While it is a challenge to work with others at times, it is critical to learn how to work with others in order to strengthen the ability to communicate and problem solve. Sometimes people are put into leadership roles when they aren’t cut out to be the Leader. A great leader tends to be a great listener, shows fairness to all, and keeps their goals in sight.
Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.– Dwight D. Eisenhower
In order to be a leader and to accomplish the goal of the group, the leader needs to be able to listen to every member. If the leader doesn’t care about what the other group members have to say, then the group members will not feel important and will most likely not be willing to work with the leader, causing division within the group. While the leader is the one leading everyone else, they must be able to take in how the rest of the group feels and make decisions based on everyone’s ideas. When a leader is able to really listen to the group, there is a sense of cammoderie between members which can lead to better communication, stronger work ethic, and more likeliness to accomplish their goals.
Another valuable trait of a great leader is their ability to treat everyone fairly with a high level of respect for each person. While a leader is in a powerful position, they must realize that the people around them are there to help and need to be treated with dignity. When leaders aren’t fair to their group members there can be animosity towards each other leading to issues that can end up hurting the overall morale of the group. When there is tension between group members, it is easily sensed by the others. Problems like this that arise can distract everyone’s attention from the beginning goal to trying to figure out how to get the group to get along.
Lastly, leaders must be able to keep the goal clear and in sight. If the leader keeps the group on track with a set goal, they are much more likely to accomplish that goal in a timely and precise manner. Leaders much be able to keep group members from being distracted.
While some are “born leaders”, every leader goes through learning periods. No great leader has lived and never made a mistake. Leaders are created when an individual is able to rise above their circumstances and take control of their situation by changing what was causing the problem. They learn how to become a great leader by learning how to communicate with others and by learning what is successful when dealing with others and what fails. In order for a great leader to be able to perform to their full potential, they have to go through times where they weren’t the best. They know what it’s like to be on the bottom and what it’s like to be under a leader. Great leaders learn from their group members as well as other leaders. They take into consideration what works in certain situations and what doesn’t. A great leader is always learning and doesn’t stop asking questions. A great leader is a great student. In order to teach others, they need to be teachable as well. When a leader see themselves as equal with the other group members, their goals can be much easier to achieve.
Becoming a great leader is an ongoing process. They are conscientious of others and their feelings and ideas, they treat everyone with fairness and respect, and they set the goal clearly in front of the whole group.
