Who is a leader?

From the origin of first recorded civilization to the world we see now and into the future, some sort of governance is essential for its operation. From the tiniest germ to the ever expanding universe there is an interlocking system of governance surrounding them. Endowed with the power of reasoning, human species also cannot escape from some sort of authority. All leaders are made as they have some sort of code for living.

The nations of the world have some form of government. From the family unit to national level mankind generally need to be led. The followers are followers because it takes some special behaviors to attain leadership. Leadership is a skill that can be learned. However, not many want to take the role. It has its own darker sides. The pain sometimes is excruciating as the result will be looked upon from hindsight.

There are great leaders throughout history. They have some of the following common traits you can adopt. That is if you want to become a leader. Who is a leader?

He who keep the eyes on the horizon

A leader is a person who never forgets his destination. He is a visionary. He knows where he wants to go. He has a targeted goal. The goal is a burning feeling in him to achieve something. They want to reach new heights in life. They look for opportunity.

In whatever field you place a leader he always looks for the ambit of success in that field. It is because it is his nature to do so. They are inquisitive in nature but objective in life. As mentioned a born leader has a natural instinct to do something better than the accepted way. He looks for a ‘way out’ from the impermanence shell of complacency or norm.

You pick any leader in history or current affair; you will see there is something special about in him or her. They keep their eyes on the horizon.

“Leaders keep their eyes on the horizon, not just on the bottom line.”  (Warren G. Bennis)

First thing first

Leaders after deciding on what to reach for, draw out a list on how to reach the new height or goal. The list is either written or just remains in their minds.

However, they know what is the top most things they need to do first. They know exactly what to do first and they do it.

In sales for example, the important thing to do is to promote your product or service. Even if you have a good product, people need to know about this product. How are you going to reach them? What mode of advertisement you are going to do to get your product to the market? They systematically list out all the things they want to do. They discipline themselves to do it accordingly. They are the leaders.

Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.
Stephen Covey 

He who has responsibility

Leaders are easily identifiable. You can track them by the way they move things. If a job is given to them they take it very personally and pursue it with excellence. They are willing to give much responsibility as they know that if they break it will affect the entire system tremendously.

In the minds they play a worst scenario and cover every angle they could and carry out a mind mapping to the finishing line. They go for a perfect job and a happy ending. If they aren’t to the match they will say ‘I will try’ but ‘no promise’. They know that they have to pay a heavy price for the job in question. It is this truthfulness and sincerity in their words that make them truly responsible in whatever they carry out.

The price of leadership is responsibilty.”  (Sir Winston Churchill, 1874-1965)

He who blends with team

A leader is a person who mixes well in a team. He proposes of some agenda but works for everyone participation. The talents in each individual are unique by nature.

An excellent institution is made up of good and capable teachers. However, each teacher has their own ability in certain subjects. The principal realising this mixes with all the teachers and poach their ideas for the betterment of a student’s grade. He or she will catch up with the entire team. A leader will always keep in touch with the team.  

“There they go. I must run and catch up with them, because I am their leader!”  (Mohandas Gandhi)

He who motivates

A leader who never motivates a team can never lead.

In any organisation, the managing director must motivate his staff to do better so that they will enjoy good bonus and salary increase. A tour to all Europe is good tactic for company staff to get motivated in their job.

Motivation has to be on the beneficial side of the listeners.

“In motivating people, you’ve got to engage their minds and their hearts. I motivate people, I hope, by example — and perhaps by excitement, by having productive ideas to make others feel involved.”  (Keith Rupert Murdoch, media mogul, 1931-)

He who is innovative

A leader makes the problem looks interesting. A hand carried radio was an interesting problem to Sony. Sony created the Walkman and made it famous.Ipad was an innovative solution between a desktop and a laptop. It is very comfortable to carry around.

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower –Steve Jobs

He makes decision

A leader will not make a bad decision. A leader knows what to do and when to do. He has this basic instinct of making the right move. His intuition is very clear and he knows what he is doing at every step.

His decision is based on other point of view. In management, other point of view is very important in decision making.

Making good decisions is a crucial skill at every level-Peter DruckerHe makes changes

A leader establishes a system of personal development. He makes changes to the company where every staff gets to benefit by this change.

The Singapore story is unique. From a village it transforms to a world class city within a period of 50 years is attributed to one leader – that is Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Singaporeans have houses as asset, jobs to generate income, and a comfortable life.
The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.
Henry A. Kissinger

If you are given a chance to vote for a leader ensure that he has all these qualities.