Good Leadership Qualities Essay Example

Leadership is a word that encompasses various qualities. Characteristics of a leader can be ranked subjectively on their importance and effectiveness, but that depends on a myriad of factors. However, people considered as leaders share common characteristics. In The Leadership Challenge, the main idea highlighted in chapter 6 is that leaders search for opportunities.
The ability to continuously remain open-minded and question how something can be done better is a unique quality that leaders possess. “Certainty and routine breed complacency” (159) so leaders are faced with the challenge to seek processes to improve and ideas to cultivate. The text refers to a study completed by Rosabeth Moss Kanter regarding innovation. The conclusion of that study revealed that “leadership is inextricably connected with the process of innovation” (160) so leaders must constantly be mentally and emotionally available to perceive new ideas and head the charge to act on those notions. Leaders do not wait for things to happen. Leaders make things happen. That concept is visible in many professional atmospheres. Lead managers take theories and “seize the initiative” (163) to develop them into workable programs, policies, and procedures that improve existing practices or implement new practices to solve a problem. Leaders that have proactivity notice an issue, devise a solution, convince peers and superiors of the solution’s value, and implement strategies to achieve the desired change (164-164). Activities that engage and inspire people to challenge existing doctrine can bring about the most stress but also the most satisfaction (171). Leaders are separated from the pack, in part, by harnessing the passion they have within themselves to produce change (171). By continuously searching for opportunities for improvement and development, leaders demonstrate the qualities of proactivity and passion.
I believe open-mindedness is essential for top-quality leadership because it is easier to become stuck in the routine of completing tasks a certain way. It is not only refreshing, but breeds creativity, when my colleagues and I are encouraged think of different ways to perform the same responsibilities. I like when I am encouraged at work to think outside the box and strategize how to implement a process that can save time and money for the company. It helps me feel challenged and learn the value of teamwork.
It takes someone to display leadership in some area of a project for that project to be successful. However, there does not have to be one designated leader for the entire project. Sometimes, if that project is broken down into sections, there can be a leader for that particular area. Once leaders in all of the areas come together, all the pieces of the puzzle will fit together. Leaders operating in sections can be responsible for their specific task and really learn it and come up with great ideas to improve it. Leaders designated for a particular section of a project may have the freedom to really push the envelope. In The Leadership Challenge, the main idea highlighted in chapter 7 is that leaders to take risks.
Leaders are willing to take calculated risks. The text describes how leaders are “willing to do things that have never been done before” (188-189) in terms of imagining, adopting, strategizing, and implementing the change they wish to see. Instead of conducting a complete overhaul of existing practices, leaders utilize a tactic to gain small wins in order to learn from their experience along the way (189). By approaching implementation in this manner, leaders can avoid a major meltdown of the organization or social system they aspire to change. Psychologically, leaders can develop the skill set to break down larger initiatives into smaller, more achievable commitments that will help obtain the “bigger picture” (190). Leaders also invest in personal development in order to reassess that their goals are in service to others which helps achieve personal fulfillment (194). Leaders are lifelong learners that glean from their experience and the experience of others to become the best person they can be.
Leadership is a title coveted by many. Leaders have to actually lead people to implement activities that will achieve a desired outcome. If no one is following, one cannot possess the title of being a leader. Leadership is a responsibility with many rewards and taking the time to invest in the skill sets mentioned in this chapter will be extremely beneficial.
Many leaders for social change that I have studied about exhibited this trait. They saw something about the world that they wanted to change and set about year after year to do just that. Since one cannot be a leader without people following, these courageous men and women had to dig deep and solidify the principles they were standing on before people would get on board. By harnessing their “why” power (193), learning from setbacks and allowing failures to propel them forward (200), leaders strengthen their “ability to recover quicklyand continue to pursue a vision of the future” (207). Without the ability to take calculated risks, leaders will not become successful.