You have the Torch
The subject of what makes up good leadership skills is a topic of great interest. People have been pondering what makes a good leader and a bad leader likely before written history. Great minds throughout history have given great attention to determining what makes one leader an exceptional one and another leader a poor one. In part, this is an issue of perspective, of course, and one’s own political and social biases. However, there are some general points that most people would agree upon regarding what constitutes strong leadership skills.
Listening to those around you is often a skill that is pointed to when discussing what it takes to be a good leader. Those who think they “know it all” are always wrong. In fact, this type of thinking can often do more harm than good. The world is becoming increasingly complex, and that means that savvy leaders will listen to those around them who have specialized knowledge. No one can know everything about every topic. Thus, a good leader is one that will find smart people who are experts in their given fields. The leader will carefully listen to their respective opinions and treat them with respect. If a leader is failing to do this, whether it is in a small business, a massive corporate or a nation, well, you’re in trouble! Good leadership means listening.
Without vision there is no leadership. In order to be effective, a leader must be leading somewhere. After all, leading is kind of implied in the term “leader.” Being a good leader also means that one has a vision of what the future should be like and has at least some basic idea of how to get there. Think of it this way, if you were lost, would you really want to follow the person that says, “Follow me, I don’t really know how to get us back to civilization but I should be leader”? Obviously, you shouldn’t listen to this person. Leaders need to know where they are going. Leaders that people remember are also leaders that don’t give up easily. A real leader is one that can overcome obstacles and find ways around problems when they arise. Imagine that you were following a leader while lost in the woods and you came to a river. What if your leader said, “Oh no it’s a river! We are all doomed”? Clearly, in this situation, you need a new leader.
Leaders are able to find ways to get things done and solve problems. This is, of course, intimately tied to being persistent. For without persistence, there is no way that anyone could overcome the obstacles of life. Leaders also need to be able to clearly communicate their thoughts and ideas to others. While the topic of leadership, leadership skills and what makes a good leader might be complex; there are some commonsense elements that are undeniable. Good leaders are smart enough to listen to others and will find ways to overcome obstacles and get things done.
Listening to those around you is often a skill that is pointed to when discussing what it takes to be a good leader. Those who think they “know it all” are always wrong. In fact, this type of thinking can often do more harm than good. The world is becoming increasingly complex, and that means that savvy leaders will listen to those around them who have specialized knowledge. No one can know everything about every topic. Thus, a good leader is one that will find smart people who are experts in their given fields. The leader will carefully listen to their respective opinions and treat them with respect. If a leader is failing to do this, whether it is in a small business, a massive corporate or a nation, well, you’re in trouble! Good leadership means listening.
Without vision there is no leadership. In order to be effective, a leader must be leading somewhere. After all, leading is kind of implied in the term “leader.” Being a good leader also means that one has a vision of what the future should be like and has at least some basic idea of how to get there. Think of it this way, if you were lost, would you really want to follow the person that says, “Follow me, I don’t really know how to get us back to civilization but I should be leader”? Obviously, you shouldn’t listen to this person. Leaders need to know where they are going. Leaders that people remember are also leaders that don’t give up easily. A real leader is one that can overcome obstacles and find ways around problems when they arise. Imagine that you were following a leader while lost in the woods and you came to a river. What if your leader said, “Oh no it’s a river! We are all doomed”? Clearly, in this situation, you need a new leader.
Leaders are able to find ways to get things done and solve problems. This is, of course, intimately tied to being persistent. For without persistence, there is no way that anyone could overcome the obstacles of life. Leaders also need to be able to clearly communicate their thoughts and ideas to others. While the topic of leadership, leadership skills and what makes a good leader might be complex; there are some commonsense elements that are undeniable. Good leaders are smart enough to listen to others and will find ways to overcome obstacles and get things done.
