You’re a leader. You may have yet to accept that fact but the reality remains unchanged. How can I say that honestly without even knowing you? Because everyone leads. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, you lead in some fashion everyday.
Obviously the quality of leading differs from person to person. Some lead poorly, resorting to violence and intimidation, and others embrace the good of humanity to create a positive path of growth.
I sincerely believe that anyone can learn to become a great leader. Though it won’t come easy. Quality leadership takes time, requires, patience, determination, and passion. I’ve written a simple guide that I hope will help start you on becoming the leader you want to be.
Believe In What You Preach
If you’re passionate about what you talk about the more people are willing to take notice of what you have to say. Seems obvious right? Yet, I can’t tell you how many people pretend they care about something when it’s inherently obvious they could careless.
Ever notice how Everett Bogue is taking the minimalist movement by storm? It’s because he actually lives a minimalist life. Because of his leadership, hundreds of people are learning to let go of the materialism that binds them.
Having recently had coffee with Everett, I could tell he was the real deal. It seems others think so too.
If you want people to respect you for the leader you are, you sure as heck need to stand behind something you truly believe in.
Bring Out The Best
Good leaders have the uncanny ability to bring out the best in the people that believe in them. Why are some sports coaches able to create a champion team in less than a year? Because they find out what makes drives individuals on the team.
Quality leaders make people feel good about themselves because when people feel good about what they are capable of doing, they are more likely to get involved. Sometimes exceptional leadership calls for challenging people in uncomfortable ways, but it’s always about bringing out the best in everyone involved.
Tim Brownson, coauthor of How To Rich And Happy and kick ass life coach, knows that the more people believe in themselves, the better off the world will be. That’s why he’s so dedicated in helping less fortunate individuals discover the life that they never knew they could have.
Whether it be at work or at home there is always ways in which you can bring out the best in those around you. See a coworker struggling? Remind them how well they did last quarter. Family member feeling lost? Point them in a direction to help get them back on path. You don’t have have help a large group of people to make a difference, just the small few who need it. Small movements matter.
Listen
We all know the importance of listening. Yet it is a skill that many need to continue to work on (myself included.) Don’t go into a conversation thinking you know more, instead go into it as if you’re a student. By listening deeply you’ll be able to pick up some great ideas and discover what makes people move.
How do you think Gary Vaynerchuck has reached the point he is today? Do you think it’s because he was obsessed with himself? No, it’s because he puts the hours in to just listen. He’s famously known for his gigantic following on Twitter, and routinely responds to the thousands of people who comment him. Because of this, he has gained the respect of millions all over the world.
Without listening, leadership doesn’t exist, because without listening you’re just “that damn boss.” By listening you show that it’s not just about you and that you genuinely care about the good of all those involved.
By listening, you tell those who follow that you care. And people like knowing they are cared for.
Keep Your Word
Make a promise? Keep it. Tell someone you’ll help out? Make sure you don’t bail. Keeping your word though simple, has a huge impact on how people perceive you.
I’m sure you know of someone who constantly promises the world yet never shows up. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve been that person myself. Though I’m much more reliable than I use to be, I still have a ways to go, and that just shows that learning to be a good leader takes hard work.
One of the simplest ways to keep your word is to reduce the commitments you make. In an age in which we are meant to “over deliver”, it’s easy to commit to way to much. Instead of falling down that path, only partake in what you know you can do to the best of your ability. It’s OK to mess up every now and again, but fall back on your promises one to many times and you’ll suffer the consequences.
Lose The Title
Leading doesn’t require that you have a fancy title. Great leaders view themselves as everyone else. Don’t put yourself on a pedestal to be worshipped. Instead just show that you care.
Obviously with great leadership comes power, but letting power go to your head only hinders your ability to really lead. By losing the title you show it’s more about the idea than it is about you, which encourages people to believe and do their best.
Exceptional leadership brands itself. You don’t need to have a title to be known as someone who gets things done.
Befriend Imperfection and Embrace Transparency
A good leader knows they won’t be on top of their game all the time. They admit when they come up short as to show they are human. They are transparent because they know that in being so they garner more respect. They don’t put a false persona up because they know, just like everyone else, they mess up. Imperfection is fuel.
It’s safe to to assume many of you know the likes of Steve Pavlina. Whether you like his lifestyle choices or not, it’s no secret he’s very transparent in what he does. He openly admits his mistakes and fears.
Leading doesn’t mean you know everything. There are many leaders who aren’t nearly as smart as those they are leading. The difference is they know how to use the resources they’ve been given.
There’s a study that shows the sales of two cooking commercials. One infomercial had a gorgeous host with a spotless reputation and a perfectly executed meal. The other commercial though similar, involved a more average looking host, and her slipping up when cooking the meal. Surprisingly the second commercial out sold the first commercial significantly. Why? Because people like imperfection.
Admirable leaders know perfection isn’t possible but aiming for greatness is good enough.
