What makes a true inner leader?
True leaders are assertive
True leaders are decisive
True leaders have integrity
True leaders encourage others
Ask yourself, do you have any of these qualities?
Most of us know what leadership is, but do we really know what it takes to become an effective leader?
There are many well-educated and motivated people who lack the skills and integrity to lead others. Most people don’t aspire to be bad leaders. They just don’t see the big picture. We assume that these people were not born to be true leaders.
That’s a shame, because we all need good leaders. Large corporations, small associations, and our favorite sports teams need good leaders. Even our parents should be good leaders or they run the risk of our families becoming dysfunctional. I think it is safe to assume that our success as a country depends solely on good leadership.
Many think that being a leader is prestigious. Many romanticize the title, but fail to see the hard work that actually goes on behind the scenes. The responsibility given to a leader can be enormous. Not only do you risk being publicly ridiculed, blamed, or criticized, but when the ship sinks, the blame falls on the Captain.
Many will wonder why anyone would take the responsibility of being a leader. Why would someone risk criticism and responsibility for the outcome through the work of others?
Sometimes situations arise that require a person to step up and take charge, either because of superior skill or simply because of their bravery. This is where the “Inner Leader” begins to develop. A true leader takes the first step and runs the risk of being ridiculed by his peers. A true leader steps up and says “I’ll do it” when no one else wants the job.
A true leader takes the proverbial “Bull by the horns” and is able to win the support of his followers to achieve a goal or goal. If this person cannot, then they will find themselves ineffective and therefore will fail in the responsibilities or goals they have set for themselves.
Like George Washington, a true leader must lead from the front, so come out front. Be assertive in your step and decisive in your decision making. Lead by example and be where the action is. Don’t sit in an air-conditioned office taking orders and call that leadership. Most people, in general, are lost and need direction. If they are given the option to follow someone with integrity, intelligence, and a likable personality to lead the way, they will most likely follow. If you are that someone, then by default you become their leader. No formal ceremony is necessary.
When you discover the inner leader, you discover a person who maintains absolute integrity. Leadership is a trust. If others don’t completely trust you, they won’t follow you. Instead, they will attempt to analyze each and every situation on their own, thus creating chaos and confusion in the process. If the environment they find themselves in is relatively stable, a less than ideal person for the job may be able to lead without much difficulty. But if your situation requires you to make real demands on others, at a time when it really counts, and they don’t trust you or don’t trust your leadership, they may be hesitant to support you. Then the lack of confidence will become apparent and can cause you to fail in your plans or goals.
A good leader is an excellent listener. Treat each and everyone you meet as equals and with respect. This doesn’t mean you have to agree and implement every suggestion, but by considering someone else’s opinion, you earn respect and your peers will know they have someone who cares. A good leader jumps into the trenches with his troops. If you don’t get your hands dirty and do the things you ask your subordinates to do, you’re already at a disadvantage. Leaders do everything they have to do to achieve the goal. You are never too important to do the smallest tasks. You will notice that great leaders surround themselves with solid managers. Being a great leader yourself, you would certainly only surround yourself with the brightest and most creative people.
These managers will carry out your orders and are the cogs that drive the entire machine.
Imagine, as it were, a wagon wheel on a cart. If one or two of the spokes are missing, the integrity of the wheels is in danger of collapsing. Would you trust a heavy load on a car with a broken wheel? Of course you wouldn’t. Without the spokes, the hub and axle are useless and the fruit does not reach the market. The same happens with people. Without a strong and assertive staff, the greatest leaders will ultimately fail to achieve their goals or those of the company for which they are employed.
A great leader is 100% committed to the goal. If you’re not 100 percent committed to your cause or goal, neither will your people. When they see a person who cares about the group and is willing to suffer the consequences of any risk taken, they will follow without hesitation. This is a sign of true leadership.
By demanding your best from yourself, your strongest critics will rarely have a single thing to complain about. All you can do is … give it your all. The rest is history.
When you encourage others to display their leadership qualities, you not only help them develop their own inner leader, but you also further develop your own leadership qualities. And that shows us. You will be rewarded many times over with your continued support, courage, and loyalty. When you, as a leader, are rewarded for a job well done, share in the rewards and give others the credit they deserve. If you do, they will want to do more and work harder to help you in any endeavor. Most people will always do their best for someone they admire and trust.
Abraham Lincoln best described it when he said, “You cannot develop character and courage by taking away a man’s independence and initiative.”
Here’s the number one reason letting things happen can be your letter from Trump. You get results. Ending accepted beliefs may not happen all at once. You will often fail. But keep trying. Fail forward, fail better. Never give up!
Expect positive results. Winners hope to win and losers hope to lose. Vincent Lombardi, one of the greatest soccer coaches of all time, said: “We never lose, but sometimes we run out of time.” You can expect positive results and still not get exactly what you want. But research has shown that those who “think positive” score more wins than losses, and generally better results than those who don’t.
