I was recently involved in a discussion that asked, “What makes a leader?” I answered with my simple reply: a leader is someone who looks behind him/her and sees people following. Easy. If no one is following you you’re not a leader.
A better question perhaps is, “What makes a good leader?” Hmmm. Good as in the size of the crowd that follows? Good as in the weirdness of the things the crowd will do at the prompting of the leader? Good as in the impact on the followers? There are plenty of mass leaders who lead their followers right off a cliff, or into a compound, or sexual bondage. So then that begs the question, “What makes an ethical leader?”
But by far the best question when considering leadership is, “What makes a leader effective?” I believe it is awareness. A conscious leader is aware that he has followers and that he has a definite impact on them. She knows that people are watching, learning, imitating, duplicating, and promoting. An unconscious leader is aware of none of those things. The unconscious leader is like a bull in a China shop.
There is a responsibility that comes with being a leader. Even if he has not chosen it, or she refuses to accept it, she is a leader nonetheless. If s/he is one, s/he might as well learn to do it well. Leadership comes in all shapes, sizes and formats. Leadership principles can be found everywhere. I recently attended the Genghis Kahn exhibit at the Denver Museum of Science and History. That man was a leader. I also recall seeing books on the leadership strategies of Attila the Hun, and leadership principles of Jesus Christ. Most recently I saw a TED video clip that referenced the leadership styles of orchestra conductors. I was aware of conductor’s physical expressions: the waving of arms and tossing of hair and pointing to different sections. But did not know that facial expressions, body language, and energy essence are utilized just as deliberately. Utterly fascinating.
Check it out – Lead Like the Great Conductors.
Wowsers. No sooner did publish this post than someone sent me this very cool link of leadership definitions:
