Now that's how I feel. Tell me what you believe is the most important trait of a leader!
Make sure to forward this to your friends!
February 29, 2008
What is the Most Important Trait of Leader?
Defining what makes a great leader is a challenging task. What you value in a leader is usually what you expect of a leader. I remember having a 4-hour long discussion during a class in my Master's program debating the most important traits of a leader, yet we still could not come to a consensus! That shows how difficult defining a leader can be! For me, the most important trait is integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing, no matter what. It is sticking to your word and following through with your commitments - consistently. Integrity is honesty. It is being able to trust what someone says. I believe it is the foundation of a leader. I've seen people get hired for their talents or abilities, but get fired for their character flaws. When a leader is "safe" and can be trusted, it is the beginning of a leader's lifelong legacy....
Now that's how I feel. Tell me what you believe is the most important trait of a leader!
Make sure to forward this to your friends!
Now that's how I feel. Tell me what you believe is the most important trait of a leader!
Make sure to forward this to your friends!
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27 comments:
I believe true leaders may not know where exactly they are going to end up, but always have faith that they are going somewhere good.
Hey Scott. Looks good, bro. And I really resonate with your first entry. Character is fundamental to effective leadership.
My only suggestion might be to have a blurb somewhere on the page that articulates why you have decided to integrate blogging into your methods of communication.
Rock on.
Doug Lee
Great idea Doug. I took your suggestion to heart and added it! Check it out!
Hey Scott,
Interesting insight....Integrity was number one as the most important leadership trait amongst the 140 emerging leaders of Generation Y that I surveyed this past summer for my newest book...
Even though I beleive Integrity is greatly important, I believe vision is most important because without direction, how can you lead?
Joshua Fredenburg
Nice comment Vanessa!
Very true Josh. Without vision...people perish.
hey scott, good idea to do a blog. i need to keep mine up to date but frankly that's the last thing on my priority list, haha.
my suggestion is to carry over the design header from your website and put that on your blog. hmm i guess that would be something for me to do, huh? also maybe keep the same color scheme.
This statement, "I've seen people get hired for their talents or abilities, but get fired for their character flaws" brings to mind our former president Bill Clinton.
It might be good to back this article with Clinton's example to make your point more concrete. Still, personally, and this may seem pessimistic, but... I tend to see that when competence and character clash, when it comes down to it (unless it effects company PR like with Clinton) that sadly, the world will often choose competence over character. But yeah, we do need competent leaders with more integrity, vision, and servant heartedness~ I wholeheartedly agree.
I think that's a great example. It is sad when people choose competence over character, yet we're focusing on what's important - not necessarily what's popular. It's hard to believe in someone who isn't trustworthy...
ah a design comment...i would do it if i knew how!!! hint, hint...
I have to agree with you too...it really is character that outweighs one with insightful words and good works. It's the words and works that follow a leader with good character!
I like how you stated that! Thanks for your comment!
Followers!
I think an all encompassing trait for a leader is that they lead by example. They are a good example of character, hard work (dirty work) and everything else that makes a good leader.
DB-8
Hi Scott. When I read your question about what is the most important trait of a leader, I thought of John 13:13-16. (Jesus washed his disciples feet) The best leader puts others before himself.
God Bless,
Daniel Duke
You must mean that they are good followers first?!
Hey DB-8, I agree with the "showing" by modeling, especially with today's generation. It's more about who you are than what you say...
Daniel, servant leadership! nice...
I think integrity is a fundamental trait of EVERY good worker - not just leaders. My personal opinion, is that a leader has to have a combination of many things: Vision, integrity, humility to know his/her own weaknesses, ability to inspire, empower and encourage others to excel... et al...
(my 2 cents) Linda E
Hi Scott,
I agree with integrity being essential. I see you are recommending "Integrity" by Henry Cloud, one of my favorite books! His take on "integrity" is an umbrella term that includes building trust and connection, being vulnerable, humble, oriented toward growth, being in touch with reality, embracing negative and seeing the bigger picture. I think these characteristics are the foundation for successful leadership
Nancy
Thanks Linda. Good take on applying integrity to everyone as a foundational building block!
Yes, Nancy it is a great book! I was lucky enough to get the outline from Dr. Cloud himself before the book was released!
In my brief experience leading, I've seen a leader with a lot of integrity...and very little vision. People do not follow someone who does not know where he is going and where he is trying to get the group to go. I think outside the church environment, where your goals are usually defined by the company, vision is not such a big thing. But within ministry, I think you need both.
Great insight. Integrity + vision = a good match!
I use the following quote as a signature on my work emails. Seems appropriate considering the topic.
"One who excels in employing others humbles himself before them" -Lao Tzu
That's a good one Justin. Confucius would be proud...
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