Good Leadership Skills

What is common between Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Helen Keller, Michael Jordan, Steve Waugh, Pele and Martin Luther King? The answer is quite simple - all of them have been legendary leaders and trend-setters who were especially known for their good leadership skills.

So, what exactly is the definition of leadership? How would you explain leadership to a five-year old? Well, you could make use of a commonly-used definition which describes leadership as 'a virtue by means of which one is able to inspire a group of individuals into working progressively towards achieving a common goal'. Leadership is something that has often attracted quite a few debates. People are constantly found debating over whether leaders are essentially born or whether they can be made. I personally believe that it is a combination of both. I am of the opinion that some of the great leaders of the world were born with unquestionably good leadership skills in their blood, whereas a few others developed their own characteristic leadership qualities over time and through life's experiences.

We encounter leaders and leadership in almost every walk of life including politics, sport, career, society, spirituality, as well as in schools, colleges and even in our own homes. Leadership is a virtue that you must inevitably imbibe if you dream of success and of certain goals that you wish to achieve. So how do you go about making the transition from being a follower to becoming a leader? Read on to find out the answer to the above question.

What Makes a Good Leader?
Were all the great leaders of the world gifted with good leadership skills at birth? Not really. Many great leaders attribute their effective leadership skills to years of sheer hard work, persistence, determination and learning from one's mistakes and experiences. They all believe that a true leader is one who in times of adversity, rises to the occasion, steadies the ship and guides it forward along the right path. One thing I have observed with keen interest is the fact that regardless of their profession or career, all the renowned world leaders happen to share a somewhat common set of behavioral characteristics and qualities. This, in all probability, makes them the true leaders that they are. These great men and women epitomize leadership and after treating them as case-studies, I have come up with the following list of characteristics that define a good leader.

Characteristics of a Good Leader
Leaders who have tasted success have done so because of the following reasons:

• Confidence: This is one of the most important and probably the most visible characteristic of a true leader. I have always noticed that no matter what the degree of difficulty they find themselves in, strong leaders always have a sense of confidence and sureness about them. On a personal level, I have tried imbibing this aspect in my daily life and have found that it really works wonders! A super-confident leader can really make a world of difference.
• Communication: Another key characteristic of a good leader; clear and effective communication, is vital for a leader to be successful. Effective communication will ensure that his team thoroughly understands what is expected of them. This translates into appropriate actions which in turn lead to desired results.
• Man Management: A leader must be able to marshal the troops and manage his resources well. Leadership involves having a good sense of understanding between the leader and his team. Each person's views and opinions should be respected and each one's contribution should be acknowledged and appreciated. Being authoritative should not be confused with being dictatorial. A dictator may be a leader, but a leader is not a dictator.
• Decision Maker: Leadership often involves split second decision making. A good leader must think on his feet and should be capable of making quick and smart decisions whenever the need occurs.
• Lead by Example: A leader should always lead by example. Stepping up, shouldering responsibility and getting the job done when the chips are down, is the mark of a true leader.
• Risk Taker: Last but not the least, leadership does require one to take a few risks every now and then. Let me make it clear though, that by taking risks I do not mean being foolhardy and reckless. Risks, when taken, should be taken in a calculated manner and after careful evaluation of the circumstances. It requires good vision along with clarity of thought and action.

Always remember, not everyone is a born leader. Good leadership skills can be developed through hard work, determination and with experience. Developing good leadership skills plays an important part in the process of career development. As I sign off, I leave you with a great leadership quote by American author John Maxwell - "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way".