Although, there are some leaders who are born “natural-born leaders” many must learn the skills to become a successful leader. Every leader has natural strong traits as well as weak areas that need improving. A leader becomes stronger while using their natural talents as well as building on their weaker ones.
A leader is not a super hero. They may be able to fix many problems, but they cannot fix them all. Some natural leaders may appear to be able to solve any issue. However, just as any other person, they have their own weaknesses. Just as superman was weak to kryptonite, some leaders may have shortcomings to public speaking, one on one communication, organization or hundreds of other weaknesses that could be catastrophic if put into the wrong situation. A leader who brushes up these weaknesses will be able to work through even the most trying conflict.
Leaders are characterized by their traits. These are sought by their followers. The followers look for honesty, integrity, compassion, drive, determination and a vast array of other traits, which set a leader out from the crowd. Being treated fairly and with empowerment can make admirers follow a leader into almost any situation.
A leader must know how to read and understand his or her constituents. It is important to remember one must treat others in the same manner that they would like to be treated. This golden nugget is a wealth of wonderful knowledge wrapped up in such a small sentence. Often, leaders will rise to the top and forget this time and tried excerpt. They may not forget it all the time, but do in critical situations where it could make a world of difference. Leaders can treat people with a higher respect just by following this little rule.
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...s how Jesus wants people to live. When we act as disciples and conduct ourselves as servant leaders it honors God. It may reflect onto others the good will God gave us and lead others to him. It also gives a great internal fulfillment to help others, not because we are getting something out of it but rather that it helped someone else.
Some leaders may be naturally born. For others, it may be skills that can be learned and polished. By using the strong talents that God gave us and working on the weaker ones that need improvement it is possible to increase leadership skills. No one will ever be the perfect leader. There will always be room for improvement. While improving “love” and “servant leadership” should be at the top of the list of skills to improve.
Works Cited
Hunter, J. C. (2012). The Servant. New York: Crown Business.
There are lot of theories and opinions about what makes a good leader. People who want to become a good leader not only have to have the will to take on the job, but they need to have certain traits and qualities that are characteristic of a good leader. The trait theory of leadership supports this claim that some people are endowed with certain characteristics that make them more capable of being a good leader than others. Many leaders and researchers have come up with certain traits that make people great leaders, whether it is being a leader in a business, organization or a leader of a sports team.
Becoming a leader is never an easy task. It is complex with rational decision making and accepting responsibility for those decisions. Being the leader, does not mean that you always make the best choice, but it does mean you learn and grow from all you experiences. Sometimes becoming a leader is not a choice, but a responsibility that you inherit. Leaders are not born, but are created through trial and error. A true leader cares for his subordinate and will always respect, listen, and mentor them, but a true leader will also discipline correct subordinates when needed. Sometimes a leader needs to depend on his faith and look to a higher power, so that he can make choices with guidance.
Leaders do not just appear out of thin air and automatically start making great things happen in the world. A leader must learn from prior leaders or role models that they are surrounded by that they look up to. Not everyone can be a leader, only some people have the correct characteristics it takes to lead others in the right direction. Those who do great things, for example volunteering at a homeless shelter, are not leaders. Many people mistake a “great person” as being a leader, which is completely incorrect (Kouzes and Posner, p. 3). While playing an active role in your community is a positive thing it does not make someone a leader of that community. All leaders have a group of people they have inspiration too and that is a good way of determining who your personal leaders are. My mother, brother, and grandfather are my leaders because I have always looked up to them and tried to mimic some of the great things that I have seen them do. My mother has always been an independent women with goals and an action plan to accomplish those set goals. Stephen, my elder brother, is outgoing and tends to have a leveled head when it comes to evaluating stressful situations. My grandfather is the most caring person I know and he is amazing at keeping situations under control in order to please everyone. These are all the qualities I want to combine into my own leadership style. I know I am not a efficient leader of these actions yet, but I plan on growing into this as I more on into my career, fulfill my set goals, and adjust to the curve-balls that life throws at me.
Leaders should lead by example. What a leader does and how they do it, serves as an example for others to follow. A leader’s behavior and actions are an important and effective way to influence the behavior of the people the lead. Leaders must treat other with dignity and respect. Leaders take responsibility for their actions, maintain their integrity by doing the right things and develop personable and commutative vision for their organizations. Leaders instill a sense of discipline; enforce organizational standards of the organization and do not turn a blind eye or overlook problems.
I believe that leadership is not something that you are born with, but that has to be learned over time. You learn to become a leader from watching other leaders, and also from personal experience. People should become leaders; so that they can help others do their best. They should not become leaders for the title and power that may come with leadership. Being a leader does not mean you get to boss people around by telling them what to do. The purpose of a leader is to guide others by encouraging, showing them the way, and by challenging them to do the best that they can do. I learned leadership through personal experience. In high school I played sports and had many class projects to do. My senior year was the first time my school had a soccer program, and I along with two other girls was captains. As we all know, when a group of girls come together, the drama comes too. All three of the captains had to work together and show the girls that if we wanted this program to be a success and grow, they had to work together as well. It was hard at first, but when we encouraged everyone, it worked out better than expected in the end. Also, in my business class, we had a lot of projects that were mostly group projects. During the end of the year, we had a project where we had to make up a new product. My partner and I were both seniors and it was a stressful time with finals, SAT scores, graduation, and trying to become honor graduates. We were tired and just did not want to do another project, but our teacher, Mr. Brace, did not give up on us. He showed us what to do, and encouraged us constantly every day. He would tell us many positive things and would check up on us. He was a great teacher and a great leader. Leadership may be one wo...
