The Idea Exchange

I recently attended the Diversity Leadership Program in Chicago.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into the weekend, but I came back with a great experience and a few tidbits of knowledge that I know have helped me understand some things better.  Although the weekend focused on a variety of topics, leadership was the primary lesson.  Of the people I noticed that exemplified great leadership throughout the weekend and the activities that showed us how to lead, these are my top 5 qualities that define a leader.

1. Confident – Leaders know what they bring to the table and are confident that their input will be realized and taken into action by the group. 

2. Charismatic – The people that stood out the most as leaders were very vocal and energetic and showed that they were passionate about all of their actions.  They were not afraid to put themselves on the line and had no fear of embarrassment or failure.

3. Assertive – Leaders take action on what they want done so that they can lead by example rather than just giving out orders.  The best leaders were always looking to give input or take action at all times.

4. Knowledgable and Well-Spoken – To become a leader, your input and actions must be of value.  A conversation with a leader is always interesting and they are always providing their insight on others’ questions and experiences.  Communication is such a big issue. It is absolutely essential for a leader to learn how to speak well in order to get his or her point across in an efficient manner.

5. Ambitious – Leaders truly want to lead.  No one is going to become a leader if they are indifferent to the outcome because there is then no real incentive for them to take responsibility.  I noticed a competitive edge in the best leaders that allowed them to always be striving for something better.