What Is a Good Leader? PDF

What Is a Good Leader? A leader is someone who can influence or guide other people toward a shared goal. The goal might be to get a group job done, reach a mountaintop, or win a game. Leaders respond positively to adverse circumstances as well as to opportunities. They tap the qualities of their cha...

What Is a Good Leader? A leader is someone who can influence or guide other people toward a shared goal. The goal might be to get a group job done, reach a mountaintop, or win a game. Leaders respond positively to adverse circumstances as well as to opportunities. They tap the qualities of their character, personality, and attitude to respond to challenges in a positive manner. Good leaders lead by example. They don’t sit on the sidelines; they’re part of the action. They also realize that leadership is service to those whom they wish to influence. You might have heard the statement, “Leaders are made, not born.” In other words, becoming a leader takes work. No one hands you leadership on a silver platter. You must earn it. In this lesson you’ll learn about three of the most important traits leaders share and how these traits help leaders overcome serious difficulties. Perseverance in a Leader Remember Aesop’s fable about the tortoise and the hare? The slow-moving tortoise won the race because it never gave up. The fast-moving hare took too many breaks. The tortoise persevered. Perseverance is the quality of being determined and steadfast, never giving up or straying from your goal. If you persevere, you’re not a quitter. Leaders with perseverance set their minds on a task or an objective and then work until they’ve achieved it. People who persevere are tenacious, which means they hold on even after others let go. Have you ever watched a tug-of-war, or been part of one? The size, strength, and number of the two teams’ members might be evenly matched. But which side usually wins? It’s the one that keeps pulling and holding on until the other side gives up. It’s the same with a close basketball or soccer game. The winning team is relentless: It pushes just a little further than its opponent. Perseverance is important for a leader because it has a positive effect on the morale of team members or followers. Morale is a mental and emotional state of enthusiasm, confi dence, and loyalty in team members and followers. A team with high morale values perseverance. You can spot people with perseverance by watching their actions. Some actions associated with it include the following: • Setting clear, achievable goals • Devising a plan to reach each goal • Working with others steadily to reach the goal • Never making excuses or dodging a task • Never quitting before the team or individual reaches the goal • Accepting the fact that the task will be difficult • Encouraging others to keep going when morale falters • Recognizing everyone’s effort and accomplishment when the goal is achieved Courage in a Leader Courage is the mental and moral strength to withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. But you might say that every run-of-the-mill superhero has those qualities. Isn’t courage more than that? Someone once said that courage isn’t the lack of fear; it’s being able to hang on a minute longer than everyone else. So you can see that courage and perseverance work hand in hand. Courageous people are afraid too, but they keep going. History is full of stories about people who became admired leaders because of their courage. How can you identify a courageous leader? Look for actions such as these: • Keeping your head while other people seem to be losing theirs • Maintaining a steady eye on the goal or objective • Being willing to sacrifice for the welfare of others • Being able to withstand suffering or difficulty • Standing up for what’s right • Leading by example • Accepting challenges that build your self-confidence • Keeping a positive attitude in the face of difficulties In an emergency or a crisis, courageous people act. They do the right thing: rescuing, fighting back, protecting. That’s mental courage. In the face of adverse situations and events, courageous people also step up and let others know what’s right and what’s wrong. That’s moral courage. Patience in a Leader A third characteristic of a good leader is patience. Patience, as you have learned, is the ability to bear difficulty, delay, frustration, or pain without complaint. Patience does not mean you ignore your problems or just hope they’ll go away. Patient leaders aren’t passive, slow-witted, or “out to lunch.” Patience is an active trait. A patient person keeps trying, despite the frustration. Patience means calmly and quietly bearing up under challenging circumstances. Some actions associated with patience include the following: • Putting the needs of others before your own • Encouraging others to remain calm and focused in a crisis • Choosing to do the right thing, even when the wrong thing is easier • Accepting people’s flaws and faults • Accepting criticism with grace and confidence • Continuing calmly and quietly to do your job • Keeping your eye on the goal at all times • Remaining steadfast in the face of adversity • Being willing to wait for as long as it takes to succeed