How to Apply Leadership Traits (1 of 3) - Effective Leadership

What is it that separates a true leader from someone who is merely a boss? The first and most important difference is internal. It' all about character. In the next couple of articles we will explore the leadership traits that will help you succeed and be a more effective leader.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• You've got everything you need. Attitude is everything for a leader. With your open mind, and practical application, you will succeed.

1. We will start with BEARING. Bearing is how you carry yourself. We've all seen the people that others gravitate towards right? It's more than just charisma or sex appeal. Bearing is also that indefinable aura of competence and trustworthiness. A person with good bearing is variously "Sir" or "Ma'am"

2. Your next trait to master is COURAGE. There are two types: Physical and Moral. Both are important and it is hard to say which is harder to master. Physical courage is often called Bravery. Moral Courage on the other hand is often not defined. In my world, the best way to define Moral Courage is to do the right thing, no matter if anyone is watching and keeping score or not.

3. DEPENDABILITY comes next. No one questions that when the chips are down you will do the right thing (courage) and that people will gravitate towards you in times of crisis (bearing). Being dependable means that you establish an ironclad pattern of always being reliable. You can be depended on to be on time, be knowledgeable about your work, and to do your very best no matter what.

4. Being a leader means that you are the one making the decisions. Being able to make sound and timely decisions using the best information you have at that time is key. DECISIVENESS means that when it comes time to make the call you will do it. Some decisions require enormous amounts of courage. Some decisions are mundane, but must be made.

5. Do you love your job? Are you completely dedicated to the mission statement of the organization? Is your team the absolute best at getting the job done? If all of these apply to you, then you have mastered the trait of ENTHUSIASM. Basically, your enthusiasm is contagious. If you are pumped, genuinely pumped up, it will show and be reflected by your seniors and your subordinates.

Tips & Warnings

• These sound easy. But the truth is that you have to look hard at yourself and apply them daily.

• Write these down. Keep them close and do an analysis of your actions in line with them.

• Apply them, you will get better with diligent effort.

• Don't try to fake any of them. A fake is easy to spot and will fail in the long run.