This post first appeared on 8/28/12.
10 Qualities of a Leader
John Maxwell has said that everything rises or falls on leadership. Leadership changes everything. There is no question of that in my mind. But what bothers me is the question: Am I a good leader? As stated in a previous post, there are leaders – both good and bad. Which am I? Well, going through some old notes, I found a list of ten qualities of a leader. Good qualities. Sadly, I don’t live up to all of them. I fail many times over. Yet, they are worthy of reading again and again. Something to shoot for.
So, what are these qualities? Here they are. But I caution the reader, read them with intentionality (the fact of being deliberate or on purpose).
Ask yourself as you read them, “Am I like that?” Or, “Is this a worthy item to pursue?” Or, even ask yourself if you think you have achieved any of these.
A leader must be able to take criticism. No person in a position of authority will be immune from it. One must learn to sort out the constructive, from which one can learn, and the malicious which one must ignore.
A leader must learn to stand adversity. Things will not always go well. Failures will happen. A good leader will bounce back.
A leader must be able to delegate authority. He, or she, must be able to give up power, to trust those under them.
A leader must make decisions. The person who cannot take a stand does not deserve to lead others.
A leader must be free from prejudices. “Prejudice,” someone once said, “is a luxury only little people can afford.”
A leader must learn to praise others, to share the credit, and to give credit where it is due. If he, or she, tries to take credit for everything, they will not lead, they will only frustrate those under them.
A leader must be able to concentrate under difficult conditions… to keep the goal constantly in mind, to keep his, or her, head when all about them are losing theirs.
A true leader will assume responsibility for their own mistakes.
A leader will not try to avoid responsibility for the mistakes of others.
A good leader will grow and learn. Stagnation is not leadership.
What are your thoughts about leadership? How many of these 10 qualities to you think you have? Are there others that you would add? I invited you to comment on this post.