A major role in the continuation of modern society is our leaders and the roles they play. They are the ones who will show us the way, so to speak. But who will these people, these leaders, be? What qualities and characteristics do leaders possess? And why is it that we the people follow these leaders? Warren Blank's book defines the nine natural laws of leadership that a person should posses to help their business life operate effectively.
Blank begins the book defining what leadership really means. He implies that leadership is those people who are committed to excellence and get others to commit themselves to excellence-through an environment that encourages learning, creativity, change, responsibility, credibility, fairness, and teamwork. Those given the title of being a leader understand that sometime new changes will fail, but, by continually trying, those failures ultimately turn into success. Leadership is also defined as the art of influencing, directing, guiding, and controlling others in such a way as to obtain their willing obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in accomplishment of an objective. .
A significant part of effective leadership discussed in the book was the close connection between the leader and the follower, which often determines the success of the leader's mission. Leadership is not a person, a position, or a program but a relationship that develops when the leader and the follower connect to create one, undivided whole. No leader exists without gaining the support of others. This first natural law recognizes the collegial role of followers. Unfortunately, this relationship cannot be created according to some simple formula. Members must smoothly shift between the leader and follower. This requires complete up and down communication as .
well as a complete understanding of who holds which role and the responsibilities that go with that role.