The term "leader" has been used almost to the point of over-saturation, now branding anyone who serves in a leadership role. But there is far more involved in being a leader than simply holding a title.
Defining a Leader
There are a limitless number of ways to describe the attributes of a true leader. However, taking into account the new focus on employee-centric companies mentioned above, leaders in these organizations are driven by what they can do for other people and, as such, often possess the following traits:
**Readily willing to listen and make decisions based on a diverse range of views
**Acts as a guide or a coach, as opposed to those who dictate
**Provides credit for success to subordinates (rather than accepting it for themselves)
**Enables and empowers by providing free reign on business functions
**Enlightens people through development and education, whether based on the leader's personal experience or outside resources
**Inspires others through a level of personal belief in the business venture
**Motivates people through positive reinforcement and rewards
**Leads by example
**Serves people, looking out for their best interest
Serving Others Through Empowerment
The above mentioned traits have one thing at their center: people. And it's this focus on people that seems to motivate many of the most successful leaders, from athletic coaches to business entrepreneurs. Often possessing an innate ability to see in others what those people may not see in themselves, the true leader cultivates the best in people and genuinely wants to see them succeed.
