Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

WayToTwilight · 04-02-2007, 02:17 AM

I've noticed that Steve has addressed a boatload of different personal development topics... but one topic that he doesn't seem to talk much about is leadership. How can one become a leader? What are the traits that someone should strive for in being leader? Vision? Motivational? Inspirational? Hard working? Smooth talker?

What kinds of traits should we strive to develop in becoming a leader?

Or perhaps I'm framing the problem incorrectly. Perhaps we should just strive to improve ourselves in areas that interest us, and that in turn will improve our abilities to become leaders in that chosen field?

Thoughts?

The reason I ask this is because I recently took on a leadership position in a school club and it is my responsibility to not only teach others but to also be a leader. Our organization is going to have a retreat where I will be heading a personal development workshop on self-actualization, motivation, setting and achieving goals and last but not least leadership. Any words of advice?

DarkSociologist · 04-02-2007, 03:55 PM

I have a pretty simple philosophy on leadership. A leader merely provides security to others in an insecure world. This often means that you must be able to handle more stress than the average person. It also means you are have the ability and resources to get things done.

RT Wolf · 04-02-2007, 10:42 PM

There's many different theories about leadership. And there's multiple dimensions to being a leader. There is who you are (lead by example, become the change that you want to see, become that which you want people to be like) and there is also how you deal with other people and compell them to do what you want.

Generally, though, there's a few principles (or values) that you keep in mind and you take actions based on them. Humility is one of them. Understanding is another.

The best leadership has a mark of humility. Great leaders recognize that many people have the choice of going elsewhere, so they don't become overbearing.

Different people have different needs and need to be worked with differently. It is important to learn when to be passive or overbearing and when to have a firm hand, sometimes you need to do both with the same person in the same day. Nobody said leadership was easy.

Its very important for a leader to want to learn and be ok with making mistakes. If a leader is unwilling to make mistakes, that is what follows down the organization (or, even, family). When protecting your image and ego are more important than doing what's right or best, its bad leadership.

Great leaders are wise. I think that wisdom is equal parts knowledge and experience, so sometimes becoming great just takes time. Its like anything else in life. You learn to be the best in an industry or capacity after much practice, hard work and skill building. Constant improvement is the name of the game. And be results oriented. You try one thing wiht someone, they don't react well, then find something else to try. Trial and error are a large part of good leadership.

I like this style of leadership:

Slow Leadership

Julia.Ru · 04-03-2007, 09:25 PM

Btw, Steve mentioned in one of his articles that courage and heart are the core of true leadership (I just don't remember whether it was the word 'heart' or something similar...)

But apart from psychological explanations of this phenomenon, there's an astrological explanation of leadership. I try to remain a sceptic, but after reading Linda Goodman's horoscopes I can't get out of my head the thought that all this may be very true, because I find proof for her horoscopes in everyday life too often. So, the point is that there are three groups of signs, one of them are cardinal signs who are born to lead, to take responsibility. They are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. At least this version seems interesting and thought-provoking to me.

Angela · 04-03-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julia.Ru

there's an astrological explanation of leadership.

Since you believe that people born under the influence of cardinal sunsigns are born to lead, it would follow (!) that you believe that everyone born in the other two-thirds of the year are not.

John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth, Napoleon, Madonna, Winston Churchill, Donald Trump, Jack Welch, Warren Buffet, Osama bin Laden, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, Steven Spielberg, Jacques Cousteau, and Albert Einstein -- all born followers?

WayToTwilight · 04-03-2007, 10:11 PM

Yeah I believe that leadership will also just need to take time. I definitely believe there are some core principles that need to be taken into consideration when being a leader but I guess experience and mistakes are the greatest teachers of them all.

RT Wolf thanks for the blog link. Are there any other blogs out there on leadership?

Julia.Ru · 04-03-2007, 10:13 PM

First, I partially believe in horoscopes, my mind can't but remain sceptical, at least until astrology is scientifically proven. But on the other hand, my heart tells that horoscopes may be true and I just can't get rid of these thoughts. And yes, about people mentioned, - I believe they were born to be followers, and who knows, maybe being leaders in life, they still remained dependent on others' opinions. I know nobody would agree with me, but that's just how I feel and arguing would probably be pointless.

