Leadership skills: Do you have them?, Can it be developed? is it a natural thing? is it both? Options

[BlueAway]

From my experiences in workplaces so far, leaders seem to have the following qualities:

-when they speak, it attracts people's attention. its either the choice of words they use, how they express their ideas, or just the strength of their personality or combinations of these three.

- a can-do attitude where if something goes wrong, they do not panic and can think of the most practical solution

- has a natural ability to read people and know their strengths and weaknesses and can exploit them for their strengths and limit their weaknesses

I think the mainstream public sees leaders in the business world as the attractive, well dressed guy who speaks well. That's not always the case. There are some exceptional leaders who are socially awkward but when it comes to the job at hand, they have a knack for knowing how to organize and lead people to get the job done in the most efficient manner.

So what is leadership? It seems it takes a special breed of people to be leaders. They have to have the right combination of vision, confidence, natural affinity with people, creativity and temperment. Take away any of these and it won't work.

Can these qualities be developed over time? Are they also specific to the company and your specific circumstance? Perhaps some people can only be good leaders in certain circumstances and settings.

Which qualities does someone with leadership potentail exhibit? Which qualities can be developed over time and experience?

Discuss please.

[deeme2000]

I agree with you. Some people just have that x-factor that make them inspiring as leaders. But I think it can be developed as well. For one, if you're not comfy with public speaking, practice it.

Leaders have this carisma when they speak...it feels like they're talking directly to you despite being in a room full of tons of people. They look at people in the eye when they talk and never loose their cool (you hit those points right on the mark).

It can be developed if you really want it.

The first book my professor (who I did respect at the time) recommended to me was Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power. It's not a 'nice' guy type of book...but I think you'll find it interesting (assuming you haven't read it already).

Actually I plan on following in the footsteps of the leader I've observed thru the years...plan on taking over a few corps...

[i_is_pepito]

both. a bit of instinct and a bit of learning. the instinct part brings you halfway home.

[Eendje]

im quite good in leading. im just too nice to be a leader though. no sarcasm intended here.

[BlueAway]

I agree with you. Some people just have that x-factor that make them inspiring as leaders. But I think it can be developed as well. For one, if you're not comfy with public speaking, practice it.

Leaders have this carisma when they speak...it feels like they're talking directly to you despite being in a room full of tons of people. They look at people in the eye when they talk and never loose their cool (you hit those points right on the mark).

It can be developed if you really want it.

The first book my professor (who I did respect at the time) recommended to me was Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power. It's not a 'nice' guy type of book...but I think you'll find it interesting (assuming you haven't read it already).

Actually I plan on following in the footsteps of the leader I've observed thru the years...plan on taking over a few corps...

sounds like an interesting read. I'll have to pick it up. But I'm scared that by reading it, I'll take it to much to heart and become paranoid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_48_Laws_of_Power

Greene uses anecdotes from notable historical figures such as Talleyrand, Otto von Bismarck, Catherine the Great, Mao Zedong, Haile Selassie, Lola Montez and various con artists in order to exemplify the 48 rules. Published in September 1998, the book has been compared to Sun-Tzu's The Art of War, which was originally written as an explanation of simple Chinese military strategy. Greene takes an amoral approach, leaving the reader to weigh the ethical implications of the laws.

oh I am sooo reading this now.

This post has been edited by BlueAway: Feb 25 2007, 07:40 PM

[Mizz_Luv3r]

I don't mean to brag, but my co-workers seem to look up to me as their leader. They run everything by me and they think that everything I do or say is worth rembering and practicing. Well, some of my co-workers work better when they get ordered around. I'm known as "the principle" at my workplace.

But I think that everyone is a leader in their own way, on certain things. Some people just have more confidence to act out on it. Sometimes, the right situation arises and brings the leader out of a person.

This post has been edited by Mizz_Luv3r: Feb 25 2007, 07:48 PM

[BlueAway]

But I think that everyone is a leader in their own way, on certain things. Some people just have more confidence to act out on it. Sometimes, the right situation arises and brings the leader out of a person.

