Major Attributes of Leadership

In the famous book, “Think and Grow Rich,” Napolean Hill wrote an entire chapter on organized planning as one of the key steps in accumulating riches. As part of this section of the book, the famous author researched the most successful and famous business leaders at the time and cited eleven important factors of leadership. Read through this list and determine if you possess these attributes. They are all necessary ingredients in leading people to the top.

  1. Unwavering courage. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage.
  2. Self-control. People who cannot control themselves can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for one’s followers.
  3. A keen sense of justice. Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the respect of his or her followers.
  4. Definiteness of decision. People who waiver in decisions show that they are not sure of themselves. They cannot lead others successfully.
  5. Definiteness of plans. The successful leader must plan the work, and work the plan. A leader who moves by guesswork without practical, definite plans is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later it will land on the rocks.
  6. The habit of doing more than paid for. One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness, upon the part of the leaders, to do more than they require of their followers.
  7. A pleasing personality. No slovenly, careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect leaders who do not score highly on all factors of a pleasing personality.
  8. Sympathy and understanding. Successful leaders must be in sympathy with their followers. Moreover, they must understand them and their problems.
  9. Mastery of detail. Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leader’s position.
  10. Willingness to assume full responsibility. Successful leaders must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and shortcomings of their followers. If they try to shift this responsibility, they will not remain leaders. If followers make mistakes and become incompetent, it is the leader who has failed.
  11. Cooperation. Successful leaders must understand and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be able to induce followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.

Napolean goes on to say that their two styles of leadership. These are his exact words: “The first and by far the most effective, is leadership by consent of, and with the sympathy of, the followers. The second is leadership by force, without the consent and sympathy of the followers. History is filled with evidence that leadership by force cannot endure. The downfall and disappearance of “dictators” and kings is significant.”

Study this list and think about the last paragraph. Which category do you fall into as a leader? I can tell you that working with and for your people with their consent and sympathy, will help build a loyal, dedicated team that will stick with you and perform their very best, and for the long term.

-Happy leading!

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