The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader
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This document discusses 21 qualities of a good leader according to John C. Maxwell. It provides descriptions and advice for cultivating each quality. The first quality discussed is Character, noting that actions indicate character and strong character is the foundation for success. The second quality is Charisma, which involves making others feel good about themselves rather than focusing on yourself. The third quality is Commitment, which separates leaders from non-leaders by their willingness to persevere beyond what seems possible.
The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader
- 1. 1 The 21 IndispensableThe 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader:Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the PersonBecoming the Person Others Will Want to FollowOthers Will Want to Follow John C. MaxwellJohn C. Maxwell ““If you can become the leader youIf you can become the leader you oughtought to be on theto be on the insideinside, you will be able to, you will be able to become the person youbecome the person you wantwant on theon the outsideoutside. People will want to follow you.. People will want to follow you. And when that happens, you’ll be ableAnd when that happens, you’ll be able to tackle anything in this world.”to tackle anything in this world.”
- 2. 2 1. Character:1. Character: Be a Piece of the RockBe a Piece of the Rock ““Leadership is the capacity and will to rallyLeadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purposemen and women to a common purpose and the character which inspiresand the character which inspires confidence.”confidence.” ~~ Bernard Montgomery,Bernard Montgomery, British Field MarshalBritish Field Marshal What must everyone know aboutWhat must everyone know about character?character? nn Actions are the Real Indicator of CharacterActions are the Real Indicator of Character nn Talent is a Gift, but Character is a ChoiceTalent is a Gift, but Character is a Choice nn Character Brings Lasting SuccessCharacter Brings Lasting Success with Peoplewith People nn Strong Character is the Foundation onStrong Character is the Foundation on which to Build Successwhich to Build Success
- 3. 3 2. Charisma :2. Charisma : The First ImpressionThe First Impression Can Seal the DealCan Seal the Deal ““How can you have charisma? Be moreHow can you have charisma? Be more concerned about making others feel goodconcerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are makingabout themselves than you are making them feel good about you.”them feel good about you.” ~~Dan Reiland,Dan Reiland, Vice President of Leadership Development, INJOYVice President of Leadership Development, INJOY ““When it comes to charisma, the bottom lineWhen it comes to charisma, the bottom line is othermindedness. Leaders who thinkis othermindedness. Leaders who think about others and their concerns beforeabout others and their concerns before thinking of themselves exhibit charisma.”thinking of themselves exhibit charisma.” ~John C. Maxwell~John C. Maxwell
- 4. 4 3. Commitment:3. Commitment: It separates DoersIt separates Doers from Dreamersfrom Dreamers nn To the boxer, it’s getting off the mat one moreTo the boxer, it’s getting off the mat one more time than you’ve been knocked down.time than you’ve been knocked down. nn To the marathoner, it’s running another tenTo the marathoner, it’s running another ten miles when your strength is gone.miles when your strength is gone. nn To the solider, it’s going over the hill, notTo the solider, it’s going over the hill, not knowing what’s waiting on the other side.knowing what’s waiting on the other side. nn To the leader, it’s all that and more becauseTo the leader, it’s all that and more because everyone you lead it depending on youeveryone you lead it depending on you.. Improve your CommitmentImprove your Commitment nn Look at how you spend your time, are youLook at how you spend your time, are you really committed or do you just say youreally committed or do you just say you are?are? nn Know what’s worth dying for.Know what’s worth dying for. nn Practice the Edison method. Make yourPractice the Edison method. Make your plans public, then you might be moreplans public, then you might be more committed to follow through.committed to follow through.
- 5. 5 4. Communication:4. Communication: Without It YouWithout It You Travel AloneTravel Alone nn Simplify your MessageSimplify your Message-- It’s notIt’s not whatwhat youyou say, but alsosay, but also howhow you say it.you say it. nn Really Care about your AudienceReally Care about your Audience nn Show the TruthShow the Truth-- Believe what you say,Believe what you say, Live what you sayLive what you say nn Seek a ResponseSeek a Response-- the goal of allthe goal of all communication is actioncommunication is action ““Developing excellent communication skillsDeveloping excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effectiveis absolutely essential to effective leadership.leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledgeThe leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgencyand ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others.and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can’t get a message across clearlyIf a leader can’t get a message across clearly to motivate others to act on it, then havingto motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter.”a message doesn’t even matter.” ~Gilbert Amelio~Gilbert Amelio
- 6. 6 5. Competence:5. Competence: If you build it,If you build it, they will comethey will come ““Competence goes beyond words. It’sCompetence goes beyond words. It’s the leader’s ability to say it, plan it, andthe leader’s ability to say it, plan it, and do it in such a way that others knowdo it in such a way that others know that you know howthat you know how-- and know that theyand know that they want to follow you.”want to follow you.” ~~ John. C. MaxwellJohn. C. Maxwell Keys to Cultivate High CompetenceKeys to Cultivate High Competence nn Show up Every Day & Come Ready toShow up Every Day & Come Ready to WorkWork nn Keep Learning, Growing, and ImprovingKeep Learning, Growing, and Improving nn Follow Through with ExcellenceFollow Through with Excellence nn Accomplish More than ExpectedAccomplish More than Expected nn Inspire and Motivate OthersInspire and Motivate Others
- 7. 7 6. Courage:6. Courage: One Person withOne Person with Courage is a MajorityCourage is a Majority ““Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” ~~Karl BarthKarl Barth,, Swiss TheologianSwiss Theologian ““Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do.Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’reThere can be no courage unless you’re scared.”scared.” ~~Eddie RickenbackerEddie Rickenbacker ““You gain strength, courage, and confidenceYou gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you reallyby every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I livedYou are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror.through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you cannot do.”You must do the thing you cannot do.” ~~Eleanor RooseveltEleanor Roosevelt
- 8. 8 7. Discernment:7. Discernment: Put an End toPut an End to Unsolved MysteriesUnsolved Mysteries ““Smart leaders believe only half of what theySmart leaders believe only half of what they hear. Discerning leaders knowhear. Discerning leaders know whichwhich havehave to believe.”to believe.” ~~ John. C. MaxwellJohn. C. Maxwell nn Effective leaders need discernment, althoughEffective leaders need discernment, although even good leaders don’t display it all the time.even good leaders don’t display it all the time. Examples of Famous last words:Examples of Famous last words: nn “I think there is a world market for about five“I think there is a world market for about five computers.”computers.” Thomas J. Watson, chairman of IBMThomas J. Watson, chairman of IBM .(1943).(1943) nn “I don’t need bodyguards.”“I don’t need bodyguards.” Jimmy Hoffa, one month before disappearance (1975)Jimmy Hoffa, one month before disappearance (1975)
- 9. 9 8. Focus:8. Focus: The Sharper It Is;The Sharper It Is; The Sharper You AreThe Sharper You Are nn The Keys areThe Keys are PrioritiesPriorities andand ConcentrationConcentration nn A leader who knows what his priorities are butA leader who knows what his priorities are but lacks concentration knows what to do but neverlacks concentration knows what to do but never gets it done.gets it done. nn If he has concentration but no priorities, he hasIf he has concentration but no priorities, he has excellence without progress.excellence without progress. nn But when he harnesses both, he has potential toBut when he harnesses both, he has potential to achieve great things.achieve great things. How should you focusHow should you focus your time and energy?your time and energy? nn Focus 70 Percent on StrengthsFocus 70 Percent on Strengths nn Develop them to their fullest potentialDevelop them to their fullest potential nn Focus 25 Percent on New ThingsFocus 25 Percent on New Things nn Growth = ChangeGrowth = Change nn Focus 5 Percent on Areas of WeaknessFocus 5 Percent on Areas of Weakness nn Minimize weaknesses as much as possible, delegateMinimize weaknesses as much as possible, delegate
