Basics of Leadership

Leadership skills turn ordinary employees into highly motivated and highly committed individuals. For this simple reason, we can say that building leadership skills is extremely important. But first, what is leadership?
Leadership, they say, is first and foremost, behavior, and skills second. Good leaders are followed mainly because they are trusted and respected by the people they lead, rather than because they are admired for the skills they possess. Leadership is different to management. Management relies more on planning, and on organisational and communications skills. Leadership relies on management skills too, but more so on qualities such as integrity, honesty, humility, courage, commitment, sincerity, passion, confidence, positivity, wisdom, determination, compassion, sensitivity, and a degree of personal charisma.
Several factors contribute to the development of a leader. Obviously, the leader’s personal qualities are important, but also critical are the needs of the people being led and the objective they are pursuing. Some personality types thrive better in leadership roles than others, but leadership skills can be learned.
Leadership is about possessing integrity, having an effective appreciation towards corporate responsibility so that the need to make profit is balanced with wider social and environmental responsibilities, being very grown-up, leading by example, always being seen to work harder and more determinedly than anyone else, helping alongside your people when they need it, being firm and clear in dealing with bad or unethical behavior, listening to and really understanding people, being decisive but be seen to be making fair and balanced decisions, treating everyone equally and on merit, backing up and supporting your people, asking for people’s views, taking responsibility and blame for your people’s mistakes, and always giving your people the credit for your successes.
Leadership is never a finished product, but rather, it is an ongoing process that needs continuous nurturing and refinement.