Leadership skills

Definition of leadership

"A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved.

  He inspires the power and energy to get it done."  -Ralph Nader.

"If  your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more

  and become more, you  are a leader." -John Quincy Adams.

"Leadership shows judgement, wisdom, personal appeal 

  and proven competence."- Walt Disney.

"Great leaders are both idealistic and realistic. 

  They have a grand vision and great goals." -Michael Josephson.

Leadership and learning

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." -John F. Kennedy.

Leadership and action

"Leadership  is action, not position." - Donald H. McGannon.

"Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better." -Bill Bradley.

"Leaders become great, not because of their power, 

  but because of their ability to empower others." -John Maxwell.

"Action not words determines leadership." - Jeffrey Benjamin.

"Successful leaders have the courage to make action, when others hesitate." -John Maxwell.

Leadership and vision

"Leadership is the ability to translate vision into reality." -Warren Bennis.

"Leader live by choice, not by accident." - Mark Gorman.

Leadership and responsibility

"Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses." -Willard Mitt Romney.

"Management is about arranging and telling.

 Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing."  -Tom Peters.
"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership."-Harvey S. Firestone.
"Leaders must be dependable people -ALL THE TIME." -Charles C. Krulak.

Leadership and innovation

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." -Steve Jobs.

Leadership and success

"Successful leaders lead with the heart, not just the head.

They possess qualities like empathy, compassion and courage." -Bill George.

"Before your a leader, success is all about growing yourself.

When you become a leader, success is all about growing all others." -Jack Welch.

What is leadership?.

Leadership is the ability to inspire and align others to successfully achieve common goals. According to U.S Army Hand Book, leadership is influencing people - by providing purpose, direction and motivation - while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization. The effective building blocks of quality leadership are the skills of communication, motivation, organizational development, management and creativity. Generally, leaders have a complex mixture of many traits, values and perceptions. Leadership cannot be taught, but it can be learned.

Theories on leadership

Leadership trait theory says that there are defined personality traits that distinguish leaders from followers. In other words, leaders are different types of people from followers.

Behavioral theories of leadership state that it is the behavior of leaders that distinguishes them from their followers. In other words, leadership is a skill that can be taught.

Situational leadership theories state that a leader emerges to fit the situation. Different people will take the lead in different situations. This suggests that different situations require different skills.

Characteristics of a leader

1..Personal integrity
2.Personal responsibility
3.Empathy
4.Adaptability
5.Good communication skills
6.Remain calm in crisis

Five qualities of a collaborative leader

1. Willingness to take risks
2. Eager listeners 
3. Passion for the cause
4. Optimistic about the future
5. Able to share power and credit.

                               "The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards 
                                    they set for themselves." - Ray Kroc