How to Be a Great Leader
A leader sets the tone for those around him or her. Inconsistency is a big turn off to people, who want to follow someone who can consistently be trusted. Authenticity draws others to imitate you, and a great leader shows genuine regard for his or her followers. He or she follows the Golden Rule, shows personal connection, and acknowledges people. This shows them that they are important.
To be a great leader, start by teaching junior team members the skills of leadership. Junior team members must learn to motivate others to help the team advance in achieving departmental or organizational goals. Leadership skills can be applied to contexts outside of work. In a family, community, or sphere of influence, it can play an integral role in leading an organization. So, don't be afraid to ask people about their leadership skills.
To be an authentic leader, you must live up to your beliefs. If you don't believe in the principles you preach, your followers will feel like they're being tricked. To be a great leader, live your authenticity every day and embody them in your daily life. This way, you will attract followers who will strive to imitate you. There are many ways to do this, but if you want to lead others to follow you, live as you believe.
A great leader has three or four big goals at a time. They are not afraid to reveal certain parts of themselves. They also use a powerful blend of observation and cognitive skills to reach their goals. In addition to these, they share their goals intensely and in a way that draws others to emulate them. By doing this, they encourage self-disclosure and promote accountability.
Be involved with your followers. Jesus gave his disciples important things to do that furthered their development. In contrast, other leaders have sought to do everything themselves. This method rarely results in growth for others. While ignoring people helps a task get done quickly, it doesn't encourage growth. To be an authentic leader, take time to involve your followers in your work. This way, your followers will be inspired to follow you and emulate you.
Be courageous. Lincoln is a famous example of courage. He spent 27 years in jail but never reneged on his cause and led a successful reconciliation effort. Courage is about taking the necessary steps to further a just cause. Jane Addams, for instance, was an unrelenting advocate for the poor. She took the cause of women suffrage and the rights of abused workers.