WHAT REALLY MAKES UP A GOOD LEADER?

Are leaders made or born? This is a mind-jogging question that most researchers have been able to try to figure out whether it is a fallacy or not. Meanwhile, the real aspect that distinctively comes out is that leaders are special in their own ways. They possess unique qualities that totally distinguish them from other individuals; this is in terms of their:

·         Innate personal traits.

·         Great passion for action boosted by incessant zeal and energy.

·         Desire to consistently grow and nurture those who view them as role model.

·         Continual focus on transforming the current societal problems by urging the right thing to be done.

Apparently, great leaders withstand all sort of adversity in order to bring order in a repressed society. They possess the great ability to bring transformation to the people they lead besides transcending their personal interests for the benefit of the entire society.

Additionally, it is clear that there are two forms of leadership as identified by Burns: Transactional and transformational leaders.

Transactional

The transactional type of leadership brings out the close relationships between the leader and the followers with a more inclination to reactionary focus. This relationship is mostly focuses on how the performance and productivity can be improved.

Transformational

Apparently, this form of leadership tends to rely mostly on the leaders themselves. They are termed as “servants” who should guide the followers through a visionary process that is bound to bring transformation in the future. Such kind of a leader is expected to cheer up the followers, identify means that they can solve the problem and even try to avail the resources that can facilitate the achievement of that vision.

Such leaders were the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi used this form of leadership by using the nonviolent approach in fighting for their freedom in India. He was able to inculcate great moral values to his followers, rendered service to them besides using the power bestowed unto him in making critical decisions.

 On the other hand, Martin Luther King, Jr. led nonviolent resistance to help in stopping the segregation of individuals due to their racial backgrounds. What about Martha Teresa? Actually, her selflessness character portrayed in serving millions of people brings out how transformational she was.

In leadership, it is all about bringing change; a change that will make the world a better place to be. Since leaders are the masters of change, they actually need to stimulate the process of achieving that designated change. This can only be achieved through transformation that can have a great implication on their followers. This can be reflected through the change in their way of thinking, beliefs, values and even goals and objectives. That is when true leadership will come out and bring out hope for a better future.

In his book, “Leadership”, James McGregor Burns points out that “Leadership is leaders inducing followers to act for certain goals that represent the values and the motivations…And the genius of leadership lies in the manner in which leaders see and act on their own and their followers’ values and motivations.” As a leader, always keep that in mind!