My very intuitive son asked me a question the other day (he asks me the most amazing questions), which was: “People tell me to be a leader, but what does that really mean? What would it look like based on what I do?” Wow. Where did this cool kid come from? I used to just ask my mom if I could have $10 (life was simpler back then!):
I hesitated for a second and then gave him the following list (based on an article by Peter Barron Stark) of 10 elements of a leader who people respect and admire:
1. Integrity: Obvious. If you lack integrity, no one will trust you and no one will see you as a role model.
2. Vision: You must have a vision about life and people and looking to make both better.
3. Passion: Leaders believe in what they are doing and their efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
4. Humility: If you are a humble leader it is easier to: (a) Thank people for their contributions; (b) Admit when you are wrong; and (c) Be respectful – regardless of your social status or position in the company.
5. Learning: Leaders are “active learners who can quickly put to use what they have learned.”
6. Decision Making: You need to be able to make decisions with the big picture view – with others in mind … not just yourself.
7. Pride: How you look or work tells people how you feel about yourself and it helps them work to feel good about themselves as well.
8. Confidence: When you have these traits, it is easy to be confident and humble at the same time.
9. Follow-Through: Do what you say you are going to do.
10. Win: Work to produce the desired result or goal and if you don’t, try again.
I have added my own thoughts to Stark’s list but I think he is quite right about these 10 qualities, which he directed toward adults. Yet, it really does fit for my son (and all our youth) too.
Honestly, these are things we should all strive for. Even in our daily life … we should work toward making a difference — that’s what a good leader does. Some people want or need to make a difference in a big way and others of us do it in small ways every single day. It doesn’t matter how … it just matters that you do!
I hear the birds chirping this morning! Have a great day.
theyearof50 