- 10. 10 9. Generosity:9. Generosity: Your Candle LosesYour Candle Loses Nothing When It Lights AnotherNothing When It Lights Another ““No person was ever honored for what heNo person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward forreceived. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”what he gave.” ~~ Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidge,, American PresidentAmerican President “All that is not given is lost.”“All that is not given is lost.” ~~ Rabinranath TagoreRabinranath Tagore,, Indian PoetIndian Poet Cultivate the Quality of GenerosityCultivate the Quality of Generosity in Your Lifein Your Life nn Be Grateful For What You HaveBe Grateful For What You Have nn Put People FirstPut People First nn Don’t Allow the Desire for Possessions toDon’t Allow the Desire for Possessions to Control YouControl You nn Regard Money as a ResourceRegard Money as a Resource nn Develop the Habit of GivingDevelop the Habit of Giving
- 11. 11 10. Initiative:10. Initiative: You Won’t LeaveYou Won’t Leave Home Without ItHome Without It ““Success seems to be connected with action.Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving.Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” ~~Conrad HiltonConrad Hilton,, Hotel ExecutiveHotel Executive Qualities Leaders Posses To MakeQualities Leaders Posses To Make Things HappenThings Happen nn They Know What They WantThey Know What They Want nn They Push Themselves to ActThey Push Themselves to Act nn They Take More RisksThey Take More Risks nn They Make More MistakesThey Make More Mistakes
- 12. 12 11. Listening:11. Listening: To Connect WithTo Connect With Their Hearts, Use Your EarsTheir Hearts, Use Your Ears nn You have to be silent to listen.You have to be silent to listen. nn Both words are formed from the sameBoth words are formed from the same letters.letters. nn SS--ii--ll--ee--nn--tt nn LL--ii--ss--tt--ee--nn ““The ear of the leader must ring with theThe ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.”voices of the people.” ~~ Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson,, American PresidentAmerican President “A good leader encourages followers to tell“A good leader encourages followers to tell him what he needs to know, not what hehim what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear.”wants to hear.” ~John C. Maxwell~John C. Maxwell
- 13. 13 12. Passion: Take This Life12. Passion: Take This Life and Love Itand Love It ““Concentrate on what you do well, and do itConcentrate on what you do well, and do it better than anybody else.”better than anybody else.” ~~ John SchnatterJohn Schnatter,, founder of Papa John’s Pizzafounder of Papa John’s Pizza What makes it possible for people whoWhat makes it possible for people who might seem ordinary to achieve greatmight seem ordinary to achieve great things?things? nn Fact: More than 50% of all CEOs of Fortune 500Fact: More than 50% of all CEOs of Fortune 500 companies had C or Ccompanies had C or C-- averages in collegeaverages in college nn Fact: Nearly 75% of all U.S. Presidents were in theFact: Nearly 75% of all U.S. Presidents were in the bottom half of their school classesbottom half of their school classes nn Fact: More than 50% of all millionairesFact: More than 50% of all millionaires entrepreneurs never finished collegeentrepreneurs never finished college nn They All Had Passion, It Makes A Difference!They All Had Passion, It Makes A Difference!
- 14. 14 13. Positive Attitude:13. Positive Attitude: If You Believe You Can, You CanIf You Believe You Can, You Can nn Your Attitude Is a ChoiceYour Attitude Is a Choice nn Your Attitude Determines Your ActionsYour Attitude Determines Your Actions nn Your People Are a Mirror of Your AttitudeYour People Are a Mirror of Your Attitude nn Maintaining a Good Attitude Is EasierMaintaining a Good Attitude Is Easier Than Regaining OneThan Regaining One Words of Wisdom ~Thomas EdisonWords of Wisdom ~Thomas Edison nn ““Genius is 99% perspiration and 1%Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.”inspiration.” nn “If we did all the things we were capable of“If we did all the things we were capable of doing, we would literally astounddoing, we would literally astound ourselves.”ourselves.” nn “Many of life’s failures are people who did“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to successnot realize how close they were to success when the gave up.”when the gave up.”
