Successful Leadership Skills - Qualities that Make the Leader of the 21ST Century - Report Example

Qualities That Make the Leader of the 21ST Century "A manager takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they dont necessarily want to go, but ought to be." Rosalyn Carter, the US first lady, rightly stated what leadership is all about. Being herself in the category of leaders and also having led her life with one, she knew what she was talking about. The specific traits, , be they inherent or learnt of any leader set him apart from the rest of the crowd. There are certain qualities in a leader that allow him to be remembered by people and stay in the history books, even long after he is no more. In the 21st century, with the advent of technology and the ever increasing responsibility, on the shoulders of people and leaders, leadership has taken on a new meaning. In this global village only a people’s leader succeeds in making his mark. The leader of 21st century has to carry his people along with the world. With the people becoming more aware of the realities of the world and what they want for themselves, in terms of government and leadership; certain qualities or traits can be specified which make the leader of 21st century. 1. Honesty Honesty in a leader is of extreme significance. Honesty finds its roots in behavioral theory, according to which, the traits of a leader can be learnt rather than being inherited. A leader who has all his dealings rooted in honesty is reliable for the people. When a leader is known not to cheat or default to gain his ends, he builds up a blind trust with people. People start trusting him in all affairs; they believe whatever he tells them. But with such trust also comes a great responsibility and that is why honesty becomes such a significant trait; for an honest leader will never exploit the trust of his people and use it against them. Abraham Lincoln is the best example of that. Having a leader like him in the 21st century will definitely make the difference. Also known as the “Honest Abe”, before his election as the American President, his followers and the people of America trusted his honesty in all instances. Having the presidency and power over a great country and nation didn’t even corrupt his honesty. Not only was Abraham Lincoln absolutely honest in the affairs of the nation and the people, but also he maintained honesty in his family and personal matters. As Robert Rutledge puts it “Lincolns judgment was final in all that region of country. People relied implicitly upon his honesty, integrity, and impartiality”. In the 21st century, where leaders are everything but honest, honesty can surely make people trust their leaders again. 2. Compassion Feeling someone’s sorrow, suffering and misfortune and having the true desire to help them in such a state is referred to as compassion. Compassion in a leader is especially important. For a nation or people oft-times suffer from bad times, natural disasters and much more; and in such times when a leader understands the suffering of the people, it leads to increasing the level of devotion of the people. The more devotion the people feel for the leader, the better it is for their joint cause and goals. Compassion can be in many forms; it can simply be understanding and adopting another person’s view point, or it can be the understanding of their problems and anxieties. According to the Greenberg study, three identical manufacturing plants were chosen for pay cuts. In one of the plants, the executive said that he will answer a few questions and then depart to catch a plane. For the second plant the executive, said that he will answer all of the employee’s questions for an hour. After the announcement of the pay cut, the theft rates for both the plants went up, but the rates were higher in plant one. The executive in plant two demonstrated compassion towards the employees and shared their misfortune, also taking the time to comfort them. Compassion from the boss increases corporate value. After the pay was restored the theft rates again decreased back to normal. Compassion, based in the implicit leadership theory, makes leaders do good things for people and have a kind heart. Compassion inspires hope and optimism in people. When a leader does good things, those good things also have good consequences. 3. Inspiration Inspiration, a major characteristic of transformational leadership, can actually transform people into goal oriented masses. A leader, who leads by inspiring its followers, is actually giving them a chance to grow and rise with him. Such people have a strong vision about the future. They have strong moral ideals and values. It is these morals and values that actually enable them t inspire the people. This is the true form of leadership. The leader and the people share the same morals, ideals and values. As John Quincy Adams quotes: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”. As inspirational leaders inspire others, they themselves are open to inspiration. They learn from others as they go along. Inspiration allows leaders to motivate their followers into aiming for a single goal and not rest until their ends have achieved. In the 21st century, inspiration in a leader is much needed for. An inspirational leader has a true sense of reality. He is in touch with reality and quite aware of the facts and figures, yet he chooses to believe in a better tomorrow, also transmitting his optimism to his followers, allowing them to believe in a better tomorrow. An inspirational leader knows that he is not a celebrity, rather a man of the people, who works with the people, as they together grow. Bill Gates is an example of such a leader. He rose from nothing to everything and carried the people along with him. From Microsoft to the Malinda Gates Foundation, he has certainly proven that he can inspire people as a leader. His ideas and values prove a source of inspiration for others, thus enabling the people around him to realize and utilize their full potential. 