8 Steps Towards Becoming the Leader You Need to Succeed

An essential aspect of succeeding in life is the ability to lead. It is crucial not only to lead others but also to lead ourselves. No one achieves success by simply following others; sometimes, we must forge a new path for ourselves.

Being a good leader goes beyond being at the forefront of the crowd. A leader must take action. Unfortunately, in America, we often judge leaders based on their appearance or charisma, rather than their actual actions. True leadership is determined by the actions one takes.

To become effective leaders, we must focus on actions rather than mere appearances. Although this article outlines eight steps, they should not be seen as a linear progression like recipes or instruction manuals. Instead, think of these steps as actions you need to take regularly.

First, be vigilant and open to new opportunities. "Reality" is not fixed; it constantly evolves. Consider the achievements of inventors, explorers, and social change agents. Some may argue that their success was a result of luck and being in the right place at the right time. While that may be true to some extent, if they hadn't been alert and open to opportunities, it wouldn't have mattered where they were.

Second, draw inspiration from various sources, including your opponents. Wise leaders constantly study their competition. In war, politics, and business, we often witness examples of research and reconnaissance. However, many tend to focus solely on finding weaknesses to exploit. If you aspire to be a leader of positive change, avoid falling into this trap. Instead, when you identify a weakness, make sure to steer clear of it yourself. If you find strengths, seek ways to strengthen your own qualities accordingly.

Third, strive to learn something new and promote it in innovative ways every day. This means continuously expanding your horizons, both internally and externally. Feed your mind with new lessons and knowledge, while also broadening your social circles. Seek out new people and immerse yourself in different social situations. You never know when these experiences might benefit you in your leadership role.

Fourth, search for answers in subtle clues and question everything. This step is an extension of the third one, as it involves seeking new knowledge. However, it also requires venturing off the beaten path of conventional wisdom. Don't limit yourself to reading books from the literary canon or bestseller lists. Consider attending seminars that encourage questioning and debate. Seek out unconventional thinkers, teachers, and writers.

Fifth, be ready to improvise when existing solutions are unavailable. Avoid making excuses. Necessity is the mother of invention. How can you be sure something won't work if you've never tried it before? Remember, not all approaches need to be traditional or straightforward. Analyze your problem from all angles and systematically attempt different solutions in various combinations.

Sixth, aim to make at least one person you care about happy every day. By making it a habit to show thoughtfulness and care to one person daily, you will foster a culture of kindness that extends to those around you. Making others happy also contributes to your own personal happiness. Imagine how much better the world would be if we all made a little more effort to spread happiness.

Seventh, offer help, even when there's no apparent advantage to you. This goes beyond writing a check; it involves giving your time, energy, and yourself. Sometimes, it may mean helping a stranger, while other times, it can be a deeply personal action.

Lastly, never let negativity have the final say. If your parting words are negative, regardless of your optimism about a project or action's potential, you will leave others with a lasting impression of negativity. Emphasize the positive, and you