Characteristics of a Leader

Leadership is the ability to inspire and influence a group of people to achieve worthwhile goals. A leader is one who can influence and inspire people to a far greater cause other than his own. To appreciate the value of leadership we must first know the characteristics of a leader, the traits a leader is generally made up of.

Characteristics of a leader

• Effective leaders initiate change and are great communicators
• Leaders connect with people and they have a positive attitude
• Leaders know and focus on what is important
• Leaders have a vision
• Leaders constantly learn & grow
• Leaders have character and integrity
• Leaders are committed to their ideals

Some thoughts on the communicating leader…

I believe that today the role of leadership has shifted and an even greater focus is on being able to communicate at all levels. The pervasive influence of ‘Twitter’, ‘Facebook’, ‘Linkedin’ and Internet blogs have increased the need and range of all forms of communications.

Whether you call yourself a leader, a manager, a coach, a parent, an administrator, or a president, your most important resource is your people.  The most crucial element of success (in reaching your goal) is your ability to influence, inspire, motivate and encourage your people.

From the past to the future

It is said that Walt Disney could squeeze out the creativity from the artists’ minds after they themselves believed that the ideas had dried up.  Walt Disney helped people go a step beyond, to make Fantasyland real.  Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau inspired a nation to action, with energy and vision to begin the journey to a true national Canadian identity.  Mother Theresa inspired us all by giving nourishment to the hearts of all people.  Martin Luther King Jr. spoke words that gave new magnitude to the way society looks at itself. US President Obama changed the course of US and world history, just by being elected.

These leaders had something in common.  They had the ability to move people to greater achievements, to appeal to the individual’s highest motives and to help everyone feel involved.  Their leadership skills are relevant in all roles where success depends on the ability to influence and motivate others to action.

Calling others to committed action

Those who have the talent to call others to committed action are often referred to as leaders or great communicators.  But they were not born leaders or communicators the day they entered the world.  No, as leaders they were born the day that they developed the knowledge to lead and learned the skills of presentation, communication and persuasion to inspire people to action.

To effectively reach, inspire and persuade the modern consumer, values-based communication and authenticity are essential. This consumer has unprecedented access to information and choices, they are different from any that preceded them, and they want it their way.

Ignoring change puts your business in peril

To ignore the trends of this modern employee and consumer (the way they think and their high level of awareness and discernment) can spell disaster for the leader, presenter and communicator. If ill-prepared for communicating with this audience, the presenter and leader will lack the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective.

The Disney’s, Mother Teresa’s, US President Obama and the others of this world do not have a monopoly on how to motivate and communicate.  These skills are learnable; this knowledge can bring new meaning to the life of a leader.

My personal belief is that leaders are ordinary people who discover their greatness, uniqueness and abilities while trying to overcome extraordinary challenges.