What are the characteristic of leadership? What does it take to be a good leader? No matter where you are in life right now, having leadership skills can be very useful in the various situations that you face. The benefits it brings in helping you handle tough situations are priceless.
To be an effective leader, many positive attributes are required such as good communication skills, decision making ability, vision, flexibility, co-operation, congruency and trust. In this article, lets focus on the 2 most important ones, communication and decision making.
I. Great Communicator. Good communication is one of the most important characteristic of leadership. A good leader is able to communicate well not only with the people he is leading, but with external parties as well.
What does it mean to be a good communicator? It means knowing what to say, how to say it and when to say it. Effective leaders will say what is required. They don't sugarcoat their words, they don't try to be too nice and they never purposely show off their authority.
When support is needed, give encouragement. Where credit is due, give credit. Criticize only where it is necessary and make sure that there is always a two way communication between the leader and follower. To be a good communicator means also to be a good listener.
II. Decision Making. The second vital attribute of being a good leader is to be a good decision maker. A good decision maker must;
1. BE TIMELY - Being able to make decisions within the required time and not spending too much time analyzing and considering each decision. 2. BE RESOLUTE - This means having the firmness and willpower to stick to each decision long enough to see it bear fruit. 3. FLEXIBLE - To have the flexibility to change directions and decisions when it is discovered that the initial judgment may not be the right one.
It is often not possible to have all information available to make a decision. At times like this, the effective leader uses his instinct and judgment, and is never afraid of making the decision.
By becoming a great communicator and decision maker, you are well on your way towards becoming an effective leader. - 16492
To be an effective leader, many positive attributes are required such as good communication skills, decision making ability, vision, flexibility, co-operation, congruency and trust. In this article, lets focus on the 2 most important ones, communication and decision making.
I. Great Communicator. Good communication is one of the most important characteristic of leadership. A good leader is able to communicate well not only with the people he is leading, but with external parties as well.
What does it mean to be a good communicator? It means knowing what to say, how to say it and when to say it. Effective leaders will say what is required. They don't sugarcoat their words, they don't try to be too nice and they never purposely show off their authority.
When support is needed, give encouragement. Where credit is due, give credit. Criticize only where it is necessary and make sure that there is always a two way communication between the leader and follower. To be a good communicator means also to be a good listener.
II. Decision Making. The second vital attribute of being a good leader is to be a good decision maker. A good decision maker must;
1. BE TIMELY - Being able to make decisions within the required time and not spending too much time analyzing and considering each decision. 2. BE RESOLUTE - This means having the firmness and willpower to stick to each decision long enough to see it bear fruit. 3. FLEXIBLE - To have the flexibility to change directions and decisions when it is discovered that the initial judgment may not be the right one.
It is often not possible to have all information available to make a decision. At times like this, the effective leader uses his instinct and judgment, and is never afraid of making the decision.
By becoming a great communicator and decision maker, you are well on your way towards becoming an effective leader. - 16492
About the Author:
Business consultant and personal development enthusiast Ethan Beh has spent many years seeking, learning and practicing the best personal development techniques available. Visit his website for his collection of personal development ideas which includes leadership attributes.