Angela · 04-03-2007, 10:45 PM

Sorry, Julia, I understand how you feel. I just find astrology to be such a goofy "discipline" -- and I've been an astrologer myself! It is a collection of "natural laws", made up by men who called themselves scientists, which have all kinds of loopholes to explain the anamolies. "Oh, but he's got a cardinal RISING sign, you see! And look where his Mercury is, for heaven's sake!" The idea of people using astrology to make decisions in life (or to explain their characteristics, or to arrange marriages, or to justify weaknesses) makes as much sense to me as praying to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

My point being: leaders are leaders for far more compelling reasons than superstition. Reasons like: volition, courage, fortitude, and timing. I don't think WaytoTwilight would be wise to tell Leos and Scorpios at his leadership workshop that they're barking up the wrong tree!

jakeyang · 04-04-2007, 11:11 PM

When I hear the word leader - I think of John Wooden. Check out his book on leadership - it's a great read!

Brutha · 04-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julia.Ru

First, I partially believe in horoscopes, my mind can't but remain sceptical, at least until astrology is scientifically proven. But on the other hand, my heart tells that horoscopes may be true and I just can't get rid of these thoughts. And yes, about people mentioned, - I believe they were born to be followers, and who knows, maybe being leaders in life, they still remained dependent on others' opinions. I know nobody would agree with me, but that's just how I feel and arguing would probably be pointless.

I think your definition of a leader would be very interesting.

It doesn't seem to be the same thing as the general public understands when it hears the word leader. The general public would attach the label leader to someone like Napeoleon or Einstein in a heartbeat.

Shamou · 04-08-2007, 11:29 PM

You may want to take this test to see if you are an Alpha... or a leader... (see here)

The test is free, they don't spam you afterward and they'll send you a personal report which explains quite a bit about being a leader...

Good luck to you...

.

gc3833 · 04-09-2007, 10:57 PM

You have to Earn the Right to lead. And to do this if you have to lead by example (willing to do whatever you ask others to do.)

My favorite thought about leadership and the power of positive leadership is "Leadership is influencing the outcome." Greg Meares

Julia.Ru · 04-18-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutha

I think your definition of a leader would be very interesting.

It doesn't seem to be the same thing as the general public understands when it hears the word leader. The general public would attach the label leader to someone like Napeoleon or Einstein in a heartbeat.

That's what I learned from horoscopes. Not follower=leader.

CameronS · 04-26-2007, 02:26 AM

There's a book called Leadership Throughout the Ages or something like that. I read it in college and it's a great compilation of all the different types of leaders throughout history you can sink your teeth into.

04-02-2007, 02:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
WayToTwilight Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 60	Leadership I've noticed that Steve has addressed a boatload of different personal development topics... but one topic that he doesn't seem to talk much about is leadership. How can one become a leader? What are the traits that someone should strive for in being leader? Vision? Motivational? Inspirational? Hard working? Smooth talker? What kinds of traits should we strive to develop in becoming a leader? Or perhaps I'm framing the problem incorrectly. Perhaps we should just strive to improve ourselves in areas that interest us, and that in turn will improve our abilities to become leaders in that chosen field? Thoughts? The reason I ask this is because I recently took on a leadership position in a school club and it is my responsibility to not only teach others but to also be a leader. Our organization is going to have a retreat where I will be heading a personal development workshop on self-actualization, motivation, setting and achieving goals and last but not least leadership. Any words of advice?

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04-02-2007, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
DarkSociologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 105	I have a pretty simple philosophy on leadership. A leader merely provides security to others in an insecure world. This often means that you must be able to handle more stress than the average person. It also means you are have the ability and resources to get things done.

