Here is the rest of what a leader is and the other four characteristics of a good leader.

• Empathy. A leader must be able to place themselves in the shoes of others. If they want to create consensus among their team, they must understand others’ concerns and effectively respond to those concerns.

• Creativity. The highly effective leader is creative when it comes to achieving their outcomes. They use their imagination to look beyond what is directly in front of them to see what is truly possible. They are able to see how they can effectively leverage their followers’ skills for the maximum good.

• Demanding. The best leaders demand the best from their teams. They do not settle for mediocre results or half-hearted efforts. Instead, they set an example of passionate work for their team, and they expect their team to follow their example.

• Management. A leader must be able to manage those who follow him. They must be able to strategically guide their team through complex processes, effectively resolve challenges they encounter, and marshal their team’s resources to be deployed for the most good.

None of these characteristics separately makes for a good leader. The best leaders possess a combination of some, if not all, of these characteristics.

They can be both creative and demanding at the same time. A good leader can manage effectively while also expressing empathy for their team members. They can provide vision while serving their followers at the same time.

It is essential to understand that leadership is not about having a particular position, title, or personal attributes. Just because you are an executive does not mean you are a leader. Having the corner office does not mean you are good at leadership. Having a charismatic personality does not make you a leader.

Kevin Kruse puts it this way:

Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes others’ efforts towards the achievement of a goal.

The good news is that leadership is NOT something you are born with. Instead, it is something you learn over time through practice. And you can become a better leader than you currently are.

If you are not an effective leader now, you can grow and become an effective leader. You can learn the skills and techniques necessary to have the social influence Kevin Kruse talks about.

By implementing these principles in your own life, you can become an influential, passionate, inspirational leader. You can help others become the best version of themselves and achieve great things. You can lead them to accomplish your vision.

Until next time, stay safe and keep the faith.