Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What makes you a good leader?

Quite often, I wonder why one manager is different from the other. Why one leader is different from the other.. Why one politician is different from the other... What ever may be the differences in the ways of handling things, there are quite a very proven concepts that make the best of leaders in the world. Right from a class leader, a school pupil leader, a district collector, a state governor, a minister, or a National leader, or a manager, regional head, country head or global head, there are few things that go with each of the leaders!
1. Leaders are born, they are not made! It is an innate quality that exemplifies a person's approach to circumstances and people, that make them leaders.
2. People who can set examples. Remember someone is watching you always, and when these some one's become multiple and people follow you, you become a leader
3. Some one to look upon- When there is a roadblock, and people need guidance, solace, results and revised paths, and if you could lead them to newer dimensions, you become a choice to be a leader, not by yourself, but by others.
4. Delegation of authority- It is important that you trust your subordinates, and provide them support to grow. As each one them takes one step of growth, you grow by the number of people who grows in your team. But remember, responsibility to be assigned with required authority for a job to be executed perfectly
5. Team Work- Its always WE and never "me". Especially when you are leader, you set an example..one classic theory is that a leader will stand in front when bullets are fired and stand behind the team while lifting the trophies. Dr Kalam, talks about this at length about Vikram Sarabai and his leadership in his Ignited Minds
6. Exceeding Expectations- Once you set a standard, a standard far above everyone in a group, it becomes a leader's standard and this is when you exceeds general expectations. A leader is supposed to keep up these expectations always.
7. Do not preach, but practice- Leaders who just do what they are expected are highly regarded, and mostly people follow for what they do than for what they say. When what is said and what is done is in sync, they become the most respected leaders.
8. Integrity and Respect - Sincerity, hard work, dedication,devotion to work assigned, commitment, timeliness, quality and perfection in work, transparency, appreciation and approachability are all closely watched by the people in the groups and a leader should be a role model. People automatically starts giving you more respect and take your word as final. Respect is never commanded, its given!
You want to be proven leader, see how many of the above traits you possess. Am sure all leaders will have most of these qualities in-built in them.