PRACTICING TRUE LEADERSHIP

We live in a day and age when the world seems to cry out for true leaders. Our society needs men and women who carry a vision for a healthy and positive tomorrow. I would like to share with you just a few of the traits and signs that I feel characterizes a true leader.

A true leader is one who:

• Has, at one time or another, been a follower

• Works at developing personal leadership skills

• Loves to plan the work and work the plan

• Does not criticize, condemn, or complain

• Enlists the willing cooperation of people

• Overcomes the adversities and negatives of life

• Is humble and sincere

• Possess high morals and attitudes of integrity

• Empowers people

• Encourages others

• Taps his/her own creative potential and that of others

• Turns negatives into positives

• Loves life

• Models leadership by example

• Does not lord their authority or power over others, because their desire is to serve others, not to be served.

Of course, the list could go on and on. The point I desire to make is simply this: Not just anybody can be a leader. You have to be willing to lift up the people around you. You must commit to being a builder of people. How about you–are you a true leader?

I like this quote by Harold S. Geneen, that pretty much sums up what I am trying to say: "Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions."

Let your attitudes and actions, and not just your words, speak of your true leadership qualities to those around you.