Not everyone is born a leader, but it is possible to get better at it. This entails having a vision, knowing goals, and the ways to inspire people to follow. Being a leader doesn’t mean that one can do everything; it also means the ability to communicate and delegate tasks when it is reasonable.
Here is a simple example from student life – it is possible to relieve oneself from some of the academic load by deciding to order admission essay (or any other task) from professionals. This will not harm performance or academic stance in any way, and you will still be able to consider yourself a leader – after all, this only seems smart.
There are no two leaders who are the same. However, there is a set of necessary features to become one. Here is a list of such qualities presented with inspirational historical examples.
Be Confident
Yes, it sounds too easy. Still, confidence is incredibly important. First of all, it inspires others to follow. Secondly, it makes people take you seriously. If one doesn’t feel sure in personal decisions, then others won’t feel it either. It is crucial not only to make a decision but also to be confident about one’s vision.
A great example of confidence has been given to the whole world by Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most notable persons of the 20th century. He was a civil rights activist who fought fiercely for equality.
The activist inspired people around him, not only with words but also with confidence. His speech, “I have a dream” remains one of the most powerful addresses in history. He led the March on Washington and played a huge role in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that changed the racially discriminatory laws in the USA.
Aggression Is Not the Sign of Power
Some people think that leadership is hugely related to aggression, whether it is passive or active. In some cases, such an approach might be a way to reach the goal, yet it is not the best solution. Sometimes non-violent disobedience is much more powerful.
Ultimately, aggression is about forcing someone to something. And there is a much more efficient way to make people follow you – just inspire them with a personal example.
For instance, Mahatma Gandhi always chose non-violent protests to make his point. And it was very inspiring, as disobeying discriminatory laws made a massive difference for India and people all over the world. Ultimately, Gandhi’s name became synonymous with compassionate and peaceful activism.
Communication Is the Key
It is important to both communicate your vision to followers and persuade others. Also, it is essential to be able to deliver points effectively and persuasive enough to change someone’s mind. Communication is a very powerful tool because the majority of issues and problems can be solved with it.
One of the most significant examples of communication and oratory art is Sir Winston Churchill. Not only was he persistent in political choices and goals – but the British prime minister also knew that without communicating among world leaders, the peace could not be achieved after WWII.
Churchill is probably the most prominent wartime country leader in the history of the UK and the world. His speeches brought the nation together and helped the British stay strong during the war. He is also known for bringing the Americans and Soviets together to win the war.
Be Persistent
Another necessary skill is not only to be passionate about something but to remain persistent. The results do not come in one day; sometimes, it takes a lot of time to achieve a goal. And the bigger it is, the longer it might take. A great leader knows how to deal with frustration and continue doing one’s job.
Take, for example, Nelson Mandela. He was a civil rights activist who fought against apartheid and racial discrimination. He used to say that he will fight for racial equality until the end of his days. These words turned out to be true.
Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for political reasons. And only after that, he was released when he was 72 years old. One year later, Mandela became the first black and democratically elected President of South Africa. It took him almost all the life to achieve the goals he believed in – equality, end of apartheid, and democracy.
Be Companionate and Empathic
Empathy is a necessary skill to bring a leader closer to the followers. It is essential to listen to people and understand their needs to build an effective connection. A great leader is always interested in what others are going through.
One of the most inspiring empathic people known all over the world today is Oprah Winfrey.
She overcame personal trauma, discrimination, poverty, and became one of the most influential people of the century. She is known for her generosity, empathy, charity work, promoting literacy, helping people, and fighting inequality. She is also an inspiration for millions of women.
Wrapping Up
Historical personalities provide great examples of what a good leader should be like. It is important to make decisions, have a clear goal, and inspire followers.
It is also crucial to be compassionate and look for peaceful ways to achieve goals. Being a leader means to be an example of passion, commitment, honesty, and integrity.