| Many people want to be a leader-they think it's | | | | let you know why they were unable to do so. |
| cool to be able to boss people around, have | | | | They set a good example of honesty and |
| people follow them, or to always be in the | | | | trustworthiness. |
| forefront getting all the glory. But that is a | | | | Take Responsibility |
| warped view of what leadership really is. There | | | | Leaders take responsibility for their own action |
| are 12 character traits of a good leader. Let's look | | | | and for the actions of their followers. They don't |
| at each of them in detail. | | | | shift the blame. |
| Leaders Serve Others | | | | Take Risks |
| This is a biggie. Leaders actually serve. They care | | | | Leaders are willing to take risks-try new ideas. |
| about others they are willing to get their hands | | | | They are not reckless but they are willing to |
| dirty. They come alongside people and get their | | | | experiment. |
| hand and feet muddy. They don't sit in their office | | | | Take Good Care of Themselves |
| just giving orders for someone else to do it. They | | | | Leaders have balance in their lives-they work and |
| are willing to show people how to get it done. | | | | they take time to enjoy life. They take time to |
| Develop Leadership in Others | | | | think and to relax. |
| Leaders train others to become leaders. They | | | | Are Good Followers |
| believe in and trust the people who follow them. | | | | Leaders seek mentors whom they can follow. No |
| They share, delegate, give and share credit to | | | | one knows everything and because a leader is |
| others for their ideas and contributions. They are | | | | willing to learn new things he is more apt to follow |
| not a "glory hog". | | | | one who is more knowledgeable. |
| Listen to Others and Communicate Effectively | | | | The truth is that good leaders were once good |
| Leaders listen to the counsel of others. They | | | | followers. And even in that capacity they thought |
| listen to the criticism of others. They are not | | | | before acting, planned ahead, were considerate of |
| defensive. They don't get angry nor do they wilt | | | | others, were willing to serve, re-evaluated their |
| away. They accept and even welcome impute | | | | decisions in light of new information, were open to |
| from others for they know it is a way to make | | | | learning, desired to be better and to do better, |
| the situation better or themselves better. | | | | and was able to communicate-thoughts and ideas |
| Good Planners and Decision Makers | | | | in an effective manner. But they did more too. |
| Leaders work with others to set goals and | | | | They were willing to ask questions of the leader, |
| develop schedules. | | | | they didn't blindly follow but they were wise in |
| Inspire Others | | | | their decision to follow the leader-they knew, |
| Leaders inspire others to do their best, to try | | | | understood and agreed with the direction the |
| harder, and to remove the limits on their dreams. | | | | leader was going. They didn't follow the leader if it |
| Yes, they inspire their followers to do what they | | | | would have hurt themselves or someone |
| never imagined was possible. | | | | else-they utilized their intelligence. By using your |
| Learn and Grow | | | | intelligence it will save time and will give you a |
| Leaders are in a continual process of learning. | | | | chance to grow and learn from others. Neither a |
| They look for better ways to do things. | | | | leader nor a follower allows someone else to think |
| Positive Attitude | | | | for them. They assess the situation, they review |
| Leaders are "the glass is half full" type of people. | | | | the facts, they gather opinions, and then they |
| They are alert, energetic, optimistic, resilient, and | | | | make a decision for themselves. |
| hopeful-in spite of disappointments or setbacks. | | | | If you want to be a leader of tomorrow |
| Have Integrity | | | | today-develop the character of a good leader and |
| Leaders have integrity, they are true to their | | | | you can start by being a good follower. Are you |
| word-and if they can't keep their word they will | | | | willing to learn? |