I’ve been thinking a lot these days about what it takes to be a Leader. Do you need Charisma? Power? Intelligence? Good Looks? Is Leadership a quality that you are born with – or is it something that can be developed? And how do you know if you’re a Leader vs. a fool angling to be a Leader?
For years I have heard people say – “If People Follow You – Then You are a Leader”. And while I don’t disagree with that statement – I will say that I’ve seen an awful lot of people follow the wrong folks for all the wrong reasons. Of course – this has more to do with the distinction of being a Toxic Leader vs. being a Remarkable Leader. So let’s break this down:
Toxic Leaders:
- May Be Visionary or Charismatic
- Often Push Their Own Agendas – and are Motivated by their Own Self-Interests
- Understand How to Play Office Politics – and Win
- Are Often Unethical or Amoral
- Can be extremely persuasive
Remarkable Leaders:
- Have the Ability to Hold Crucial Conversations without wounding Egos
- Have the power of Influence – but balance it with the power of Vision
- Are Candid, Authentic, Open, & Transparent
- Understand the Big Picture – and can put their cause before themselves
- Live in Integrity – choosing to do what is RIGHT over what is EASY
- Understand the incredible power of Transformation as it applies to their followers
