Each of us has leadership potential, waiting to be unraveled. But discovering such power can be a challenge. Some have successfully harnessed the power within them, while others failed or simply gave up. The following are some helpful insights and suggestions:
SELF-DISCOVERY
Where do you start discovering the leader within you? The first step is knowing yourself. But self-discovering can be difficult, but it surely can be done; and age is not a barrier.
Self-analysis is the best way to discover yourself. Ask yourself questions that are engaging and critical, those that are related to your skills, knowledge, as well as the way you relate to people around you. Some self-analytical questions are the following:
1. What am I most passionate about? 2. Which activities am I better at than my friends, siblings, or peers? 3. Which activities which I don't get tired or bored about? 4. What are my most unique, outstanding qualities? 5. How good are my decision-making skills? 6. What positive attributes do people identify in me? 7. Do I feel genuinely for other people? 8. Do I feel like guiding and helping others? 9. Am I able to encourage and motivate others?
Your answer to these questions will reveal your skills, interests, personality traits and lead you to the right career choice. Consider a professional self-analysis test on reputable online sites or institutions, or consult a career expert. You can also attend professional leadership training courses.
KEY LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Motivating:
The essential element that separates mediocre from the achievers is strong self-motivation. The key factors that keep a person motivated are positive attitude, desire, passion, high energy levels, and goal-focus. True and great leaders know and understand the need to motivate people.
Initiative:
Taking initiative in your role is an essential leadership skill. As what the popular Steve Jobs stated, "Innovation distinguishes a leader and a follower."
Balanced People and Task Orientation:
Popularity is not true leadership. What is true and effective leadership is about balancing people and task orientation, as the situation requires, making sure that people are self-motivated and performing their best towards excellence. In addition, strong and effective communication skills and a decent personality equips you in becoming a great leader in any profession.
ADAPTING LEADERSHIP STYLE
Your leadership style is largely if not solely based on your personality strengths and traits.
Finance, technology, and engineering careers require an analytical style of leadership with strengths in facts and figures, and research. For a career in marketing, develop optimism, communication, time management, high-energy levels, and a participative style of leadership that thrives on goal and team orientation.
But what happens if your career requires fast thinking and decision-making like in times of emergency situations? Police and surgeons, for example, oftentimes find themselves in situations requiring an authoritative style of leadership. It is important to recognize that leadership skills are always tested in challenging and unpredictable situations. A police officer, surgeon, or CEO sometimes tend to take authoritative decisions as required by situations, but also apply their innate leadership styles such as, inspirational, transformational, and charismatic.
Therefore, leadership style is a result of an understanding of the situation and the needs of the people being led. Develop a style of leadership as demanded by your career, and adapt and/or modify to the challenges.
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To discover and/or develop the leader in you, consider leadership training courses by Institute for Communication Management and Leadership. Follow these links for more information:
http://icmlhelp.webgarden.com/leadership-management/blog/good-points-of-leadership
http://ezinearticles.com/?Various-Skills-That-Corporate-Managers-Need&id=8001081
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