When we think of a leader, who comes to mind? There are examples from the past and present, adults and children, and leaders in spiritual, political, or even physical realms. Leaders' influence may be felt globally, or only in their neighborhoods or families. So what characteristics do leaders have? The following list comes from my own life experiences and my associations with a variety of leaders over time. An enormously successful business leader shared his Five Cs of leadership with me, to which I added a sixth: Conscience. The person who leads from the front and embodies these six qualities IS a leader.
Leaders lead from the front. Always demanding more of themselves than others, leaders are at the front of the charge, not observing from a distance. There are tremendous military examples, and you can probably name more than I. There are also quieter examples: the minister who asks a congregation to support a charity, and then is the first in line to serve; Florence Nightingale, who left a comfortable British lifestyle to create the professional nursing role, in spite of enormous societal barriers; and the team leader who stays with the emergency crews during disaster relief efforts, shift after shift, instead of monitoring progress from a distance.
Conviction. A leader has a passionately held conviction, belief, or vision with which all thought and action are aligned. Think of people like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahandas K. Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. They had deeply held convictions which drove their actions. As you will see throughout this list, they also led from the front and inspired millions of people.
Commitment. Leaders remain committed to their cause regardless of circumstances. Think of Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl whose spiritual experiences fueled her heroic leadership of French troops against English enemies during the 1400s. Always at risk of injury, torture, capture, and death, Joan of Arc's actions changed history, long past her early death at the stake. Or look more closely within your own circle of relationships. Is there a child who toils toward a goal, perhaps a spot on the varsity team, or a position in the school orchestra, committed in thought, word, and deed?
Confidence. A leader has confidence that goals will be achieved. A leader radiates this confidence to others. A leader does not dissipate valuable mental and physical energy through doubt. This knowing attracts the very outcome desired.
Courage. A leader has the courage to act on beliefs. Courage isn't a lack of fear; courage is acting in spite of fear. Think of Pat Tillman, a larger than life professional football player at the peak of his career who joined the military after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He gave up his lifestyle to become an army Ranger specifically to protect others from terrorists, to follow his beliefs. With courage, he fought. With courage, he died in a tragic incident of friendly fire. Think also of the handicapped child who risks failure and humiliation in order to achieve the same developmental milestones as peers. This is quiet, endless courage with no fanfare.
Consistency. A leader holds true to values, words, and actions, all of which align. A leader does not change direction according to the winds of favor. Followers count on a leader to be reliable and consistent. Think of the parent (leader) who faces anger and rejection from a teenage child (follower) when limits are enforced. Remaining consistent in parental behavior and limit setting is essential to help the child develop, and this means tolerating the negative feelings from the teenager. We've all played one of these roles.
Conscience. None of the other five qualities matter without conscience. You will have examples that come to mind, some of wide renown, and some of very personal moment. My father was one of the most conscientious people I have ever met. By this I mean that his conscience was an integral part of his physical and spiritual fiber. As a child, I was often frustrated by what felt like his rigid code of ethics which interfered with my immediate gratification! A lifetime later, I value this ruler, this measure by which choices must be made in life's often "grey" areas. He bequeathed much to me, yet nothing more precious than this.
Leaders are made, not born. Every decision point offers the opportunity to choose in the direction of leadership. It is a simple, difficult way of being. Choose now, and at every moment.
Deborah A. Orr, RN, Ph.D. is a grateful psychologist with many life changing experiences to date. She has begun a new venture where leadership thrives. To learn more about this leadership business, visit Phoenix and Dragon, Inc. at http://www.growinginspirit.net
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