Semantics of leadership

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Jack Lundee approached me a little while back about a guest blog.  He is an avid blogger on Everything Left.

He describes his blog as a “blog to relay the latest Liberal-based current events and political news to its readers.”

In this post he has analysed what he believes it takes to be a leader - I believe that these echo the characteristics needed
to be a thought leader.

In order to really understand what it takes to be a leader, one must really sit down and analyze the various characteristics of somebody who leads.

Classically, a leader can be defined as a person who is followed by others. I believe a leader must have the following
traits:

Trustworthiness

Whether you’re Doug Band of the Clinton Global Initiative or a regular door-to-door salesman, you must always be honest. Honesty, integrity and trustworthiness are significant qualities of a leader simply because without them, nobody would
consider addressing that person as somebody who they’d follow. In other words, you can’t build character by lying, cheating and stealing – Dishonesty simply does not make an impression on anybody.

Respectfulness

And you’re character is of course dependent on how you perceive and treat others, as well as your self. If you have an angry or self-defeating attitude, you’re likely to behave that way. This eventually leads to a loss of respect.

Perseverance

A leader must always be ready to fail.

Having the strength and courage to carry on through these mistrials is greatly consistent of a powerful leader. Again, you don’t have to be a world leader to preserver and overcome. Leaders can and usually will find the strength to pursue their visions, goals and good will towards others, even if they’ve experience some sort of adversity that normally would hold somebody back.

Benevolence

Most leadership theorists tend to leave this trait out, but I find it of great value to somebody entertaining a leadership position. The Dalai Lama once stated, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” With kindness also comes compassion. And if you’re passionate about something, you’re probably one of the best kinds of leaders who do by example.

Ability to Lead by Example

Leaders always lead by example. I have yet to come across somebody who I consider a leader that didn’t lead by example. A
great illustration of this would be Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi was not only the leader of an enormous peace
movement, but he also played a role as an activist. Let’s keep in mind that this commitment to “action,” had nothing to do with violence or upheaval.  Gandhi simply led by using things like fasting as political protest. This gathered him thousands upon thousands of followers.

Ability to Inspire and Influence

In accordance, Gandhi was able to influence and inspire. In fact, Martin Luther King actually pulled writings and referenced Gandhi in developing his own theories on non-violence. If somebody who you consider a “leader” has yet to inspire you or make you want to reach higher, perhaps it’s time to start idolizing someone else.

Intelligence

Last but not least, a good leader must be smart. Most of the time, if you’re smart, you’ll be in good shape. Even if you’ve done some deceitful things and hurt people in the past, with intelligence comes the realization that “It’s time to make a change, and stick with that change.” Intelligence can go a long way in terms of impacting yourself and others.

It certainly will attract followers, but without possessing some of these other traits, it’s useless in itself. You can be the smartest person in the world, and lead a life of consolatory confinement if you’re unable to maintain positive relationships with others, and these relationships are earned through honesty, respect, influence, kindness, courage, and determination.

By: Jack Lundee of Shades of Green and Everything Left.