This article was last updated on September 5, 2017
Many prosperous and great countries were suchlike because there were led by strong personalities. The partials were so devoted to their headmen that they considered it an honor to die for them. Crowds followed their leaders, forced by fear of punishment and an appetite to stay alive. These tactics without a doubt work if you live in a castle and want to have people obey you. However, they are useless if your aim is to gather a real team in order to make this world a better place. To assemble a group of talented people you not only have to believe you can do anything, but also believe and persuade your people that they can do anything, too. And even better than you. To earn their respect and motivate them to follow you, you need to gain a lot of skills. Let’s start with the primary ones.
10 Qualities of a Leader Everyone Wants to Follow
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Confidence.
The only way to achieve your goal is to see it vividly and understand your final destination. Focus on the word vividly. It has the same significance for both the landing place and the way to get there. You need to prepare a well-though plan, and obviously plan B, and if the necessity occurs, C. You have to be completely sure it is possible to implement your intentions. The direction you chose has to be clear so your followers feel their participation is purposeful.
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Responsibility.
True leaders know they carry responsibility for both their deeds and thoughts. Since the leader’s thoughts and ideas sooner or later transform into someone’s deeds, they’re responsible for the consequences, too. Talented leaders don’t search for someone to blame when things go wrong. They’re wise enough to be in charge. They use logic, analyze the reasons, change the perspective if needed, and keep working. Their role doesn’t involve accusation. Their calling is to help others, not to give up.
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Positive attitude.
One of the essential skills of a good leader is positivity. It doesn’t mean they avoid meeting problems, or they don’t care. They do. Actually, they care more than anyone else. Still, they find inspiration to keep moving. Sometimes they go astray, but they always come back on track and take another try. Difficulties don’t frighten them. Leaders know their dreams are worth their efforts.
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Be an example.
If you’re a parent you’ll agree it is impossible to clarify to children the main differences between right and wrong. The only method that works is your own example. This is true for adults, too. Why? Because adults don’t exist. Just accept it—you and me—we’re all aged children. Grey-haired, weary, but experienced girls and boys. Thus, find a mentor within yourself. Act the way you want your followers to act. You expect them to find creative decision? Look for one yourself. You want them to be loyal? Be such to them. The rule is simple: like attracts like.
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Listen.
Leaders don’t hide. They are open to communication and interaction. They’re interested in their colleague’s lives, they talk to them, and listen. The simplest way to trim the sails to the wind is to be involved. Being a leader means you embrace the opportunity to meet your followers and listen to their suggestions. You have to be attentive to their opinions. And even if you have another one, show your respect and concern. Let them take part. Invite different people to your team. The diversity of opinions makes a huge difference. Appreciate it and be ready to reap the harvest.
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Be emotional.
Strategy and arguments are great tools if you want people to think of you as an experienced leader. However, there are other tools. And sometimes they impress your followers even more: feelings. Do not afraid to be emotional. People feel. They need to be understood and supported. Try to find something special in every of your followers. Get to know the things that make them unique. Become a part of their life. It is not awkward. It is sage. Build a solid ground for healthy relations in your team. Be honest and sincere. Feel.
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Say YES.
Sure, the habit to stand your ground is essential for a good leader. However, sometimes such approach can dissever. Next time you disapprove a decision your follower made, instead of arguing, try to look at the problem from their point of view. Show your fairness. Everyone makes mistakes. This is the way we learn and get experience. Try saying yes instead of no. Give your followers a second chance. Always.
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Change the perspective.
You’re certainly an intelligent, creative and hard-working individual. You deserve to be a leader. But you’re not the one who makes you a leader. Followers do. Trust them. Once, you’ve decided to invite them to your team, and they decided to join you must start trusting each other. Refresh them in mind as soon as you become impatient and jump to conclusions. Build your tiny world where all the followers will be appreciated. You couldn’t make it alone. Make sure they know your attitude.
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Level up. No matter what.
You made it! You’re the leader. Congratulations! Buy a bottle of champagne, celebrate it, and keep developing. Do you want your followers to improve their skills? Then show them how you do it. Even if you reached the highest level of professionalism in your area, there are a plenty of other areas you are amateur in. Take literature classes, learn new languages, start writing your book. Develop continuously. It is the only way to stay on top.
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Equality.
Dividing the people in your team by any status or characteristic may just be the most horrible mistake you could make. You are the cogs that make a machine work. If one of you break it stops. The good condition of your mechanism depends on each and every person in your team. Short and tall, young and old, managers and executors. You and your followers are equal. No exceptions. Leadership is a symbiosis. And there are no examples of the lone one. It’s a game for two. That’s the catch.
