Becoming A Good Leader

There are a countless number of definitions, books and at least two dozen theories about leaders and leadership.  Some of these definitions, books and theories are more known than others, but each of them have been used over time to bring attention to understand what it is, how to develop and to make it work in a given context and culture.  It is understandable to note that some leadership styles do not work in all situations, organizations and communities.  They call that a “good fit,” so they say, however that is another story for another day. 

We all can agree that there is a tremendous need for more training on how to become a good leader or to improve one’s leadership skills.  The traits and talents to lead are common and instilled in all of us; however it is the development, experience and refinement of those hidden skills that make all the difference in the world.  Of course this is where the concern lies; are we willing to make the commitment and to do what is necessary to become stronger in our leadership abilities?

Bennis & Nanus in their book, “Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge,” view leadership as a part of its context and that leadership is the wise use of power.  Heifetz in his book, “Leadership Without Easy Answers,” views leadership by its value.  For him leadership has two images.  The first image means influencing the community to follow the leader’s vision and secondly, it is influencing the community to face its problems.  Stephen R. Covey in his book, “Principle-Centered Leadership,” sees leadership as having four levels including personal, interpersonal, managerial and organizational.  DePree in his book, “Leadership is an Art,” views leadership as defined reality.  Of course there are many, many more definitions as well as a few well known theories including Servant Leadership (Greenleaf), Authentic Leadership (Avolio & Luthans), Charismatic Leadership (Weber) and Transformational Leadership (Burns).

One thing is clear, there has been a lot written and training developed on leadership and that is good to know.  There is no shortage of research, practical application and scenario based illustrations in which to draw upon to highlight the successes and failures of leadership.  But the bottom line is this; we can only become better at what we do when we continue to be open to lifelong learning about what it takes to be an effective leader.  For in real terms a leader is a person, who leads people with a purpose.   What do you see?