What are the Three Most Important Leadership Qualities?
The three most important leadership qualities are, vision, planning, inspiration.
1. A clear vision for a better future.
The primary role of a leader is to offer a clear vision of a better future, to people who lack such vision.
Many people have minds filled with fear, self-doubt and worry. Consequently, they lack visions of a better future. For them the future seems pessimistic and dark. Such people need leaders to inspire them with images of a superior future.
How do leaders conjure up their visions? Nobody knows.
Some people have developed the habit of creating optimistic visions, and some people were born that way; optimism is written into their DNA.
But anyone who aspires to be a leader, must consistently think about the future in positive terms, and talk about their visions with conviction.
The next thing the leader needs is a plan.
2. A plan that will deliver on the promise of a better future.
Stage two of the leadership process is to write strategic and tactical plans that sets down, in writing, HOW the vision for a better future can be actualised.
Visions without practical plans are mere delusions.
Visions coupled with practical plans become a powerful force for positive change.
Political leaders, military leaders, business leaders, social leaders are all ardent planners.
They spend hours planning, plotting, scheming, thinking, and discussing the means whereby their visions can be translated into a practical reality.
If you want to be a leader, dedicate hours everyday to planning how you will put your visions of a better future into practice.
In order to put the plans into practice, you will need to inspire others.
3. Inspire others to share your vision, and work together to enact your plans.
Leaders need followers! So, the third part of leadership is speechmaking.
In order to gain followers, leaders communicate in a style that is inspiring, compelling, plausible.
It is no coincidence that many of history's great leaders are also great orators.
- Churchill, "You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory!"
- Thatcher, "You turn if you want to. The Lady is NOT for turning".
It is worth noting that there are very few inarticulate "Great leaders". Leaders learn language that inspires.
If you want to develop your leadership skills, then develop your ability to speak and write in a style that is engrossing, optimistic and engaging.
"Leaders have followers. The primary role of a leader is to convey to those followers a sense of purpose, vision and mission." Colin Powell
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Leadership vision
Leadership vision is the leader’s ability to picture a better future and share it. It always looks ahead to an improved state, puts the idea into clear words, guides every plan and choice, and stirs hope and effort in the team.
CG4D Definition
Context: Business
Genus: Quality
- Shows a clear, better future
- Explained in words that all can understand
- Guides every plan and choice
- Stirs hope and effort in followers
Article Summary
Great leaders unite three qualities: a clear vision of a better future, a solid plan to reach it, and inspiring words that move people to act.