4 Characteristics Of A Leader

By no stretch of the imagination do I claim to be an expert on leadership. So I write this post humbly, drawing from what I've noticed in my own life as I have influenced people and from what I notice about others whom I gladly follow.

courtesy ubalt.edu

1. An insatiable thirst for learning. Leaders read. And study. And are critical thinkers. They stretch the limits and spawn new and innovative ideas. They are consumers of information - both theoretical and empirical. The leaders I know feel empty and unsatisfied if they aren't constantly gleaning new ideas and expanding their mind.

2. A willingness to try new things. All of that learning inevitably leads them to try to new things. Inherent in this willingness is a willingness to fail, to die. It might not work, they say; But just imagine the results if it does! Often, people will think leaders are crazy or wasting their time and resources. But, it is exactly this pioneer spirit that draws followers to them.

3. Humility. When I hear someone talk about how wonderful they are (in whatever capacity), I almost immediately write them off. But humility is powerful and enticing. Leaders are confident in their abilities, but do not gloat in themselves. They think highly of themselves, but not too highly. They know they can succeed, but also know they can (and in many cases have) fail.

OK, so leaders don't actually put
people in catapults.

4. Working for the success of others. Leaders want those whom they are mentoring to excel, even beyond what they have achieved. They recognize that they will only go so far. So they pour into another person, hoping s/he might take what is learned and use it as a catapult to reach new heights. And when they do, the leader stands in the shadows, smiling and applauding.



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