I hope so. I'm pretty aloof most of the time. I don't really like to lead people and tell them what to do. I just sort of look for a way to do the best job I can that will fit into puzzle. I don't really try to influence what other people do. And I've never been in a situation yet where I've had to lead others. My boss or someone more experienced is usually always around in these high pressure situations. So I'm curious as to how I will react if I need to step it up.

[Mizz_Luv3r]

I usually don't like bossing my friends or coworkers around. But if I don't, the work won't get done and I would have to fix everything later.

I'm sure that when it comes down to you having to pay for another person's mistake, you'll take the leadership role to prevent it from happening. OR If you could do something to help someone else, taking the initiative to do something for them is also leadership material.

[mndeg]

me, me, I do. but most people at my uni are stupid though, so I have to condense and reformat information so it's understandable to them.

[PB.]

I don't think I have leadership skills but I can't stand being a follower.

[Subotai]

Leadership is simple - It's helping people
That's natural leadership, they assume leadership and automatically become annointed into that role.

Charm, authority, presence, organization, experience and example are important but these skills are gained as long as one has the heart to lead.

[hakseng]

I don't think I have leadership skills but I can't stand being a follower.

[deeme2000]

have you ever run into those types that can't help but be a leader? people just naturally look towards them for answers and guidance in most situations?

i first noticed that quality in my bf and that made me want to be more outgoing and the 'go-to' person as well. that's why i think some of it is instinct and some of it you can learn

BlueAway- I hope you do pick it up. Let me know what you think of it!

[SevenEighthsAsia...]

From my experiences in workplaces so far, leaders seem to have the following qualities:

-when they speak, it attracts people's attention. its either the choice of words they use, how they express their ideas, or just the strength of their personality or combinations of these three.

- a can-do attitude where if something goes wrong, they do not panic and can think of the most practical solution

- has a natural ability to read people and know their strengths and weaknesses and can exploit them for their strengths and limit their weaknesses

I think the mainstream public sees leaders in the business world as the attractive, well dressed guy who speaks well. That's not always the case. There are some exceptional leaders who are socially awkward but when it comes to the job at hand, they have a knack for knowing how to organize and lead people to get the job done in the most efficient manner.

So what is leadership? It seems it takes a special breed of people to be leaders. They have to have the right combination of vision, confidence, natural affinity with people, creativity and temperment. Take away any of these and it won't work.

Can these qualities be developed over time? Are they also specific to the company and your specific circumstance? Perhaps some people can only be good leaders in certain circumstances and settings.

Which qualities does someone with leadership potentail exhibit? Which qualities can be developed over time and experience?

Discuss please.

Practice speaking in front of a mirror

[BlueAway]

have you ever run into those types that can't help but be a leader? people just naturally look towards them for answers and guidance in most situations?

i first noticed that quality in my bf and that made me want to be more outgoing and the 'go-to' person as well. that's why i think some of it is instinct and some of it you can learn

BlueAway- I hope you do pick it up. Let me know what you think of it!

ah so leadership qualities are attractive to girls too. Damn it!! I need to work on it then. Do you find your boyfriend sexy cause of his leadership qualities? Does it turn you on when he takes command of the situation?

[Captain_Obvious]

dont mix up the differences between charisma and leadership.

[BlueAway]

dont mix up the differences between charisma and leadership.

i think a lot of good leaders have charisma as well.

[tree]

Leadership is simple - It's helping people
That's natural leadership, they assume leadership and automatically become annointed into that role.

Charm, authority, presence, organization, experience and example are important but these skills are gained as long as one has the heart to lead.

Agreed.

But, I also believe that some are born to be leaders. It's not something that can be taught.

[freefallz]

Leadership is more about a particular type of mentality, a mixture of assertiveness, decisiveness and pro-active thinking.

[Subotai]

Agreed.

But, I also believe that some are born to be leaders. It's not something that can be taught.

I beg to differ - no one is born a leader
After one year encouraging my mate, he has become a supervisor at his workplace - so if he has learnt leadership - anyone can learn.