Leadership is a process of influencing and motivating others to accomplish a certain task. However, it does not simply mean that a leader would just instruct his subordinates and command them of what they should do. Leadership is also about setting the balance between ruling and serving. He has to learn how to accept ideas from others and how to communicate with everyone for a better outcome. An effective leader does not conquer but rather acts as the organizer of the group. All great leaders have something unique about them and yet they were bound by greatness that helped them to lead masses to innovation and new ideologies.
Since the oldest times known to men, masses have been led by efficient leaders. Such men and women have been responsible for guiding their people into a new and more modern world as we know of it now. Although times have changed, the contributions of these great leaders cannot be forgotten and although practices and ways of doing things have changed as well, the ways of these great leaders cannot be overlooked. What made them great might still be applicable in today’s day and age. But what are the effective traits of being a great leader?
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1. A leader must be decisive. One of
the most basic duties of any leader is to make decisions. Highly effective
leaders aren’t afraid to be decisive and to make tough calls quickly when
circumstances require it. Once you have all the information you need to make an
informed decision, then don’t hesitate--make it. And once you make a decision,
then stick with it unless there is a particularly compelling reason for you to
change it.
Hyperlink:http://www.inc.com/peter-economy/7-traits-highly-effective-leaders.html
Hyperlink:http://www.inc.com/peter-economy/7-traits-highly-effective-leaders.html
2. An effective leader knows
how to motivate. A motivational leader enjoys their task. They are optimistic about their purpose. Change requires taking risks, personal growth
and challenges. A motivational leader
does not back down from a challenge but is willing to lead the way as an
inspirational leader.
3. A leader knows how to be fair in judgment. Fairness means dealing with others consistently and justly. A leader must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. He or she must avoid leaping to conclusions based on incomplete evidence. When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward a leader with loyalty and dedication.
4. An effective leader is a visionary. A leader must be a dreamer. A productive leader is someone who can see
into the future. The challenge for every
visionary leader is not to get so far ahead of the team in what they see that
they leave them behind, lost, wandering about the future direction. A visionary is a dreamer but they are also a
strong communicator of their dream. Effective leadership has certain, basic,
visionary, characteristics. The aim of a strong leader is to translate their
“vision” into reality.
5. A
good leader must know how to communicate. Communication is essential for a leader
to relate his vision to the group. It is needed so that everyone would have the
same goal though they are given variety of tasks to accomplish. More so, a
leader does not decide on matters alone but also considers the sentiments of
others. He knows how to listen to his subordinates and is always open to new
suggestions and ideas.
Hyperlink:http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/04/04/10-communication-secrets-of-great-leaders/
6. A leader rules by example. A leader walks what he talks. An
effective leader practice what he preaches and becomes responsible with his
action. Assuming that everybody is observing him, he must serve as a role model
for others to be inspired and imitate his actions. Hyperlink: http://www.soulcraft.co/essays/lead_by_example.html
7. A leader must be committed. A true
leader must be committed to his duties. Being committed can mean being
hardworking. An effective loves his work and does his tasks in an excellent
way. By showing this positive trait to is employees, he earns the respect of
workers. They too become motivated as they see their leader or "boss"
as a role model. When a leader is committed to his job, all other positive
traits will follow. He will be honest and truthful. He would also be able.to
influence his colleagues in a positive way. There will be no corruption as the
leader becomes very dedicated to his work. There is passion for his job.
Hyperlink:http://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaprive/2012/12/19/top-10-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader/
8. A leader must know how to be funny at times in order to lighten up the mood of the task. Everyone wants a leader who is funny and showing
that there is happiness even in the toughest times. No one ever wants a leader
who gives hard tasks, always serious, and expects you to do things perfectly in
time. And becoming a hilarious leader gives positive motivation to the group
and higher chances that they would want you more as their leader.
