EMMANUEL GOSPEL CHURCH
NATIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (Saturday Jan 22nd, 2011) SESSION TOPIC -UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP ELEMENTAL QUALITIES By Tunde Abimbola
Introduction: How often have you heard the comment, He or she is a born leader? There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where theyre looked up to as a leader. Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore further. What are the characteristics of a good leader? Where should you start if you want to be a good leader? What are the most important qualities of a good leader? In fact, what are the 10 most essential characteristics without which a person cannot become a good leader? This paper will attempt to put an answer to all these questions. Firstly, let us attempt to look at the meaning of the word qualities. In a succinct and precise meaning the word qualities means degree of excellence, while characteristics on its own part means distinctive feature. Incorporating these into our subject matter which is; understanding leadership elemental qualities simply connotes understanding the degree of excellence in leadership or the distinctive features of leadership. At this juncture, let us explore the qualities one after the other. 10 Elemental Characteristics or Qualities of Good Leadership The following are 10 characteristics that are absolutely necessary for being a good leader. 1. Character The first thing a good leader needs is a strong character. We all know of someone who is in a leadership position or is a leader with not so strong character, and we all know how these people end up. These leaders with not-so-strong characters often go down as fast as they climbed the ladder of success. Therefore, to be a good and sustainable leader character is the most important quality you need. Hard work places you on a ladder of success but character sustains you there 2. Communication If a leader can not do the rest of it, she at least needs to be good at this communication. The leadership and its implications revolve around this quality. It is an absolutely important quality a leader needs. The importance of communication can not be overemphasized for being a good leader. 3. Listening What goes hand in hand with communication is listening. A good leader needs to listen to her followers. She needs to get feedback on a regular basis, open his eyes and ears and keep
listening. Now a word of caution. Listening does not mean to blindly follow and accept everything that is said and shown. 4. Relationships The next important quality of a good leader is building and maintaining relationships. A good leader knows the importance of relationships. She knows that the strength of a leader comes from the people that follow and support her. And that is why a good leader takes good care in building relationships. 5. Vision Vision is important for everyone, leader or not, for their growth. But vision is especially important for those who as want to lead. Knowing what outcome you want from an assignment, a project or any task gives you authority and helps you and your team to have clear communication and well-defined expectations from each other. 6. Passion Passion is the fuel for your burning desires. It is a great leadership motivational tool. As a leader how motivated are you to lead? It is this quality that differentiates between the ordinary and the extraordinary. For being a good leader, it is important to know about the subject matter of the area you want to lead in. Passion is the first step of achievement. Therefore, find the passion to lead. 7. Positive Attitude The Yes Attitude, the power of positivity. This quality is a required not just for a leader but everybody. However, this is specially necessary for a leader. A Leader needs to be positive and motivate his team, in times that are hard and times that are brutal. When times are tough and his team is absolutely down, when times are really frustrating, a leader is the who carries his team and his organization forward and that is what a leader needs to do look at the bright side of each and everything. 8. Responsibility Ever heard of an irresponsible leader? No? Think again and a little harder. You will see a lot of them if you look around in the politics today. A leader influences people and has a lot of power to move his team and followers. An irresponsible leader can create a disaster if he does not act responsibly. 9. Decision Making Leaders make a lot of crucial and decisions. The ability to make good decisions is therefore essential for becoming a good leader. Decision making, the ability to make decisions, helps the leader make rights choices when there are several options and several paths to choose from. 10. Initiative By definition a leader is someone who takes the lead or initiative in some part of life. Taking lead in the crux of being a leader and this quality is inherent in a leader. Conclusion: It is pertinent to note that leadership is a skill that can be learnt, imbibed and exemplified. Leadership does take skill; we can learn some of them and thus develop our potential. You
don't have to be born with leadership. Chances are, you weren't. But you were born with a brain. If you can learn to swim or play checkers or do math, you can learn leadership and subdue your mind to learn the basic characteristics and qualities which great leaders possess. I think u can answer in mind now whether leaders are born or made.
