team or nation are a reality. Is there a general lack of progress or is something looming that could threaten the goals or visions? Scott Blanchard says, “The best leaders are the ones who talk about what other people are thinking about and what they’re fearful of and they demystify it. They’re very clear in their approach in terms what they’re going to do about it. This is easier said than done for most leaders, but publically addressing a problem shows the employees or team that you are on top of the situation and it is a concern of yours as you know it is a concern of theirs too.

 

7. Don’t Quit, even when the chips are down and if major setbacks are happening. The one who perseveres are the one’s well respected. No matter what happens, no matter how bumpy the road gets, don’t quit. Persistence is a virtue and keeping your commitment and making your actions consistent with your words is a crucial key component to any great leader.

 

 

Craig Garcia
www.CraigGarcia.tv