Being a leader is a role that we play, whether it is a work, family, or personal life situation. We also play roles such as, the friend, lover, listener, problem-solver, etc. Since being/playing leader is a role, we’ve all done it, and you cannot avoid being one.

Over the many years of working with organizations that are under-performing, stress laidened, and resistant to change, we’ve learned that leaders are absent from the job. Sure people still show up for work, but completing a task is not the same as making a contribution. To some degree organizations have "beaten leadership out of their people" and created a well-honed administrative and risk-adverse workforce. Many then wonder why the place feels de-moralized or lacks energy. But alas, I digress.

Before reading any further, take a minute and think of a person who you believe is an effective leader.

What studies and experience has shown is effective leaders do have specific well-honed skills or attributes. They are:

1. Firm grasp on reality. They know exactly what is going on right now and have a realistic perspective.
2. Altered behaviour based on the situation. An exceptional leader knows when a ‘kick in the pants’ or ‘a quiet word’ is the appropriate response.
3. Belief that their opinion is valid. Searching for alternate opinions is important to a good leader however their basic premise is, theirs is both important and valid.
4. A moving forward mentality. Being mired in the negativity of the situation is not where a leader will spend their time. Determining how to move forward, and accomplish something, is where a leader will invest their time, resources and talents.
5. Learn from others. Leaders don’t expect that they will have all of the answers, and will search for answers and knowledge from any source that they can get it.
6. Vision. Though a somewhat over used word, good leaders have a sense of where they are going, they have a vision. Besides if you don’t know where you are going, why should anyone follow you?
7. Being responsible. Looking for others to blame is not a trait that is embraced by effective leaders. Holding people accountable is.
8. Willing to teach. Lessons learned by a leader are unselfishly shared with others, provided they are willing to listen.
9. Good communicator. A good leader stands out as a communicator in any group, they have honed their listening, speaking, and presentation skills.
10. Energy & Passion. Yes, they have both and they don’t hold back on either.

Years ago, I worked for a terrific leader who became my mentor and helped me accomplish things in life that I know I simply would not have, had it not been for his influence. During one of my ‘dialogue sessions’ (that is what he liked to call them), he said there are three types of people in this world: those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that wondered what happened. He then asked me which type of person I wanted to be.

Which type of person do you want to be? Being a leader is not a requirement for the second and third types of people, it is if you’ve chosen to be a ‘make things happen’ kind of person.

 Feel free to use this article, just give credit where credit is due!
Copyright 2000 © Sid Ridgley