Defining leaders from followers

Charmaine Fernando

The world admires a leader who inspires his followers, stands by them in turmoil and shares their joy in triumph. Whether a leader is born or made, what actually matters is the ability to lead from the front, winning the confidence of those who look up to you. When confronted with challenges, every challenge being unique, a leader will have enough stamina not to quit and enough brilliance to come through. If you blaze new trails, shed new light, lead through innovation and foresight, all qualities that spell leadership you must be one.

Quotes on leadership

There are many witty sayings on what leadership means to people and society. Harold R. McAlindon says that ‘a leader may not follow where the path may lead. He goes instead where there is no path and leaves a trail’. Thomas Carlyle’s describes leadership in simple words; ‘the history of the world is but the biography of great men’. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wows, ‘what chance gathers, is easily scattered. A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together’.

The real leader has no need to lead; he is content to point the way says Henry Miller. Rely on your own strength of body and soul. Your self-reliance, faith, honesty and industry is your guide... Don’t take too much advice; keep at the helm and steer your own ship, and remember that the great art of commanding is to take a fair share of the work.

Fire above the mark you intend to hit. Energy, invincible determination with the right motive, are the levers that move the world, insists Noah Porter. John Quincy Adams believes that ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader’.

Defining leadership qualities

He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander warns Aristotle the great philosopher who left his mark with his powerful thinking. Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing defines Warren Bennis, giving us a clearer picture on true leadership.

The true leader concentrates on how to become better at leading people. Leadership can be defined as one’s ability to get others to willingly follow. Leaders can be found and nurtured if you look for the following character traits. A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. But it’s not enough to have a vision; leaders must also share it and act upon it. Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.

Leadership in action

Action is the mark of a leader and must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it.

He or she must communicate clearly and passionately and must have the discipline to work toward his vision determinedly, while directing the team toward the goal. Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values.

A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Honest dealings, predictable reactions, well-controlled emotions, and an absence of tantrums and harsh outbursts are all signs of integrity.

Leading by example

A leader inspires dedication by example, doing whatever it takes. By setting an excellent example, leaders can show followers that there are no nine-to-five jobs on the team, only opportunities to achieve something great.Magnanimity means giving credit where it is due.

Conversely, a good leader takes personal responsibility for failures. To spread the fame and take the blame is a hallmark of effective leadership. Feeling the pulse of the people Leaders with humility recognize that they are no better or worse than other members. A humble leader is not self-effacing but rather tries to elevate everyone. Leaders with humility also understand that their status does not make them a God. Openness builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and followers, and it also keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further its vision.