Some people are born leaders.
They automatically possess what it takes to be the “frontline man”. Their lives
set examples from very beginning. Born in a poor family, but a dignified one, at
the age of say, 10, got inspiration from… then a life changing incident that
became the reason they decide to do so and so.. Opposition from family or
society, etc... Struggling against all the dilemmas their lives offer them, they
grow to be the person, people like us follow.
Some individuals are destined to lead, but they are not the only ones to do.
Leadership is a skill that anyone can develop. It just takes few qualities and a
timely seizure of opportunity. Opportunity knocks doors of many, but there are
only a few who attend the knock. The opportunity however, is not as requisite as
developing those “few qualities”.
Not to rise, but to let rise, being the first one. A good leader has not the
desire to prove himself worthy of the lead, neither he craves appreciation. He
in fact, lets the led grow. Being always in the background, gets pleasure in
watching others advance.
Secondly, an ideal leader, leads by example. “You cannot expect your team to
rise above your example”, says Orrin Woodward, thus a leader first takes the
things to himself. He doesn’t dictate, but demonstrates.
Next is being just. A team loses its will to work towards a cause and finds all
energies going vain, when those deserving the same level of appreciation are
awarded differently. Lack of determination and willingness drives the vims in
opposite direction, causing a total loss. In severe cases there is even a
possibility of revolt against the leadership.
A leader’s success is clearly reflected in the quality of team he develops. Team
building is therefore another important attribute of an effective leadership. A
group of people grow as a team either under excellent leadership or in complete
absence of the same. Whatever way the leader selects, he must unite the mates
and make them forget their differences while working towards the cause as, “a
boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way”.
Next is taking the blame to one’s own self and distributing the credit. A team
when it notices the leader taking ownership of other’s faults and instead of
punishing the faulty, searching for a solution, there develops a feeling of
goodwill. The team then on tries not to embarrass their leader.
Lastly, there is a trait every prodigious leader possesses, but it’s something
that comes from inside, that’s the ability to inspire. It’s a magical power that
changes peoples’ consent and molds them in any way necessary. Thus a good leader
is molder of consensus.
Often, in spite of possessing all necessary qualities, a person can fail as a
leader if, he doesn’t persevere, fears hardships or tends to quit. “A smooth sea
has never made a skillful sailor”, in fact what induces the best skills are the
worst to think of. “Keep going” should hence be the key.