#1. Leaders Unite. Effective leaders don’t divide; they unite. Creating a unified team is the job of every leader within an organization. The person who works well with others is an invaluable leader. The person who sets aside his or her own personal agenda for the greater good is priceless. Leaders are also great at uniting others because they confront and resolve divisions and conflict that inevitably crop up. Ultimately, leaders create a “can-do” encouraging spirit that uplifts others. Their words and actions strengthen cohesiveness and cooperation. Maybe that’s what Helen Keller was teaching us when she shared, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

#2. Leaders are master communicators. You know this to be true. The best leaders engage in effective communication with customers, coworkers and management. They understand that people are different and need to communicate in different ways. Great leaders have an awareness of each person’s unique contribution. Leaders know when they need to be compassionate, when they need to be firm, and when they need to listen so others can speak. The best leaders you know are the ones who listen more than they talk. Leaders win the support and committed involvement needed to achieve goals through effective communication. That is why Benjamin Disraeli reminded us that, “Nature has given us two ears but only one mouth.”

 
#3. Focus on execution. The art of getting things done. Homer, the great Greek philosophical leader of ancient times, wrote: “Leadership is to be both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds.” The art of execution is perhaps the most pronounced attribute of an effective leader. A person who is driven toward results and gets things done is unequivocally in high demand. A customer service representative who fulfills the needs of a customer is practicing effective leadership. The same is true with the person who meets or exceeds a sales quota or the person who accurately ships an order to the end-user. The motto of a leader is: Let’s make it happen!

 

#4. Upgrade your leadership skill set. Leaders are trained, mentored and coached. Leaders are not born; they are trained. Every person who is an effective leader will say that they were trained, coached or mentored. Leaders are created through cultivation. Follow Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice, “Character building begins in our infancy, and continues until death.” If you want people in your organization to be leaders you must invest in leadership development training.

Does Gandhi inspire leadership? If not, there might not be any hope for you. Leadership requires a commitment to core values, and an unrelenting service to others. And, an uncompromising dedication to improving your self.