What it Takes to Be a Great Leader

What features can we associate a leader with? Reflecting on one or two leaders you have met and respected, what trait do they possess that makes them stand out and become that successful? Generally, leadership can be clearly understood because there are those specific behaviors that leaders have that can be learnt and adopted by anyone.

To become a successful leader, you must familiarize yourself with certain behaviors and personalities. The following guidelines act as a strategy on how to become an all round leader. Throughout the guidelines, put in mind the leader you always admire and relate their character with the tips.

Successful leaders have a high self-esteem and are comfortable with their status. A high esteem gives them the confidence to utter what they feel without having second thoughts on people’s opinions because they believe they have the best opinion.

A great leader always leads by example and is more of a channel to facilitate the achievement of a vision rather than a delegate. The leader will purpose on laying the strategies to achieve an objective and without protocols go for it because he/she believes that is the best way to achieve it. This gives them a visionary’s characteristic meaning that they focus on the final result rather than the setbacks.

From their communication, leaders can instill confidence in other people. From their talks, leaders can give inspiration and motivate people by telling them to exploit their potential to achieve greater results and success in their endeavors. The great ability to motivate people comes from the psychological fact that people are likely to follow leaders than other people.

A fundamental trait of a great leader is their preference and ability to take risks. Leaders will always move ahead in the most trying times in confidence due to their optimism. They believe that it is from hard trials that the best results are yielded and therefore challenge other people not to quit upon meeting stumbling blocks but to work their way around it or look for new ways.

Having a passion for what one does and respecting others is another key trait of a good leader. Having a love for what one does is clearly seen by others and people always want to be associated with such a person because it is usually a sign of confidence. It also makes people understand that the leader is sure of his/her objective and can easily achieve them.

A great leader serves the people or the organization that he represents. This means that the leader works to ensure that the objectives of the organization are achieved and not to selfishly acquire fame or credit. In short, the leader does not work to impress or prove of his worthiness but ensure that before anything else, the set goals are achieved.

Being a great leader is about trusting self-insights and instincts and working with them. A leader does not work with doubts on what to do or not do but believes he/she has what it takes to pursue even un-attempted ideas and make it.

Taking advice is a crucial trait for a great leader. A leader understands that it is impossible to work alone and become successful and therefore appreciates any advice given no matter who gives. Leaders realize that having someone else in the table increases the chance to come up with a better idea and even correct existing mistakes.

There is never a top leader and therefore, leaders understand that they have to follow those that are above them so as to learn more. Being humble enough to follow and learn makes leaders great because they learn from other leaders and improve on their areas of weaknesses.

The paramount trait of a great leader is not quitting. A leader must be able to overcome and face problems that come their way. This means, especially on the personal and private life that they must work on the habits that make them backslide from being that perfect and amazing leaders and embrace those that make them agile.

Want to learn more about what it takes to be a great leader? Request your Introductory Consultation.

Gregg Swanson is a peak performance consultant and human potential coach and has authored several books and numerous articles on peak performance. Gregg specializes in developing mental strength in individuals that desire to reach their full potential. He has developed a unique online training program “Develop the Mental Strength of a Warrior.” You can also pick up your free eBook,” Why Change is So Hard” by going HERE.