What Make a Great Leader?

Leadership can be defined as one's ability to get others to willingly follow. Every organization needs leaders at every level. A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. A leader must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately, as passion is contagious. A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity. Honest dealings, predictable reactions, well-controlled emotions, and an absence of tantrums and harsh outbursts are all signs of integrity. A leader who is centered in integrity will be more approachable by followers. Openness means being able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Creativity is the ability to think differently, to get outside of the box that constrains solutions. Fairness means dealing with others consistently and justly. A leader must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. A leader must be assertive to get the desired results. Along with assertiveness comes the responsibility to clearly understand what followers expect from their leader. A sense of humor is vital to relieve tension and boredom, as well as to defuse hostility. Intrinsic traits such as intelligence, good looks, height and so on are not necessary to become a leader. Anyone can cultivate the proper leadership