The Skill of
Leadership Holly Hendrickson
December 2, 2007
Leadership is influencing others by example.
A true leader does not tell a person what or how to do something instead they invest time in teaching what and how it is done. This skill of being a leader is one that is very possible to attain yet so few really possess
leadership. Unfortunately I believe that is a problem that there are few
Leaders and far too many followers.
Leadership skills can help you advance in all areas of your life from parenting to reaching new levels in work or school. One may ask what the importance in building these skills would be, and that is to achieve wealth, happiness and feeling of completeness.
The first step to leading others is a new focus, one that is not for you but for another, without thinking what’s in it for you. The best thing in it for one is self- worth. There is nothing greater than that feeling, it is like giving a gift to someone. To serve others with his or her heart and give credit were its meant to be given is humble, an extremely important trait of a leader.
Leaders have to learn a great deal of self discipline use discretion often and plan well. It is not an easy job, and is not cut out for everybody, only those who wish to accept these rules. Many books have been written which can help us become leaders or for some to become better leaders. There is always room for improvement, so one should never stop learning and bettering their skills. I have learned and been inspired by many great leaders in my life, some I can truly call friends and others are just leaders by spoken or written word. The leaders that I know personally have given me a wealth of knowledge and their time is the most valuable thing they have given.
One thing each and every leader I have met has told me the same thing to “READ!” Reading things that improve the quality of life, build dreams, build you and can build a wonderful future. Someone once said “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” What’s the difference? Readers read because they love words but leaders learn, become passionate and acts. They love others; serving and inspiring people to a common goal makes a leader.
An Author that I am truly fond of his work, John Fuhrman, once wrote that “Consistently recognize and thank those who have helped you and generously share what you have learned with others” This is a true example of how leaders are born, by taking what someone else has given and giving it away to others. Sharing knowledge is valuable and shows high reigns of leadership. People such as King Solomon, General Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King are great examples of leaders who shared their thoughts, dreams and knowledge. In turn what they have given has created other strong and powerful leaders. We often value what these leaders have shared with us.
Some of us who are parents wonder sometimes how to handle new challenges with our children. We constantly question if we are doing the right thing or setting appropriate examples. How we handle these challenges are important on how are children perceive them and will remember in the future. Parenting in itself is and should be thought of as a role of leadership. Same goes for leading adults too, as small as it may seem sometimes, others learn by example when you are a true leader.
Other leadership qualities consist of communicating well, controlling emotion, balancing priorities, being loyal, having integrity and speaking positive. As you can see all these traits of having a leadership skill are beneficial. The combined qualities that create leaders will bring wealth and happiness.
Anyone can become a leader, but not everyone is capable and willing to take this task on. It is often quoted by King Solomon, the richest and wisest leader in history, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7) So it is up to us and our power to overcome the fear and step up to be the leader we can be.
End Notes:
John Fuhrman “Leading Leaders to Leadership” (Chapter 3)
Patrick Gillen (CEO of Gillen International and friend)
Proverbs 1:7