Leadership is a skill that can be learned. Some people seem to be natural leaders, but that doesn’t necessarily make them good at it. I worked for 12 years helping to groom student leaders. Some of the students came in and you knew right off the bat that they were already leaders and just needed to be fine-tuned. Others came in and although they wanted to be a leader, they didn’t have the confidence that was necessary in order to get others to follow them.
Some People Seem to Be Born With Natural Leadership Skills
One leader, in particular, got elected president of the students’ association, and you knew without a doubt that she was meant to be a leader. She genuinely cared about other’s opinions, was extremely organized, and treated people with respect. Because of that, she got it. We were there to teach her, but instead, she taught us so much.
You Have You Want to Serve
People are more than willing to follow when they know you care about them. If you are there to serve other’s needs and not just your own ego, you’ve already got one of the most important ingredients. You earn trust by addressing the feelings, needs, and concerns of those you lead.
Here are 6 ingredients to develop leaders that I learned from Cindy Samuelson, one of my mentors who I love and respect, and who has earned the title of leader:
Love – Show genuine love towards those you are leading.
Nuture – Nuture them just like you would your own children.
Protect – Protect them like a the mama bear protecting her cub. Be willing to go to bat for them.
Teach – Teach them the skills necessary to grow with confidence.
Discipline – Discipline them with respect, in private, when they are doing things that are going to hurt them.
Respect – Treat them with respect. Basically, follow the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Lead with Confidence
Respect is earned, and if you treat others with respect, you will be respected in return. It starts with confidence. If you don’t feel confident yet, read the books and follow the leaders you respect and emulate what they do. It takes time and more than likely, a few mistakes, but if you really want it, you can develop the skills to be the kind of leader you would want to follow.
I believe in servant leadership. What kind of leader to you like to follow?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Connie,
Great and sound advice! I heard someone once say, “leaders are not born, they are made.” I believe that. We have it inside of us to be a leader. Oftentimes we just give in to doubt and limiting beliefs and don’t allow ourselves to grow into our full potential.
I agree with reading books on personal development and following leaders we admire and learning from them.
Thanks for sharing your insights!
Ilka
Ilka Flood recently posted..Will Your Daily Habits Determine Your Success in Network Marketing
Ilka, I totally agree that so often doubt and limiting beliefs hold us back. Thanks for adding that; it’s an important fact. If we’re good leaders we can, through listening and encouraging, help to prevent that from happening.
I’m so glad you stopped by again. I really enjoy your comments.
Connie