Are you a Leader?

What is the best judge of a #leader, one may ask? The answer is simple; look at their #team!

I have an exceptional quality; I can keenly observe and catch what is powerful in people. This article highlights my understanding of an authentic leader over a period of fifteen years as a working professional, an entrepreneur and a consultant/coach. Here is what I found out:

1. A Real leader has an uncanny ability to #organize themselves and #communicate their thoughts in a manner to sway the masses, to influence a matter.
2. They stick to the #Vision. Always!
3. Their focus always remains on the highest good of all.
4. Conflicting situations are an invitation for them to be better and derive better outcomes.
5. When they initiate something, they make it their responsibility to follow up on it till it reaches its completion.
6. They are clear and concise in their communication and what they wish to achieve with their message.
7. While setting a #goal, they plan the roadmap, define roles and responsibilities, channel resources to set people on the right path, and yet leave scope and freedom for individual creativity and improvement. Thus aligning personal goals to the larger goals.
8. They are indubitably highly #inclusive. This inclusivity is shown through equal opportunity disbursement to the right people for the job.
9. They provide an open platform for individual expression, yet without digressing from the larger goal.
10. They bring all discussions to a close without leaving room for future ambiguity.
11. They call a spade, a spade, without offending anyone personally.
12. They are more than open to handing over complete #responsibility for new ideas/initiatives with a clear message of what would be the expectations.
13. They willingly take upon themselves the tasks which are more tricky in nature and also announce the same out loud.
14. The team members feel all are treated equally in the presence of their leader.
15. They keep things light for others without digression from vision.
16. Their straightforwardness can sometimes be confused with a lack of warmth early on, but eventually, it becomes one of their most admired qualities, as this behaviour of theirs does not change with the passage of time or even the quality of work delivered.
17. Every communication coming from a true leader is soaked in clarity and a constant scope for #improvement.
18. Transparency is their unique and non-negotiable character trait. They have nothing to hide. They do not appreciate or even encourage secrets. Thus making everyone feel safe, exposed yet protected with a true leader.
19. They are not afraid to show their vulnerabilities but with dignity and strength. Thus making everyone feel comfortable to be vulnerable around them without the fear of being attacked in the present/future or even being judged at work for that reason.
20. They have a clear and accurate idea of all of the lines of activities for the achievement of the goal, without #micromanaging, yet being on top of the minutest things.
21. They have the same enthusiasm for the oldest to the newest initiatives running parallel in their team.
22. They have an unfailing #mindset of continuous improvement, a very hands-on approach to any work undertaken, and consistency as a natural disposition.
23. They polish their people and then place them with suitable #opportunities without wasting anyone's time.
24. An unequivocal quality of a leader is, that they are interested in the all-round development of their team, both personally and professionally.
25. Their attitude is, 'I shall take the first step to test the waters, face the brunt myself, then create a mould for you to explore and then stand aside cheering you, nurturing you and smoothening the edges.'
26. The Vision is the jewel-crest that adorns the crown of a true leader!

Are you a leader? or wish to step into the shoes of a leader? Then behold the truth, that it is not a seat of 'power' but a seat of 'responsibility.' Responsibilities that arise one after another like waves in an ocean. It is a seat of sacrifice; sacrifice of your own little self for the good of a larger interest, always.

Be not a leader. Rather, introspect if you truly are!