Like many people, I’ve been around business long enough to hear the words leader and leadership far too many times. More often than not, leaders are leaders by position—or title—rather than possessing real leadership characteristics or displaying leadership traits. While it may be the most over-used term in business, real leadership is needed.
What I do know for certain, leadership means different things to different people. As for me? I’ll follow a leader that is unwavering with his or her core values. A strong set of values provides the foundation for good decision-making—good leadership. With a strong set of values, leaders can make the hard decision—the difficult and sometimes unpopular decision.
What about a natural born leader? Impossible. Character traits are learned. Values are learned. Leaders evolve. Leaders learn. Leaders grow.
I recently came across a quote from Henry Givray, CEO of SmithBucklin, the world’s largest association management and professional services company. Givray is quoted in the book On My Honor I Will: The Journey to Integrity-Driven Leadership, by Randy G. Pennington, as saying that “Leadership is not something that is bestowed upon you or granted to you by virtue of your title or position.” He continues “…leaders are shaped and defined by character.” I couldn’t agree more. (I’m looking forward to reading this book very soon.)
A leader with character traits that are centered on strong values is well on his or her way to having followers. And without followers, is one really a leader?
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