Becoming A Leader
You may not command the attention of millions of people over your life time. Your name may not be etched in the history books. You may only be known to a select few. But that doesn’t mean you won’t go unnoticed. Work your way to the place you want to reach.
People are looking to be lead. Problems need to be solved. Leaders aren’t born they are made. Isn’t it time you begin?
Nice one Bud,
You summarized some of the most important people skills I know. Now, moving from skills to attitudes, I believe that most people are not leaders because they are afraid to take charge and initiative. They need to embrace their inner leader and let it out of the cage, if they want to also lead on the outside.
Bud, thanks so much for the kind words I really appreciate it. So you don’t think the Rich and Happy giveaway is a marketing scam then?
Hi,
I’m the new guy in the neighborhood … Greetings to Bud and the whole community. See (read and be read) you soon… Just a note to greet and let you know that I like the blog and will keep coming and following you.
Regards
Hey Eduard! Thanks for the comment. Question for you: Does being a bad leader not make you a leader?
@Tim Still on the fence.
Nice summary of good leadership qualities. Taking it a step further I’d ask “What’s leading you?.” Take time to stop and listen to that voice of truth inside you. Let THAT inform your actions. Let those actions lead by example.
Best to you,
Atmara
Great stuff again Bud…
I think you hit the nail on the head with “believe what you preach”.
The more I immerse myself in this personal development world, the more people I meet who are getting awesome results living purposeful, happy and rich lives.
As my life starts to echo this, I’m absolutely loving believing in what I’m doing – and telling others about it too.
I’m also finding that the more you find – and act – like yourself, the better people respond.
And for the record – you’re a born leader my man!
Peace x
Great post! It’s important believe in what you preach or teach. If you don’t, people will see right through it. Leading by example is a must. I liked that you wrote that if you say you’re going to do something do it. Many people bail without any explanation. Hey, life happens, but an email or phone call doesn’t take that long.
We call this leadership “with a small l”, meaning you don’t officially have a title, but you are leading. And leadership “with a big L” when you have a title. Great info for everyone, because you are right – we are leading someone.
And I agree with Carl’s comment that you are a born leader!
Keep up the great work!
Hi Bud,
Yes indeed bud, we all have the ability to lead… it our Right of Consciousness. When the late president FDR was attending a banquet, and the banquet planner was concerned that it was not clear which was the head table, FDR’s aide commented,”you need not concern yourself with that. Wherever the president sits will be the head table.”
Leadership was a quality FDR made up his mind to express… like you said, Bud; we are not all going to be FDR’s but we all have the ability to exercise our inexorable Right of Consciousness.
Hey Melvin. Thanks for stopping by.
My passion for making the world a better place is what’s leading me
Good points Rob. What I think many people forget is that even if you don’t have a “following” of thousands of people you’re still a leader in some way. By realizing that you can lead at that “small” level, it encourages you to be the best person you can be. !
@Katie, thanks for the comment, but in all honestly I don’t think anyone is born anything. You become a leader by acting courageous in situations that call for leadership.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
I really like this post. I agree that anyone can become a leader, and that a leader is something people develop into. I think the primary points that are important to being a leader are building trust, staying humble, and listening to others. If we show we care about others and can help them understand our vision, we can begin leading others. Thanks!
Best point you made…Lose the Title. When you are a true leader, having one doesn’t matter at all. Cheers
Bud I like your point about listening. Many leaders think that once they get that leadership position, there’s not much listening to do. But in fact, leaders have to listen more!
Leading is quite a learning process. I would even say that listening is probably one of the most important traits of a leader because it also shows that he or she cares!
Great post Bud!
-Gabe
There is nothing better than being a leader Bud. Some people like to be followers, I like to lead. Thanks for sharing
Funny, when I was a midshipman at the Naval Academy we used to debate whether or not leaders are made or born. I believe some people are born to lead. They simply have the innate personality and physical characteristics a leader. But, I also believe that most (not all) people can be trained to be good leaders.
IMO all of the qualities you list are important, but the two key characteristics of a leader are:
1. Presence – the ability to demand attention and followership WITHOUT actually demanding it. People just *want* to follow.
2. Vision – leaders are inspirational, and inspire vision. They inspire people to believe and sacrifice for the goal, regardless of how big or small.
These qualities are distinct from the organizational skills required for managers.
Thanks for the thought provoking post. I always enjoy reading your blog!
Chris
Leaders have the ability to see the unseen. They understand that vision is seeing a flower in person. But perceiving it as a forest in the near future. IF you want to be a leader, you have to have a vision. The ability to see beyond the point of others. Too see above and beyond trivial activities and learn from one another. Do this and your well on your way to becoming a leader.
I think you teased out a good distinction between leading by influence versus leading with authority.
Great insights!
I agree you don’t have to be someone famous to consider yourself a leader. It is your desire and willpower to become an effective leader that makes you one. Leadership do not come out naturally, it is acquired through continuous work and study. Good leaders thrives to improve themselves they don’t just sit on their laurels.
Allow me to share with you an interesting read on What Makes A Good Leader