Achieving success as a leader is a never-ending journey that requires dedication and consistent effort. It entails cultivating fundamental qualities and characteristics that serve as the catalyst and north star for a successful leadership career. This journey has a critical moment of initiation when the leadership fire is lit. There is the realization that there is a higher calling, and merely pursuing personal success is no longer sufficient; a strong desire to empower others to achieve their goals and serve as the guiding light to help them navigate the complexities and challenges of attaining success. This realization marks the beginning of a path where uplifting others to become their best selves becomes the driving force and ultimate reward.
Are Great Leaders Born or Made?
Some argue that leadership qualities are innate, while others believe they can be developed through hard work, training, and practice. However, this debate is insignificant because everyone considering themselves a leader must continue learning and consistently improving. Whether you were born with natural abilities or had to acquire them through training, strong and effective leadership requires honing and perfecting your skills. Having a mentor or a successful leader by your side can make your leadership journey easier. However, it still requires a conscious effort, education, and an unwavering passion for leading others.
What Does a Great Leader Look Like?
Being a leader is not just a title; it requires going beyond expectations, being a role model, and having the desire to develop and nurture others; this, in turn, translates into building a confident workforce who not only strive for personal success but also contribute to the growth and success of the organization.
Throughout history, exceptional leaders have inspired others to believe in something greater than themselves. Soldiers won great wars and battles despite limited resources because they believed with their hearts that they could achieve victory against all odds. This belief was ignited by an inspirational figure leading the way.
Throughout our lives, we have all had the opportunity to encounter someone who motivates us to believe in our abilities and strive for greatness. These people have shown us the path to success, even when the road ahead was unclear. They encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the discomfort, knowing that it was essential for our personal growth; they did this with clarity, respect, and, most importantly, kindness.
When is the Right Time to Lead?
The journey of leadership can begin early in life. Leaders come in all forms, from a young child putting up a lemonade stand and using the profits to buy books to read to the elderly or a college student who knows how to rally their peers to organize towards a noble cause, a sales manager who despite the challenges in the economy continues to inspire their team with optimism to keep them striving for success, to a CEO who leads the organization with passion and dedication, achieve success and shares the credit and rewards with their team.
Essential Leadership Qualities:
Not everyone is cut out to be a leader, but those who genuinely aspire to motivate and lead others have the potential to become one. A strong leader must possess essential traits and qualities such as the ability to articulate a vision in simple terms, empathy, emotional intelligence, effective communication, excellent listening skills, entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to take risks, trustworthiness, the ability to build relationships, and a tireless quest to learn and improve oneself. But what differentiates a good leader from a transformational leader is the capacity to inspire and influence others to believe.
Conflict Management - An Essential Skill in Leadership:
As a leader, you also have to be able to manage and navigate through conflict. Conflict management skills are essential for the success of both a leader and an organization. Strong leaders understand that conflicts can provide opportunities for uncovering new ways to handle an issue or find a solution. It is also crucial to have the ability to defuse unproductive disputes to avoid wasting time on pointless quarrels over sharing credit or miscommunication. Conflict is a natural part of human relationships and even necessary. Even the most effective leaders must deal with conflict because people have different opinions and beliefs. However, conflict can bring out great ideas and even strengthen relationships, and knowing how to leverage it to improve the organization is vital to being a successful leader.
My Leadership Journey:
I have always seen myself as a leader. My mother’s and sister’s example and work ethic ignited my leadership spark. They are fearless women who can accomplish difficult tasks that others may find challenging. I inherited my mother's passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. She is a natural salesperson and a great listener. I learned from her the importance of listening and understanding people’s needs even when they find it difficult to express them. This skill has enabled me to find common ground, identify practical solutions, and match customers with the right products or services.
From my sister, I learned to be fearless. I remember my sister’s bravery when we were kids. We came to this country not knowing the language, but she never hesitated to participate in class, even if it meant answering or reading with a basic vocabulary. Despite the other kids’ laughter when she would read, she persevered. When asked if their laughing bothered her, she would reply, “I come to school to learn, and they will not take that away from me.” Her response showed her determination, inspiring me to be just as confident.
Having a Great Mentor!
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under a leader who constantly pushed me to take risks, even when I didn’t feel ready. I am eternally grateful to her for this. However, once I took that leap into the unknown, I realized it was my responsibility to complete the mission and achieve success. While I appreciated the support, it was ultimately up to me to put in the effort and persevere even in the face of failure. Learning to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep trying are crucial qualities for anyone who wants to become a strong leader.
In summary, authentic leadership comes from a genuine desire to make a positive change in the lives of others. Anyone can emerge as a leader by establishing trust, earning respect, and laying the groundwork for enabling others to reach their full potential. And, of course, as a leader, it’s essential to have fun, too; sharing laughter and good times with your colleagues and teams can be the perfect way to unwind after a long day’s work.
And, as you embark on your leadership journey, keep learning and expanding your skills. Believe in your abilities and know that success is within your reach. Let your passion guide you, and let the spark within you light up the path toward achieving your leadership goals!
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