Leadership In Business and Life

Given the current pandemic situation the human race finds itself in, I thought a positive leadership blog made sense. The measure of a great leader is showcased through their ability to navigate difficult and uncertain times. When we think about it, extraordinary leaders need extraordinary times to demonstrate their skill set. Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union during the American Civil War and brought about the emancipation of slaves. Sir Winston Churchill led Britain to victory in the Second World War, despite overwhelming odds. It seems no great leader was ever defined by a period of relaxed, smooth sailing. The current global pandemic finds many of us in uncertain and challenging times. We are living through a time that will be remembered, written about and debated for the rest of human history. It is in times like these that great leaders will be defined.

We all have the chance to be great leaders right now. You might be the owner of a business that is having hard times. You might be a parent. You might be a police officer. You might be a checkout person at the local supermarket. The fact is we all need to consider how we conduct ourselves. We all need to be great leaders as our actions are going to be remembered. So with that in mind, let us consider some of the qualities and characteristics of a great leader.

Great leaders are great students

Being knowledgeable allows for a more objective and balanced assessment of a situation. Having filed through information regarding past and present circumstances, great leaders develop a gut instinct. The thing about being knowledgeable is that it requires consistent and conscientious effort. You need to be a student of life and take an interest, not just during difficult times, but at all times. There is no point in reading up on boat building once the rain is falling on your head. So let us all become great leaders by becoming great students.

 Great leaders are decisive  

At one point or another, leaders need to make decisions. There is no way around it. It might be a staff redundancy in a company, closing a country’s borders in a pandemic, or banning McDonald’s in your house. Leaders collect the information, weigh the options, do not rush, but do not procrastinate about making a decision. To be decisive, you need to be confident and believe in yourself. Great leaders believe they will prevail; that belief is a big part of the ability to be decisive.

Great leaders answer to a greater cause

It is not just about the money. It is about making a difference and changing the world, or at least your small corner of it. It is developing a great product or service that meets a need and adds value. This is often the thinking of great leaders. Chasing money will only get you so far. Developing lasting change that makes a difference in people’s lives will bring money and a legacy and, thus, a higher satisfaction level.

Great leaders have high standards

Through my marketing agency, I have the pleasure of often working with great leaders of very successful companies. Over the years, I have been consistently impressed by the high standards they keep. Good leaders realise it is often not what you say that motivates others; it is the example you set—actions, not words. Raising your standards gives way to those around you raising theirs. 

Leadership is all about consistency

I have met mean bosses, I have met friendly bosses, and I have met bosses in the middle. The leaders that had the most significant impact were the ones I could consistently depend upon. It did not matter if they were mean as a cut snake, as long as they were the same cut snake every day. This lets the people they are leading know when they are doing well and when they are off the mark. Without dependable consistency, the likelihood of people losing heart in the leader is elevated. You can not follow leaders into battle if you do not know with certainty how that leader might act on any given day.

I am sure there are other characteristics you might have seen demonstrated by the great leaders in your life. This is my list and the list that I depend upon when I am developing the great leader within me. If you try and embody some of these ideas, I am sure you will also tap into your inner leader. 

Thanks for reading, and I hope this short blog helps you live a better life.