Re-Define Leadership

What are the qualities that genuinely define leadership? Think of three people you consider to be leaders. Can you name the qualities they exhibit that make them leaders to you?

Any typical list of top 10 criteria for leadership invariably includes a combination of these 14 qualities:

• vision
• charisma
• integrity
• responsibility
• clear strategy
• strong decision-making
• risk taking
• dominance
• enthusiasm
• motivating
• self-assurance
• energetic
• extroverted
• self-aware

However, for the majority of us, there are usually a couple criteria also included, which are never officially sited by any list:

• this person is famous
• this person is rich
• my peers agree that he is a leader
• the media refers to her as a leader
• he tells us he is a leader on his website,  book jacket, or other marketing materials.

While you and I are most certainly immune to such influences (and that should go without saying, right?) we have to acknowledge these influences are real. In too many instances, not only are they the first criteria being used, they are often the only criteria. Yet it is a truth of human nature that as soon as we label any individual as a leader, we then create expectations of them, based on our own principles and levels of acceptable behavior.

Is it any wonder then, that so few “leaders” fail to live up to our expectations, when they’ve been handed the job without even looking at their resume?

A Challenge:

What if we first examined how we define leadership, before accepting the words of our friends, the media, campaign stickers and book reviews? And what if we then rejected any leader who could not demonstrate those qualities?

What are your three most important qualities in a leader? Who consistently demonstrates those qualities? I honestly would like to know. And to start things off, I’ll give you mine:

1. Self-actualized
2. Has a vision for the future
3. Demonstrated ability to put others before him/herself
4. Speaks and acts according to their principles before worrying about popularity.
5. Optimism

Craig Kielburger, a world leader at age 12

I am fortunate to know several people who demonstrate these qualities, but I doubt you know them. One you should know, pictured here, is  Craig Kielburger.

Finally, I challenge you to think about the qualities you use to define leadership, and then to demonstrate those qualities each day, consistently, for 30 days. The world can use more good leaders.

Tagged as: craig kielburger, leadership