What are the qualities of leadership? What characteristics are needed to be a good leader? It doesn't matter what your job title is or whether you are in any position of leadership, leadership skills and qualities can come in very handy during many of the challenging situations that we face in life.
To be an effective leader, many positive attributes are required such as good communication skills, decision making ability, vision, flexibility, co-operation, congruency and trust. In this article, lets focus on the 2 most important ones, communication and decision making.
I. Great Communicator. Good communication is one of the most important characteristic of leadership. A good leader is able to communicate well not only with the people he is leading, but with external parties as well.
What does it mean to be a good communicator? It means knowing what to say, how to say it and when to say it. Effective leaders will say what is required. They don't sugarcoat their words, they don't try to be too nice and they never purposely show off their authority.
A good leader always encourages his followers. Where necessary, a good leader will criticize and reprimand. Where credit is due, he will give it. A good leader always listens to what his followers has to say and there is always two way communication.
2. Decision Making. Another important aspect of good leadership is the ability to make decisions and provide directions. A good decision maker is one that;
1. BE DETERMINED - Often times decisions made takes time before the result of it can be seen. A good decision maker must be determined to stick with a decision long enough and not change route or give up halfway through. 2. HAVE FLEXIBILITY - A good decision maker is also flexible in changing decision or directions when it is known that the original decision was not the right one. 3. TIMELY - The good decision maker does not spend too much time on analysis and consideration. No matter how tough, they are able to make the decision within the required time.
Sometimes it is not possible to have all the information to make a decision. Thus, often times instinctive judgment is needed. A good leader trusts his judgment and has the courage to use it. Courage to make decisions defines a good leader.
Developing these two attributes will bring you a long way towards becoming a great leader.
To be an effective leader, many positive attributes are required such as good communication skills, decision making ability, vision, flexibility, co-operation, congruency and trust. In this article, lets focus on the 2 most important ones, communication and decision making.
I. Great Communicator. Good communication is one of the most important characteristic of leadership. A good leader is able to communicate well not only with the people he is leading, but with external parties as well.
What does it mean to be a good communicator? It means knowing what to say, how to say it and when to say it. Effective leaders will say what is required. They don't sugarcoat their words, they don't try to be too nice and they never purposely show off their authority.
A good leader always encourages his followers. Where necessary, a good leader will criticize and reprimand. Where credit is due, he will give it. A good leader always listens to what his followers has to say and there is always two way communication.
2. Decision Making. Another important aspect of good leadership is the ability to make decisions and provide directions. A good decision maker is one that;
1. BE DETERMINED - Often times decisions made takes time before the result of it can be seen. A good decision maker must be determined to stick with a decision long enough and not change route or give up halfway through. 2. HAVE FLEXIBILITY - A good decision maker is also flexible in changing decision or directions when it is known that the original decision was not the right one. 3. TIMELY - The good decision maker does not spend too much time on analysis and consideration. No matter how tough, they are able to make the decision within the required time.
Sometimes it is not possible to have all the information to make a decision. Thus, often times instinctive judgment is needed. A good leader trusts his judgment and has the courage to use it. Courage to make decisions defines a good leader.
Developing these two attributes will bring you a long way towards becoming a great leader.
About the Author:
Author Ethan Beh is a business consultant and personal development enthusiast who has spent many years seeking, learning and practicing the best personal development techniques available. Visit his website for his collection of personal development ideas which includes leadership attributes.
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