Leadership Skills
Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are a unique blend of attributes, and abilities, that, when combined into one person, allows that person, to function as a leader.
If the person possesses, by nature, all the attributes and abilities, then we say he/she is lucky to be a born leader.
If the person does not possess all the attributes, and abilities, then we must conclude, that the person is, not a born leader, but could, never the less, attain the qualities of leadership by means of proper leadership training.
Can leadership skills, be taught?
Leadership skills can be taught, because, all complex skills, are not innate, they are taught and learned. They are not built into your D.N.A.
Everything you do, you had to learn to do.
- You had to learn to walk and talk
- You had to learn how to behave in civilised company
You had to learn every single one, of your complex behaviours.
All complex human behaviours are learned behaviours.
Leadership skills are many complex behaviours combined, and therefore we can be sure that leadership skills are a learned behaviour.
And if leadership skills are a learned behaviour they can be learned.
Where can you go to learn leadership skills?
You would go to a well-designed leadership skills training course.
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What should a well-designed Leadership Skills Training Course cover?
The leadership skills course would cover the aforementioned unique blend of attributes and abilities that, when combined into one person, allows that person to function, as a leader. The course would:
- Identify the list of attributes.
- Define the attributes, and,
- Teach exactly how to improve your performance, in each, of the attributes.
Attributes and abilities that combine to create leadership skills:
- Desire to achieve a worthwhile goal.
- The ability to formulate practical plans that will enable the goal to be realised.
- The ability to inspire other people to willingly work, long and hard, in order to achieve the goal.
Within each of these major themes are subset attributes, and skills.
1. Desire to achieve a worthwhile goal
All great leaders possess the same leadership skill.
The ability to use the imagination to see a better future, a better future that is so vivid to the leader, it seems more "real" than the actual reality, that currently exists.
Leaders live in their imagination, more than the non-leaders do.
A non-leader would regard a leader as a "dreamer".
Which is a true statement
Leaders are dreamers, but their dreaming is not idle reverie.
It is the act of defining the end point.
It is the mental act of setting the terms for the improved future.
If you want to develop your leadership skills you must be prepared to extend the current limits you have placed on your imagination.
The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it-as long as you really believe 100 percent. - Arnold Schwarzenegger
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2. The ability to formulate practical plans that will enable the goal to be realised.
Having a goal or a vision is no good if you have no way to achieve the goal.
You must be able to design methods and plans that will enable you to achieve the object of your desires.
A goal without a plan is nothing more than a weak puff of wind.
A goal allied to "An intelligent and practical plan of action" is transformed into an unstoppable force of nature.
An intelligent and practical detailed written plan of action.
Question: In your possession, do you have:
- An intelligent and practical detailed written plan of action;
- that has been specifically designed;
- to provide you with the steps ;
- to achieve your desired objectives and ;
- Goals for a better future.;
Yes or no?
- If yes, then you do possess good leadership skills.
- If no, then you do not yet possess good leadership skills.
A leader is interested in the details as well as the broad vision.
3. The ability to inspire other people to willingly work long and hard in order to achieve the goal.
If you have a vivid and inspiring goal, and if you have an intelligent and practical detailed written plan of action that has been specifically designed to provide you with the steps to achieve your desired objectives and goals. Then you are on the right track.
Leadership skill number three is the ability to inspire others to work long and hard. To work to have their friends join the group and swell the numbers of people who are committed to the achievement of your vision.
You can't be a leader unless you have people who are willing to follow you.
A leader, with no followers is a strange and lonely beast.
Leadership skills means that you pay very careful attention to the kind of things that turn people on; and the kind of things that do not.
Another quote from Napoleon. "A leader is a dealer in hope."
"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there." - John Buchan.
"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." - Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"Leadership must be based on goodwill. Goodwill does not mean posturing and, least of all, pandering to the mob. It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers. We are tired of leaders we fear, tired of leaders we love, and tired of leaders who let us take liberties with them.
"What we need for our leaders, are men of the heart, who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that, are never out of a job, never out of followers. Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority, by giving it away." - Admiral James B. Stockdale.
"Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skilful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better." - Harry Truman.
Definition: leadership skills
In business, leadership skills are a set of learned abilities that let a person lead. They always show four signs: the leader sets a clear, valuable goal; writes a practical step-by-step plan; stirs people to work hard because they want to; and keeps learning and practising to improve. If any sign is missing, real leadership is absent.
Show CG4D Definition
- Sets a clear, worthwhile goal that defines an improved future.
- Designs a practical, detailed written plan to reach the goal.
- Inspires others to work willingly and persistently toward the goal.
- Improves through ongoing study, practice and feedback.
Article Summary
Leadership skills are not gifts of birth; they are learned habits that any person can build by setting a clear goal, writing a practical plan and inspiring others to act-train each part and you become a leader people trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What are leadership skills according to this article?
Does the article say leaders are born or trained?
Can anyone learn leadership skills with effort?
Why is a detailed written plan vital for a leader?
How do leaders use imagination to set a vision?
What makes people willingly follow a leader?
How can I judge my current leadership ability?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report shows that 82% of UK firms list leadership and people management as their main learning goal, up from 74% in 2023. PwC’s 2024 CEO Survey finds that 45% of UK chief executives say a lack of strong leaders is the biggest risk to their organisation’s growth over the next three years.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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