When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to follow your leadership, they do it primarily because of one of two things: your character or your skills. They want to know if you are the kind of person they want to follow and if you have the skills to take them further. Yes, there are other variables but these are the
bulk of the matter. Now we're going to focus on the kind of character that causes people to follow your leadership.
1. Integrity.
Integrity is that you do what you say you will. You are trust-
worthy. People can rely on you. You keep your promises. The one
thing that will most keep people from following you is if they
can't know for sure if you will actually take them where you say
you will. Are you known as a person of integrity? If so, you will
become an extraordinary leader!
2. Optimistic.
People don't want to follow others who think the future is
bad! They want to follow those who can see the future and let them
know that there is a better place and that they can get them there!
Do you see the cup as half empty? Then you are a pessimist. Do you
see it as half full? Then you are an optimist. Do you see it as
totally full -- half air and half water? Then you are a super
optimist! Are you known as an optimist? If so, you will become an
extraordinary leader!
3. Embraces change.
Leaders are the ones who will see the need for change and willingly
embrace it. Followers will at first desire to stay where they are.
Leaders need to see the benefits of change and communicate them to
followers. If you don't change, you won't grow! Are you known as a
person who embraces change? If so, you will become an extraordinary
leader!
4. Risk taker.
Whenever we try something new, we are taking a risk. That is part
of growing though and it is imperative. Most people are risk averse.
Not the leader! They calculate the risk and what is to be gained
from taking the risk. Then they communicate that to the followers
and away they go to a better tomorrow! Are you known as a person
who is willing to take risks? If so, you will become an
extraordinary leader!
5. Tenacious.
The tendency of the follower is to quit when the going gets tough.
Two or three tries and their motto becomes "If at first you don't
succeed, give up and try something else." Not the leader! They
know what good lies beyond this brick wall and they will go and
get it. Then they will bring others with them! Are you known as a
person who is tenacious? If so, you will become an extraordinary
leader!
6. Catalytic.
A leader is ultimately one who gets people going. They are able
to move others out of their comfort zone and on toward the goal!
They can raise the passion, enthusiasm and the ACTION of those who
would follow. Are you known as a catalyst? If so, you will become
an extraordinary leader!
7. Dedicated/committed.
Followers want people who are more devoted and committed then
themselves. At the first sign of lack of commitment, followers
scatter for the doors. If the leader sees the end and is bailing
out, they better get out first. Followers follow those who will
stick it out because they see the importance of the task and the
goal. Are you known as a person who is committed and devoted to
the goal? If so, you will become an extraordinary leader!
