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Qualities of a LeaderQualities of a Leader

Paul Keogan

Apr 10 2003

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Why is Leadership ImportantWhy is Leadership Important

In a services organization it is the ONLY long term strategic advantage

People follow people with leadership traits --

People don’t follow based on organizational level

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Can Leadership be Learned?Can Leadership be Learned?

YES Organizational & Personally

BUTYou need certain traits

– For some these traits come naturally– For most of us we need to work on them

throughout our lives

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Indispensable Qualities of a Indispensable Qualities of a LeaderLeader

Common Qualities of Leaders throughout History

Leadership Theorist vs. someone who people passionately follow

What Attracts people to leaders?Leadership takes time

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CharacterCharacter

Character Inspires Confidence– It is determined by Actions not Words– Talent is a gift, Character is a Choice– People who have success without character are often

arrogant and destructive

Always look for ways to improve your own character.– Concentrate and envision your next decisions– Look for patterns in your own behavior

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CharismaCharisma

Is the Ability to draw people toward you– What are the characteristics

Enjoying Life and People, being Passionate Think highly of others, see the good in people Share yourself

– Roadblocks Pride Insecurity Moodiness Unrealistic Cynicism

– Play the first impression game

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CommitmentCommitment

People follow people committed to a cause Starts in the Heart and is followed by Action What are you committed to?

– What are your personal goals– What will you do to achieve them– Do you quit if the situation isn’t perfect – always

searching for that perfect place– What happens to you when the going gets rough, when

you face new challenges

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CommunicationCommunication Make it simple, make it short. Be Clear. Be Consistent Understand your audience Know when to not communicate When you walk away from a conversation is it your

goal to 1. make the other person think you’re the smartest person in

the world OR2. Make them think they are the smartest person in the world.– Go for “2” its worth more in the long run and you’ll achieve

“1” more often

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CourageCourage

Builds on Character and CommitmentIts not the absence of fear, but doing what is

right in the face of fearIts not smoothing things over – not giving

false hope and praiseCourageous acts often bring unexpected

positive results

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FocusFocus

Focus on what your good at.– 75% on your strengths– 20% on new things– 5% on your weaknesses

Staff your weaknesses, not your strengths

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InitiativeInitiative

Start, put yourself in the gameTake risksDon’t wait for opportunityMake lots of mistakesAlways take the next step

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ListeningListening

Encourage people to tell you what you need to know NOT what you want to hear

Be respectiveful Seek people to listen to

– Peers– Competitors– Mentors– Customers

Leaders learn more from listening Make Time for it

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Responsibility & OwnershipResponsibility & Ownership

Never embrace the Victim MentalityProduce results regardless of the situationYou always need to be more committed to

your tasks than anyone else– You should inspire that quality in your

followers

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Self- DisciplineSelf- Discipline

Develop and Follow PrioritiesChallenge ExcusesRemove rewards until the job is completeStay Focused on Results

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ServanthoodServanthood

Put others first Posses the confidence to serve:

– your followers– People who don’t respect you– People you don’t respect– Position should not matter

Serve even if only looking for something in return – That attitude will always change

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TeachabilityTeachability

Difficulties often rooted in early achievement– You think your smart and can’t learn from

others

Trade in your pride– You can learn from everyone

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Positive AttitudePositive Attitude

Your attitude is your choice

Your attitude determines your actions

Condition your mind to win