4. Empathy Charismatic leadership displays empathy as a shining characteristic. In the 21st century world, where every man for himself kind of mentality has taken over the people as well as the leaders, empathy is very crucial in a leader. Having a strong relationship with ones’ followers or staff members can certainly make all the difference in the world. Empathy leads to loyalty of the followers. If the followers of a leader are not sure of his concern for them, they are most likely to harbor feelings of resentment and being used. They will be subjected to negative feelings against the leader. But if a leader is empathetic towards those who follow him, they will consider him one of them and share his good and bad times. An empathetic leader allows the followers to feel and become a part of his vision, while he, himself becoming a part of theirs. Such a leader makes his followers strong. The people who follow an empathetic leader also display strong self leadership, and control over their decisions. Such a group of followers has a strong group identity and also greater satisfaction can be observed. An empathetic leader gives people hope of being better and prosperous eve in the roughest of times. Sheikh Zayed is an example of a charismatic leader, who displayed the benign quality of empathy. Sheikh Zayed became the ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. What happened to the fate of Abu Dhabi after his becoming ruler is no secret. The world saw Abu Dhabi develop with leaps and bounds. In no time the people of Abu Dhabi were experiencing a better standard of living. Soon after the ruler ship of the sheikh began, Abu Dhabi saw an advent of development in all imaginable areas of life. The common man was getting access to standard education, health facilities, infrastructure and jobs. The empathy that the sheikh showed towards his people gave him a special place in their hearts. Sheikh Zayed not only gave Abu Dhabi a new direction but also as the president of the 7 members of the Supreme Council of Rulers, he showed his leadership skills. The UAE saw an upsurge of development in all areas of life, be they social, financial, economical or technological. The pace at which this development occurred, the world is a witness to that. 5. Communication The relationship between a leader and his followers is only as strong as their communication. The more adequately the vision and goals of a leader are communicated to his followers; the better will be the response from his followers. Situational leaders are very good with communication skills. They have the dominating tendency of extempore communication. Ronald Reagan is one such leader, who could communicate with ease and adequacy of ideas with his followers. He was called as the “Great Communicator”. His tendency to communicate his thoughts and ideas effectively even helped him later on in life when he joined the media industry. The way he could communicate with his followers is history and still people remember him for it. His body language uttered the same words as his tongue. Communication is the essence of leadership. A person might have extraordinarily bright and brilliant ideas, but he is unable to communicate them to the masses, nothing will come f them. Communication as the most important skill: I believe that of all the five leadership skills, communication is the most significant of all. Without communication tendency there can be no leadership. As Warren Bennis says, "Leadership is an attempt at influencing the activities of followers through the communication process and toward the attainment of some goal or goals.” A leader who can’t communicate his ideology and vision, has no place in the media oriented 21st century. When every single word uttered by any leader reaches every corner of the world, it is very easy to make friends or enemies. A leader who can communicate his ideas well has great influence over the people. Leadership is all about having influence over the people. An influential leader can change the course of history with the words that he utters. Ronald Reagan is a clear example of it, that when he utilized his gift f the gab, it made all the difference in the world for him and his followers. A leader may have strong and powerful ideas but in this world of shared hopes and ambitions, if the leader is unable to communicate those ideas to the people; it matters not what the ideas hold, they will simply have no effect on the people. The whole idea behind successful communication is to align the minds, ideas and thoughts of the leader and the followers. If the followers think that the leader does not think like them, then they will simply not follow him, for he does not represent them. The 21st century demands very high standards, not only from the lay man but also from those who lead them. It is a century of huge wars being fought, people scampering for their rights, people dying of hunger; but at the same time looking for men to lead in the troubled times. People with exceptional traits and qualities like honesty, empathy, compassion, inspiration, and most importantly communication can make the difference in this war ridden world. References Baldoni, J. (2009, March 7). Wnted: Inspirational Leaders. Harvard Business Review Blog Network. Retrieved from http://blogs.hbr.org/baldoni/2009/03/wanted_inspirational_leaders.html Javitch, D G. (2009, December 9). 10 Characteristics of Superior Leaders. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/204248 Leidner, G. (1999, Februaru 20). Abraham Lincolns great laws of truth, integrity: A long career ruled by honesty. Lincoln’s Honesty. Retrieved from http://www.greatamericanhistory.net/honesty.htm Mohler, A. (2004). Leadership Lessons from President Ronald W. Reagan. CP Opinion. Retrieved from http://www.christianpost.com/news/leadership-lessons-from-president-ronald-w-reagan-6106/ Read More