You can like people without leading them, but you cannot lead people without liking them.
When in need, people reach those that they trust, those that are not detached but fully involved.
Life demands us to be ready for everything it gives us.
Developing yourself is the start of being a good leader. The level of development you bring to yourself can shape your leadership traits and how you use them. Only after a fully reached potential of a human being can you come with that uniqueness and sophistication that a leader needs.
Having the leadership traits developed does not necessarily mean that you have to be a leader to people or for people. First of all, it means that you are a leader of yourself. And what better way to be a leader (if you wish to) of someone else if not by starting with yourself?
The Leader programs that some high school offers help students reach their potential and understand a leader’s values. However, until one gets to understand his leadership potential, one has to know what leadership is.
Leadership meaning
Leadership is the ability to guide your own life and that of others. It also means the capacity to influence others’ decisions and provide them with the necessary tools to achieve their goals.
Just like former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”
There are some important skills a leader should have and these are:
Influencing skills – help you motivate people
Learning skills – help you learn from others, process information correctly
Facilitating skills – a great way to recognize potential and build alliances
Creative skills – the needed skill to inspire and empower
Is there such thing as a “good leader”?
Like everything saying that someone is a “good leader” is a subjective thing; however, it is essential to know that inspiring others is a must as a leader. This is the smooth way to make others work and succeed in achieving the end goal – by being inspired by your actions and thus motivated to work towards your vision. They will achieve your vision as yours is theirs already.
Your actions and ability to take steps towards your own life and afterward expect to be a model for others is a great way to recognize a good leader.
The summary of a good leader can be that he is the one that sees opportunities for improvement and leads others in the right direction.
Identifying the strengths of a leader
There are many strengths that a leader can possess, but the below are some of the most important ones, the ones that one can build upon.
Compassion
This is a trait that every person, not just a leader, needs. However, being a leader, you need this trait, and it will help you be thoughtful towards the colleagues in need and put them at ease whenever they are in a challenging situation. Empathy together with compassion will allow you to take a step back in every case and put yourself in the other’s shoes and then make a decision.
Perspective
This helps leaders see good things with appreciation and give thanks to those that do a good job. Their view of the future is positive, and they strive to succeed in whatever purpose they have.
Balance
It is not about themselves; it is about the team. This is why leaders that possess this strength–balance know that every person makes a mistake and gives them a second chance. They act after a through, thinking the situation through. They do not show preferences towards a particular person and a lack of understanding of another.
Determination
No matter the task, they can take it through to the end and are not distracted. The energy and excitement they put in every work are at a high level.
Discovery
They are always eager to find out new and improved ways of doing things. They are always up for learning and open-minded to discoveries.
How to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the leader in you
Getting to know the strengths and weaknesses you have as a person, as a leader will help you shape to become a better person and leader. There are many opportunities for this, but one can also create opportunities to see how they manage situations.
Personal qualities are the foundations of how we behave as leaders. If we know our strengths and limitations, we can improve and develop a better leadership style.
See if you
Can handle the pressure of being in charge
Are eager to take the initiative and speak up if something does not go as it should
Can work smart – this does not mean working hard or taking upon a task that you do not know about, and it means being ready to say yes to challenges and being strong enough to say no when you can’t take on another task or do not know how to do something.
Have a deeper understanding of people’s personalities. Each person is different, and you have to make them feel comfortable with you by understanding their needs.
Have complete confidence in your skills
Are open-minded and ready to listen to what everyone has to say to take decisions only after analyzing the context.
Can keep a positive attitude no matter what. It will help people around you have a good mood and work effectively.
Improve your weaknesses
Do not wait for others to teach you or show you what is wrong. We all have the capacity to discerning good from bad, and as far as a good leader concerns, make sure you take your time and improve your
Some weaknesses a leader can have and how to work towards improving them:
Being too critical
It is a direct way to affect the employee’s performance and productivity. A constant criticism without offering constructive feedback will make your team disrespect you and even start looking for another job.
Providing ineffective feedback
Constructive feedback where each team member knows what they do well and can improve is always well – received. However, without it, they may feel unmotivated.
Standing apart from the team
If you do not show care towards your team members, you will seem arrogant and not interested in their opinions. People will no longer trust and listen to you.
Failing to set clear goals
Unclear goals will misalign the work and confuse the team regarding which direction to take.
Identifying the weaknesses will help one improve. And one of the first steps to this is to listen to the team – they know best as they are directly working with you.
Can a leadership program help you?
Leadership skills can be learned, and leaders can evolve.
We are all born with traits that will help us lead our own life. In time, with education and experience, these traits develop. Some of them develop more on people, while others less.
A leadership program can help you develop your leadership traits and teach you to become a good leader. Despite already having leadership skills developing them in the right direction will be a plus.
Leader in Me program
This is an excellent program for students to discover and grow the Leader in Me. They will get the chance to see the core paradigms, do highly effective practices, and get measurable results. It is a great program that addresses social-emotional needs, college, and career readiness, and strong leadership culture.
They will learn that everyone can be a leader and that change starts with and within oneself. While educators can play a role in showing them what a leader means, students will partner with their families and friends to develop a whole leader.
Besides a leadership style, to form a good leader, one needs a strong culture and access to an academic program that will show how important team and individual goals are. Leader in Me program will help children find their voice and successfully navigate through college, career, and life.
Conclusion
A good leader needs to develop leadership traits and know and improve their weaknesses. This is one of the main things to keep under control as a leader.
Working towards your self–awareness, self–control, self-confidence, – self – knowledge, personal reflection, and resilience is the basis of a good leader.