When people think of leadership so many things rush through their heads. For example am I a leader, am I apart of a group that has a leader, and what does being a leader mean? A common definition of being a leader is a person who leads or guides a group of people. So now knowing the definition of a leader who pops into your head; Phil Jackson, Mike Krzyzewski, Martin Luther King Jr.? All of these people are great leaders, but the real question is why are they so great? One very important thing that all these men have in common is they have a philosophy of leadership. This philosophy is going to help guide these men during turbulent times, or when they need guidance themselves. Nobody is perfect and everyone needs direction no matter how wise or gifted you are. I am no different, which is why writing this philosophy of leadership is going to be a fruitful experience for years to come.
Every Leader is defined by his or her qualities and characteristics. These can determine how effective a leader has become. This statement has been true throughout the history of mankind. However, there are only a handful of specific qualities that can truly determine if someone is an effective leader.
Since we are all born, the best answer to this question is: leaders are born and then made. A good leader is always moving forward; he never repeats the same thing! They strives to seek new experiences and they are in a constant self improving mode, that means he takes in information from a multitude of sources, including but not limited to his own interpretation of life experiences, observations, journals, website, informal training from an excellent mentor as well as from more formal training that is given in an academic setting.
Being a leader you need to be in tune with your talents, strength’s, and weaknesses. Personally I feel I have many skills and talents. I am a great friend, I’m trustworthy and dependable. I can step up to the plate if needed and I can take control of certain situations without being told to. I love writing and being able to express my feelings or thoughts through writing and poetry. Along with my talents and skills I also have weaknesses. Knowing your weaknesses is twice as important as knowing your strengths in my opinion. One weakness of mine is being motivated. Once I start a task I will finish it and put 150% effort into it, but actually starting the task is my problem. Another weakness of mine is change. I have a problem with drastic change; I have a comfort with familiarity. With every leader there is going to be strengths and weaknesses and I think it’s very
The leadership is a result of a combination of traits, with special emphasis on the personal qualities of the leader, which he should possess certain personality traits that would be special facilitators in leadership performance. This theory shows that leaders are born as such, there is no likelihood of 'making' them later with personal development techniques.
The leadership is a privilege and it is such a privilege and an honor which will carry the tremendous responsibility which will inspire others to direct them to accomplish goals and vision of the organization. Leadership is about influencing the people, by producing direction, purpose and motivating in order to accomplish the mission, vision and improving the organization. The leadership philosophy is evolved based on the experiences, both positive and negative, in most of the initiatives and activities that we undertake. It is also one among the collaboration and teamwork within which the team members can utilize each other’s strengths to counter the weaknesses of the individuals. By observing, introspecting and experimenting we can developed a leadership paradigm which is inclusive, collaborative and proactive. We can develop the ability to recognize which will approach in order to reach the productive conclusion. The great leaders know their limitations and are capable at utilize their strengths and also the strengths of others to compensate.
Do they develop leadership qualities as they go through life? Many years ago, people explained leadership using the Great Man Theory, which states that leaders are born with specific traits that make them distinct from the common man. However, this idea has shifted and people now say that leaders are not born, but that they are shaped through their environment. Therefore, it is unclear if leaders are born or if they are formed through experience.
When I hear a person in leadership apologize or confess their mistakes/wrongdoing, I often respect that person more, because they lowered their pride and got right with their followers. By accepting ambiguity, one realizes that they cannot control every issue in life. Also, accepting ambiguity makes a leader come to terms with the fact that he does not always have the best answer. Being open to other’s opinions shows the followers that the leader cares enough to listen and is humble enough to not insist on his own way. Humility is cultivated by admitting mistakes, accepting ambiguity, and being open to other’s
Throughout my life, my experiences and role models have shaped my understanding of leadership. I believe leadership is responsibly guiding and motivating others to use both my strengths and their own to obtain success. My personal leadership philosophy is guided by my core values of my family, relationships, loyalty, harmony, and responsibility. My ever-changing definition of philosophy helps my leadership and decision making routinely. New experience’s and external forces effect my translation of leadership daily which, in turn, helps shape me into a successful leader.
Throughout my life I have encountered the chance to experience position of being a leader. Being part of groups in university for class presentations, being the organizing secretary of my campus fellowship, being a youth leader in my church and the church admin, also being part of a family. Leaders are charismatic, inspirational and trust worthy. I have gained some important qualities of being a good leader through these experiences. Most of the valuable leadership’s characteristics that I obtained and strengthened are: learn to become a better leader every day, how to be a team player, to be a better listener, to be an effective communicator, to have more patience, not afraid of constructive criticism, to be outspoken, and to be a problem solver. Even though I have gained a lot, I still have more things to learn to become a better leader such as being more assertive, being more disciplined, becoming a better public speaker, and learn how to be realistic and not too optimistic. You are a leader if someone else choses to follow you.