World Leaders with their Commendable Gestures
1. Jose Mujica
1. Jose Mujica
He has been described as "the world's 'humblest' president", due to his austere lifestyle and his donation of around 90 percent of his $12 000 monthly salary to charities that benefit poor people and small entrepreneurs.
2. Pope Francis
Hyperlink: http://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2013/08/28/lead-from-the-heart-then-the-head-a-lesson-from-pope-francis/
3. Sec. Jesse Robredo
Jorge Mario Bergoglio,
famously known as Pope Francis, could be considered an effective leader. He his gestures are just
simple but it made great impact to others. Being the leader of the whole
Catholic Church, he showed great humility and simplicity which gave the world a
different perspective in life. He uses a simple car when travelling, rides the
“pope mobile” with the bulletproof glass covering and washes the feet of young
prisoners. His openness to everyone, even to non-Catholics reflected from his
actions towards the people. He also has this possible outlook in life believing
in the capabilities the world has. These attitudes possessed by the Pope gave
him the popularity he has now and the confidence of the laity.
Hyperlink: http://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2013/08/28/lead-from-the-heart-then-the-head-a-lesson-from-pope-francis/
3. Sec. Jesse Robredo
When Jesse became the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, he elevated his Naga City initiatives on transparency and accountability to the national level by issuing a memorandum circular requiring all local government units and the DILG regional offices to fully disclose their financial transactions and operations.
4. Nelson Mandela
He
was the first African American to be elected in a democratic country. Although
imprisoned for 30 years, this did not stop his idea of anti-apartheid
movements. He was against racism. This only proved his commitment to his idea
because being in prison did not become a hindrance for him to be successful or
to achieve his goal of equality. Other traits of Nelson Mandela are
determination, persistence, focus, and will. He became very famous as he was
able to unite and motivate not only his countrymen but also other citizens from
around the world. His life became an inspiring one and he was considered as
legendary.
5. Mahatma
Gandhi
Known as the Man Who Conquered The World,
Alexander the Great is often said to be the greatest military leader of all
time. He was born in 356 BC and by the age of 33, he had the largest empire in
the history which stretched from Greece to Egypt to India. He was the king of
the Kingdom of Macedonia and perhaps, he was the greatest military commander to
have ever lived. He did the noble deed of unifying many Greek city states. He
was undefeated in battle and succumbed to malaria and died in 323 BC. His
fortes were his foresight, vision and military capabilities.
He
was the first African American to be elected in a democratic country. Although
imprisoned for 30 years, this did not stop his idea of anti-apartheid
movements. He was against racism. This only proved his commitment to his idea
because being in prison did not become a hindrance for him to be successful or
to achieve his goal of equality. Other traits of Nelson Mandela are
determination, persistence, focus, and will. He became very famous as he was
able to unite and motivate not only his countrymen but also other citizens from
around the world. His life became an inspiring one and he was considered as
legendary.5. Mahatma
Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma
Gandhi, was born an ordinary boy with a determination to excel at what he did.
After completing law from London, he became the most important part of the
Indian freedom struggle against the colonial rule. His policy of non-violence and protest
through civil disobedience eventually succeeded when he led his country to freedom
in 1947.
6. Julius Caesar
Easily one of
the greatest military leaders of all time, Caesar was also one of the best
political leaders the world has ever seen. He led several campaigns with
numerous victories and was single handedly responsible for the expansion of the
Roman Empire. He was also responsible for reforming the Roman government and
thus laying the foundation to a great empire.
7. Alexander,
The Great
Known as the Man Who Conquered The World,
Alexander the Great is often said to be the greatest military leader of all
time. He was born in 356 BC and by the age of 33, he had the largest empire in
the history which stretched from Greece to Egypt to India. He was the king of
the Kingdom of Macedonia and perhaps, he was the greatest military commander to
have ever lived. He did the noble deed of unifying many Greek city states. He
was undefeated in battle and succumbed to malaria and died in 323 BC. His
fortes were his foresight, vision and military capabilities.