Leadership

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course is designed to help you understand the values of being a leader.

Objective: Attempt to become more of a leader.

Very few people understand the difference between leadership and management, and even for those that do, most people still will not be good leaders.

We have identified five key leadership traits that are often overlooked to the detriment of the organization and the individual who is attempting to lead it.

1. Leaders command respect.

R. C. Samsel said, "Character is the firm foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect. Just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character." So in order for leaders to be respected and followed, they must be persons of strong character.

2. Leaders must care for their organizations.

A leader does not care only about themselves, but they care about their organization and the people in it. They understand that each member of the team is essential and treat them in a manner that proves it. By caring about their employees, they make the team productive and dynamic.

3. Leaders are committed.

If you are at the head of an organization and are trying to lead, you had better believe in your company more than anyone else in the world. That commitment should translate into you being willing to do what no one else will do.

4. Leaders inspire others.

A good leader has confidence in himself, in his ideas and vision and can inspire others with this confidence. Leaders know where they going in life and prove it with action. Men like Ronald Reagan and FDR, and women like Margaret Thatcher had big ideas and made bold moves to accomplish them. They inspired many people to support their ideas and affect change.

5. Leaders communicate exceptionally well.

Communicating clearly and passionately the vision for an organization is one of the many differences between leaders and everyone else. Their communication skills help others to be inspired by their ideas.

Leaders also understand that it is necessary to communicate good and bad information to the company employees in the right way. Ignoring bad information or not telling employees about bumps in the road is not the trait of a leader. Good leaders also listen to both good and bad information so they can make appropriate decisions for the company.