In order to be a leader, one must have the ability to influence others, motivating them to reach a goal. However, leaders are not necessarily born with the ability to lead, but develop the skills consistently over the course of their lives. A good leader is encouraging and inspires others to do their very best. Effective leaders display honesty, confidence and sincerity in their words and actions, always doing so with integrity. A leader must have a good understanding of who they are, what they know, and what they're capable of. .
Without honesty, a leader cannot lead to the best of his/her ability, for a leader must be upfront with the people who follow. Simply telling others what they want to hear is not an acceptable substitute for the truth. Being honest will pave the way for overcoming obstacles, making a way for present or approaching issues to be addressed rather than avoided. Being a leader is not for oneself, but is for those who are willing (or required) to follow your instructions and guidance. .
Self-confidence is another fundamental quality of a leader; the confidence to make decisions, however difficult, is a necessary leadership skill. Most people would agree that President Obama comes across as a very confident leader. His motto, "Yes we can!" is a believable boost of hope, convincing nearly everyone who hears his words that tomorrow will be better than today. .
When I think about inspirational leadership, I think of people in my life that have pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of. These individuals saw potential in me and weren't afraid to share what they thought of me. They believed in me. And like all great leaders, they instilled in me a sense that I could truly trust them. To be a great leader, those who follow must have full trust in you.
Leadership requires one to inspire others - sharing the cause and a vision for the end result. Everyone needs somebody to look to for direction, guidance, and motivation.