04-02-2007, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
RT Wolf Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toronto, Canuckland Posts: 1,737	There's many different theories about leadership. And there's multiple dimensions to being a leader. There is who you are (lead by example, become the change that you want to see, become that which you want people to be like) and there is also how you deal with other people and compell them to do what you want. Generally, though, there's a few principles (or values) that you keep in mind and you take actions based on them. Humility is one of them. Understanding is another. The best leadership has a mark of humility. Great leaders recognize that many people have the choice of going elsewhere, so they don't become overbearing. Different people have different needs and need to be worked with differently. It is important to learn when to be passive or overbearing and when to have a firm hand, sometimes you need to do both with the same person in the same day. Nobody said leadership was easy. Its very important for a leader to want to learn and be ok with making mistakes. If a leader is unwilling to make mistakes, that is what follows down the organization (or, even, family). When protecting your image and ego are more important than doing what's right or best, its bad leadership. Great leaders are wise. I think that wisdom is equal parts knowledge and experience, so sometimes becoming great just takes time. Its like anything else in life. You learn to be the best in an industry or capacity after much practice, hard work and skill building. Constant improvement is the name of the game. And be results oriented. You try one thing wiht someone, they don't react well, then find something else to try. Trial and error are a large part of good leadership. I like this style of leadership: Slow Leadership

04-03-2007, 09:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Julia.Ru Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 142	Btw, Steve mentioned in one of his articles that courage and heart are the core of true leadership (I just don't remember whether it was the word 'heart' or something similar...) But apart from psychological explanations of this phenomenon, there's an astrological explanation of leadership. I try to remain a sceptic, but after reading Linda Goodman's horoscopes I can't get out of my head the thought that all this may be very true, because I find proof for her horoscopes in everyday life too often. So, the point is that there are three groups of signs, one of them are cardinal signs who are born to lead, to take responsibility. They are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. At least this version seems interesting and thought-provoking to me.

04-03-2007, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
WayToTwilight Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 60	Yeah I believe that leadership will also just need to take time. I definitely believe there are some core principles that need to be taken into consideration when being a leader but I guess experience and mistakes are the greatest teachers of them all. RT Wolf thanks for the blog link. Are there any other blogs out there on leadership?

04-03-2007, 10:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Julia.Ru Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 142	First, I partially believe in horoscopes, my mind can't but remain sceptical, at least until astrology is scientifically proven. But on the other hand, my heart tells that horoscopes may be true and I just can't get rid of these thoughts. And yes, about people mentioned, - I believe they were born to be followers, and who knows, maybe being leaders in life, they still remained dependent on others' opinions. I know nobody would agree with me, but that's just how I feel and arguing would probably be pointless.

04-03-2007, 10:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Angela Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 22,520	Sorry, Julia, I understand how you feel. I just find astrology to be such a goofy "discipline" -- and I've been an astrologer myself! It is a collection of "natural laws", made up by men who called themselves scientists, which have all kinds of loopholes to explain the anamolies. "Oh, but he's got a cardinal RISING sign, you see! And look where his Mercury is, for heaven's sake!" The idea of people using astrology to make decisions in life (or to explain their characteristics, or to arrange marriages, or to justify weaknesses) makes as much sense to me as praying to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. My point being: leaders are leaders for far more compelling reasons than superstition. Reasons like: volition, courage, fortitude, and timing. I don't think WaytoTwilight would be wise to tell Leos and Scorpios at his leadership workshop that they're barking up the wrong tree!

04-04-2007, 11:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
jakeyang Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	When I hear the word leader - I think of John Wooden. Check out his book on leadership - it's a great read!

04-08-2007, 11:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
Shamou Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,811	You may want to take this test to see if you are an Alpha... or a leader... (see here) The test is free, they don't spam you afterward and they'll send you a personal report which explains quite a bit about being a leader... Good luck to you... .

04-09-2007, 10:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
gc3833 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 23	You have to Earn the Right to lead. And to do this if you have to lead by example (willing to do whatever you ask others to do.) My favorite thought about leadership and the power of positive leadership is "Leadership is influencing the outcome." Greg Meares

04-26-2007, 02:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
CameronS Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 11	There's a book called Leadership Throughout the Ages or something like that. I read it in college and it's a great compilation of all the different types of leaders throughout history you can sink your teeth into.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums