Napoleon Hill showed us that there are leaders and there are followers; this we know. But what makes a leader?
The Major Attributes Of Leadership
The following are important factors of leadership:
1. Unwavering courage based on knowledge of self, and of your occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader for very long.
2. Self-Control. The person who cannot control him- or herself can never control others. Self-control sets a high example for a leader’s followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.
3. A keen sense of justice. Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the respect of his followers.
4. Definiteness of Decision. The person who wavers in his or her decisions shows that he or she is not sure of him- or herself. He/she cannot lead others successfully.
5. Definiteness of plans. The successful leader must plan his (her) work, and work his plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is like a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later he will land on the rocks.
6. The habit of doing more than paid for. One of the penalties of leadership is having to do more than what is required of followers under the position of leadership.
7. A pleasing personality. A slovenly, careless person cannot become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade high on all of the factors of a Pleasing Personality.
8. Sympathy and understanding. The successful leader must be able to sympathize with his or her followers. He or she must understand them and their problems.
9. Mastering details. Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leader’s position.
10. Willingness to assume full responsibility. The successful leader must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of followers. If a leader tries to shift this responsibility, he or she will not remain the leader. If a follower makes a mistake, and shows him- or herself incompetent, the leader must consider that it is he (or she) who failed.
11. Cooperation. The successful leader must understand, and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.
Are You A Leader?
Like Napoleon Hill you may not think of yourself as a leader, but to someone you are. As you absorb the characteristics of the wealthy and successful, that role will grow to more meaningful and important heights. Keep this in mind, because someone, somewhere is watching you, and your success could be having a much larger impact than you think.
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
Aussie Internet Marketer © 2004 – 2009
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
G’day Sean,
That’s a great description of you, Yang and all the team. Thankyou all for your help
Cheers
Harry
Thanks, Harry
I fully agree with Harry. These qualities are reflected in the YOTA forum on a daily basis. And that is due to Sean’s qualities and his determination to pass on his knowledge. Tks
Renee´s last blog ..Motivational Music
P.S.
These qualities apply to being a bandleader too.
Cheers
Harry
Especially a Jazz Band
I can tell you for a fact that many so called “leaders” do not show these attributes.
But yes, whether you call it being a leader or a role-model there is always someone that looks onto you in some-way, shape or form. Kids are a great example – you are their leader and role-model.
Cemil´s last blog ..Sean Rasmussen’s Year Of The Affiliate Review
Absolutely, and your kids will be even more honest with you about how you are doing as their leader too!
Lisa´s last blog ..Sign Language for Babies
Hi Sean, Having leadership qualities…sounds good. It would be rewarding to have the skills to lead someone to financial success….does hold a lot of responsibility also.
Most likely, a leadership situation is impossible to asses until it arose. Being the eldest in a family of 6 children could most likely be considered having early training at developing leadership qualities.
Hi Jill,
It sounds to me as if you’re a natural born leader. The eldest child normally is and maybe more so with that many siblings. I agree that there’s a lot of responsibility when you’re a leader.
But, I’m sure that you would take the job seriously and do your absolute best.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Sean Rasmussen – Aussie Internet Marketer Making a Difference
Wow that’s a lot of things a leader needs to have. What a lot of people forget when they become the boss is that while they can call the shots and direct their employees, it does not automatically make them a leader. Many a time I’ve seen bosses who though they were leaders. They made other peoples lives a misery while they went off on their ego trip. I wonder why they feel the need to be that way?
Hi Ray
To give you my thoughts in the question you raise, they’re lacking a few of the qualities on the list here, and number 1 is one of them. To have unwavering courage, one has to be secure within themselves. A person, who is the way you describe, isn’t secure because it shows in the way they treat others. They also don’t lead with the ego, they lead from a much higher place than that.
Lina
Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..How to make comments online and build your online persona
Hi Ray,
I agree with Lina. If they are the way you described it is most likely because of insecurity and fear, even so I guess they would never agree. But I can’t see another (real) reason to mistreat others then being worried that otherwise you would be the loser. So it is missing self-confidence and no trust in their own qualities.
Renee´s last blog ..Who’s the boss – start taking control
Hi Sean
Wow, that list is very confronting indeed. It requires the highest level of character, certainty and purpose. It’s no wonder it takes a very special person to be a true leader.
Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..How to make comments online and build your online persona
Gosh to be a leader is a tall list. But then really its a quality that we should all be displaying every day in small ways. As a parent, as a sister, as a daughter, as a son, as brother, as grandchild, even when we are part of a team (not the leader as yet) we should look for ways to be proud of our own behaviour.
If from 10 years from now we could look back and be proud of all that we have achieved, and the way we carried ourselves in different situations – then you are holding true to yourself, and following the path of qualities that are looked up to. Remember to smile, no matter the situation is, because smiling always brightens the day – its also a great way to connect with others. A smile is so very powerful, along with dedication, courage, self control, willing to help others, truthful, well laid plains, a willing ear and so many of the other great points you had. They are necessary Attributes of a FANTASTIC leader
Lisa Wood´s last blog ..Searching For Gratitude Rocks
Hi Sean,
That’s an amazing list of qualities that a leader must have. I think I have a lot to learn before I can call myself a good leader. But, I agree with Harry.
I think you are an excellent example of what a leader should be, so I’ll be watching you closely for some tips.:)
Being humble and recognizing your ability to lead when necessary are two great factors that you seem to have already. Once a leader stops learning how to lead they are merely blending in and begin lacking the qualities needed to properly lead and follow.
Sarah Butland´s last blog ..You Are the Reason I Know It Will Happen
Hi Sarah,
Thank-you for your kind words. I can only hope to live up to them. Thankfully, I feel I’m in the right place to learn as Sean is one of the best leaders I’ve ever seen.
Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Finding Your Passion
Hi Sean,
Would be interesting to develop a game so kids could learn this qualities easily and develop these habits at an early age.
a great list of leadership qualities. I don’t think that they get trained with todays computer games
Renee´s last blog ..Motivational Music
We shouldn’t use computer games to teach our children as there are too many games out there “teaching” violence already. It’s up to us, the leaders of today, to pass on as many leadership qualities as we can and recognize those doing a good job for it.
Sarah Butland´s last blog ..You Are the Reason I Know It Will Happen