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11 ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERSHIP
Filed under EmpowermentNov 161. UNWAVERING COURAGE. based upon knowledge of self,and of one’s occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a
leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader very long.
2. SELF-CONTROL. The man who cannot control himself,can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for
one’s followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.
3.FAIRNESS and JUSTICE. Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the
respect of his followers.
4. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS. The successful leader must plan his work, and work his plan. A leader who moves by
guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later he will land on the rocks.
5. THE HABIT OF DOING MORE THAN PAID FOR. One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness, upon
the part of the leader, to do more than he requires of his followers.6. NICE PERSONALITY. No careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect.
Followers will not respect a leader who does not have qualities of a Pleasing Personality.
7. BEING SURE IN MAKING DECISIONS. The man who wavers in his decisions, shows that he is not sure of himself. He cannot
lead others successfully.
8. SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING. The successful leader must be in sympathy with his followers. Moreover, he
must understand them and their problems.
9. MASTERY OF DETAIL. Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leader’s position.
10. WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY. The successful leader must be willing to assumeresponsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of his followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not
remain the leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake, and shows himself incompetent, the leader must consider that it is he who failed.
11. COOPERATION. The successful leader mustunderstand, and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be
able to encourage his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.
There are two forms of Leadership. The first, and by far the most effective, is LEADERSHIP BY CONSENT of, and with the
sympathy of the followers. The second is LEADERSHIP BY FORCE,without the consent and sympathy of the followers.
History is filled with evidences that Leadership by force cannot endure. The downfall and disappearance of “Dictators” and
kings is significant. It means that people will not follow forced leadership indefinitely. The world has just entered a new era of relationship between
leaders and followers, which very clearly calls for new leaders, and a new brand of leadership in business and industry. Those who
belong to the old school of leadership-by-force, must have an understanding of the new brand of leadership (cooperation) or be
relegated to the rank and file of the followers. There is no other way out for them.Tagged as: LEADERSHIPComments Off
