How to Recognize the Leadership Power You Possess

By Rha K. Cardinale

Are leaders born, or are they made? That's a question and debate you hear often, and each side feels that it's right. In truth, though, both are right. You have everything inside you that you need to become a leader. You may not realize it, but you do. If you don't realize that you have the leadership qualities you need already, however, you can also go out and learn how to become a leader.

You already have everything you need to be the great leader you are. Find these qualities within yourself. Becoming a leader is a process, not an instantaneous occurrence. If you're not in a leadership position today, it's not likely that you're going to be in one tomorrow. Rather, it's a journey that you're going to take and that will need dedication.

Incidentally, it should be noted that those who are leaders in their industry or in their jobs are also leaders in their personal lives. It's not a quality that you turn on and off. Leadership isn't a job; it defines the person you are, who you are.

What qualities or attributes do leaders have? First of all, if you're a leader, you have integrity. In fact, this is the most important quality you have to have. If people are going to follow you, they are going to be doing what you're asking of them. You must be moral and ethical and follow through on what you're saying if this is true. Integrity can be thought of as having the wherewithal to be able to tell your children or grandmother what you do and not be ashamed of it.

To be a leader, you also need to be consistent. You need to weigh your options, decide on which way you want to go, and then go. Don't walk into your company one day and say that you're going to do something to increase your company's profile in the industry or bring in new customers and then the next week reverse direction and say that you need to cut the project budget and downgrade company technology. Establish a goal once you know what you want to do and then work towards that goal every day to achieve it.

Next, you need to deeply understand your business to be a successful leader. You need to educate yourself so that you know what you're talking about. Then, tell those you work with what the company can do for them. You can't fake this and shouldn't. How many times have you talked to someone who was a so-called "professional" that didn't have a clue what he or she was talking about? If you're smart, you walked away, and other people will too if you're in the same situation. This is why you have to know what you're talking about.

Of course, you're going to make mistakes; everyone does. And the key to good leadership is that you have to own up to it when you do so. Don't hide it, don't deny it, and don't pretend it didn't happen. If you do this, you're going to lose respect from those you need it most from. In addition, you'll need to be able to listen and take opinions and criticisms from others, perhaps direction as well. Make decisions. Listen to other people, but if the decision is yours to make, you'll need to make the final decision. If you know how to do so, you can bring out your own leadership qualities and make sure they are present in every area of your life.

About the Author:

About the author: Rha K. Cardinale gives great recommendations on how to find the leader within. Visit the "Great Leadership" website for more information on turning your organisation into powerhouses of wisdom Performance and Profit.