| Undoubtedly, he's talking about the leader who | | | | Chances are you'll find most of your phrases in |
| walks the path which others fear to tread. So | | | | this list. |
| how are these people different from the | | | | - Honesty - That's a no-brainer. Unreliable behavior |
| ordinary? More importantly, do you have what it | | | | on your part will not win trust and respect. Never |
| takes to be a good leader? Read on. | | | | compromise your ethical standards. |
| First of all, let us define leadership so that | | | | - Proficiency - You can't expect to teach others if |
| everyone's on the same page. | | | | you don't know what you're talking about. |
| Leadership is the process by which a person | | | | - Vision - You need to be able to see ahead of |
| influences others to accomplish an objective. | | | | most and set goals for the future. |
| Leaders have vision which they share with others. | | | | - Inspiration - The best way to motivate others |
| It is the leader who binds the organization with | | | | to reach new heights is to teach them to believe |
| beliefs, values and knowledge. | | | | in themselves. |
| Having said all that, there is no single magic | | | | - Intelligence - So what if you're no Einstein! You |
| mantra. Different organizations, being influenced | | | | can learn from every situation, and from those |
| by their own set of circumstances, will necessarily | | | | who have a certain expertise which you might |
| differ in the way that they define leadership. | | | | lack. Observe, ask questions and imbibe - that's |
| What is important is to understand that leadership | | | | what true intelligence is all about. |
| is an art which can be mastered. It calls for you | | | | - Fair-mindedness - Playing favorites is a surefire |
| to raise your performance to higher standards | | | | way to failure as a leader. As a leader, it's much |
| and think outside your limitations. The basis of | | | | more important to be fair than be popular. |
| good leadership is character and the willingness to | | | | - Open-mindedness - Don't dismiss a new idea, |
| make sacrifices for the sake of the organization. | | | | just because it hasn't been tried out before. An |
| In short, it takes nerve! | | | | open-minded leader is an effective one. |
| Leaders, by definition, set examples for others to | | | | - Boldness - Leadership is not for the fainthearted. |
| follow. But before that happens, they will have to | | | | You must have the nerve to take calculated risks |
| prove their worth. Leaders are constantly being | | | | and with that the ability to stay confident and |
| observed by those who are expected to follow | | | | calm under stress. |
| and whose respect they must earn. For this | | | | - Imagination - Be creative in the way you set |
| reason, integrity and courage define leadership | | | | new goals, plans and methods. |
| better than any pompous statement! | | | | - Positive attitude - Do not think about failure |
| Leadership is that important element which | | | | before it actually arrives. And if it does, take it up |
| separates the extraordinary from the run of the | | | | as one more challenge. In the words of Thomas |
| mill. If you're seeking to become a strong leader, | | | | Edison, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. |
| you will have to show drive, energy, | | | | The most certain way to succeed is always to |
| determination, self-discipline, willpower, and spirit. | | | | try just one more time." |
| Only then will you be able to motivate others to | | | | - Courage of conviction - It takes courage to |
| overreach themselves. | | | | deviate from the trodden path. But think of the |
| At this point, you're probably thinking that anyone | | | | leaders you look up to. How many of them would |
| can define leadership, and it's easier said than | | | | be where they are if they hadn't backed their |
| done. We've got a slightly different take on this. | | | | instincts? |
| We believe everyone can improve their leadership | | | | If you pay close attention, you'll find that each of |
| skills, provided they work towards it. | | | | these can be broken down to a process. And |
| Not convinced yet? OK, let's play a simple game. | | | | anybody can follow one if they try hard enough. |
| Take a few minutes to write down the first ten | | | | Luckily for us, expert guidance is available in the |
| phrases which, according to you, best define | | | | form of books and other resources at and |
| leadership. Come back to the rest of this section | | | | walkthetalk .com. |
| after you're done. | | | | |