Leadership Leaves Clues – Here’s 5 Important Ones

As a business coach and executive trainer, I think a lot about what good leadership looks like.

Leadership is both influence and action. Leadership does not need to be a dramatic, fist in the air and trumpets blaring, activity.  Regardless of whether a person is leading a family or a nation, effective leadership begins with leading yourself well.

Personal leadership is tangible and includes the ability to turn vision into reality.  Good leadership leaves clues.  Here are five I think will ultimately determine how far your  leadership will extend.

Vivid vision.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” -Proverbs 29:18

 Self-Discipline.  “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

Courageous Communication.  “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” – Douglas MacArthur

BOLD Identity.  “The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.” – Sir Winston Churchill

Team.  “Leadership is the capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.” —General Montgomery

You earn your leadership every day. I have more than a few cohorts that love to say, “hope isn’t a strategy.” It may not be a strategy but it’s a darn good place to start.

“A leader is a dealer in hope.”  -Napoleon Bonaparte

Leadership can be cultivated and begins with thinking intentionally.  Many of the skills of great leaders are learned skills. That means you can become a better leader!  You might not think you can change the world, but if you start with your corner, you never know what might happen. Let’s find out!