We are all leaders. Leaders of our destiny, families, jobs, social circles, and decisions.
It should be your moral obligation to be the best leader possible. The world needs leadership more than ever today. So many have been conditioned by society to default to lazy, being sheep, and technology addicted. In other words, an easy, comfortable life, with automated thinking is the default way many lead their lives.
But there’s a major misconception about leadership. It's not about superiority, authority, or control -- but instead, the power to inspire, lead, and serve. Being a leader is about having a vision for the creation of a better future, and embracing the journey that becoming a leader will bring.
Here are five major qualities of a good leader:
1) A Good Leader Sees Every Task To The End.
There's a powerful saying we all subscribe to here in Sweat Nation, and it's this:
How you do anything, is how you do everything. A good leader sets a vision, determines what needs to be done to achieve that vision, and executes until the end. Come what may. The big test is if you can stay committed to your vision when things go bad or not as expected (and as always, they do).
Will you admit defeat and retreat to your comfort zone of safety? Or will you continue pushing forward, despite the risk, with your eyes set on a greater reward. A true leader will set a vision, and follow through with it, despite all risks involved, and no matter what kind of adversity you will face.
2) A Good Leader Takes Risks
Anyone who plays it safe in life is not a leader, and will never experience a taste of ‘true success.' Living a life without risk, in the comfort zone, will trap you in mediocrity, apathy, and numb all your ambitions and lust for life. Depression anyone?
A weak leader will stand at the crossroads of life – paralyzed by the fear of failure.
I've mentioned this concept before:
Failure is awesome and a tool for growth – it’s something that will allow you to know yourself, your limits, your potential, and what you’re truly capable of in life. If you don’t take any risks, you will never make true progress in life. Embrace your failures with an open mind that's ready to learn and grow.
3) A Good Leader Shares Success
A true leader is ambitious and aggressive towards reaching the vision -- but is also humble and knows that success is not a solo effort. You must inspire others with your passion and vision because nobody can achieve something great alone. After all, who want's to celebrate alone?
You must be grateful for everyone who helps play a part in any success, and you must understand that people love to be recognized for their contributions – no matter how small.
4)A Leader Accepts Fault
A weak leader will take credit for success when the team succeeds but will blame others when things get tough. Blaming others will completely erode any confidence and loyalty your supports have in you. You must assume all of the responsibility for every consequence of every decision – even if you’re not truly at fault.
And lastly…
The greatest leaders in history have had moments of extreme success, and moments of a devastating defeat. It's about how you react to failure, or success, which makes for a great leader.
True leaders focus on what they can control:
How they react in the present moment. Dwelling on the past or feeling uncertain about the future will do nothing for a leader.
And this reminds me of a powerful lesson a mentor shared with me:
When times are good, they're never as good as you think. And when times are bad, they’re never as bad as you think. This has forced me to live “in the middle” – not getting carried away with my successes, and not letting the bad times make me feel less worthy.
Are you interested in developing your leadership skills?
I recommend reading up on the lives of some of the greatest leaders in history…
Here’s a shortlist:
Alexander The Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Jefferson, and Martin Luther King --- to name a few. Audible will be your best friend!
Track of The Day - My Hero - Foo fighters
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