- 15. 15 14. Problem Solving:14. Problem Solving: You Can’t LetYou Can’t Let Your Problems Be A ProblemYour Problems Be A Problem ““You can measure a leader by theYou can measure a leader by the problems he tackles. He always looks forproblems he tackles. He always looks for ones his own size.”ones his own size.” ~~John C. MaxwellJohn C. Maxwell Leaders With Good Problems SolvingLeaders With Good Problems Solving Abilities Demonstrate Five QualitiesAbilities Demonstrate Five Qualities nn They Anticipate ProblemsThey Anticipate Problems nn They Accept the TruthThey Accept the Truth nn They See the Big PictureThey See the Big Picture nn They Handle One Thing At a TimeThey Handle One Thing At a Time nn They Don’t Give Up On a Major GoalThey Don’t Give Up On a Major Goal When They’re DownWhen They’re Down
- 16. 16 15. Relationships:15. Relationships: If You GetIf You Get Along, They’ll Get AlongAlong, They’ll Get Along ““The most important single ingredient in theThe most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get alongformula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”with people.” ~Theodore Roosevelt, American President~Theodore Roosevelt, American President All people have some things in commonAll people have some things in common nn They like to feel special, so sincerely complimentThey like to feel special, so sincerely compliment them.them. nn They want a better tomorrow, so show themThey want a better tomorrow, so show them hope.hope. nn They desire direction, so navigate for them.They desire direction, so navigate for them. nn They are selfish, so speak to their needs first.They are selfish, so speak to their needs first. nn They get low emotionally, so encourage them.They get low emotionally, so encourage them. nn They want success, so help them win.They want success, so help them win.
- 17. 17 16. Responsibility:16. Responsibility: If You Won’tIf You Won’t Carry the Ball, You Can’t Lead the TeamCarry the Ball, You Can’t Lead the Team ““ Success on any major scale requires you toSuccess on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility. . .accept responsibility. . . In the final analysis, the one quality that allIn the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take onsuccessful people have is the ability to take on responsibility.”responsibility.” ~~Michael Korda,Michael Korda, EditorEditor--inin--chief of Simon & Schusterchief of Simon & Schuster Are You On Target When ItAre You On Target When It Comes To Responsibility?Comes To Responsibility? ““When an archer misses the mark he turnsWhen an archer misses the mark he turns and looks for fault within himself. Failureand looks for fault within himself. Failure to hit the bull’sto hit the bull’s--eye is never the fault of theeye is never the fault of the target. To improve your aim, improvetarget. To improve your aim, improve yourself.”yourself.” ~ Gilbert Arland~ Gilbert Arland
- 18. 18 17. Security:17. Security: Competence NeverCompetence Never Compensates For InsecurityCompensates For Insecurity ““No man will make a great leader who wants to doNo man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.”it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.” ~ Andrew Carnegie~ Andrew Carnegie,, IndustrialistIndustrialist Margaret Thatcher,Margaret Thatcher, world leaderworld leader nn ““You don’t follow the crowd, you make up yourYou don’t follow the crowd, you make up your own mind.” ~Words of encouragement fromown mind.” ~Words of encouragement from her fatherher father nn She stood for conviction in leadership.She stood for conviction in leadership. nn The “Iron Lady” was elected three consecutiveThe “Iron Lady” was elected three consecutive terms as prime minister.terms as prime minister. nn The ONLY British leader of modern era toThe ONLY British leader of modern era to achieve that great honor.achieve that great honor.
- 19. 19 18. Self18. Self--Discipline:Discipline: The FirstThe First Person You Lead Is YouPerson You Lead Is You ““A man without a decision of character canA man without a decision of character can never be said to belong to himself. . .never be said to belong to himself. . . He belongs to whatever can make captive ofHe belongs to whatever can make captive of him.”him.” ~John Foster~John Foster,, authorauthor ““Don’t quit, because once you in that modeDon’t quit, because once you in that mode of quitting, then you feel like it’s okay.”of quitting, then you feel like it’s okay.” ~~Jerry RiceJerry Rice,, Best Ever Wide ReceiverBest Ever Wide Receiver
- 20. 20 19. Servanthood:19. Servanthood: To Get Ahead,To Get Ahead, Put Others FirstPut Others First ““I don’t know what your destiny will be, butI don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: The ones among youone thing I know: The ones among you who will be really happy are those whowho will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”have sought and found how to serve.” ~ Albert Schweitzer,~ Albert Schweitzer, Philosopher & HumanitarianPhilosopher & Humanitarian ““The true leader serves. Serves people.The true leader serves. Serves people. Serves their best interests, and in so doing willServes their best interests, and in so doing will not always be popular, may not alwaysnot always be popular, may not always impress.impress. But because true leaders are motivated byBut because true leaders are motivated by loving concern rather than a desire forloving concern rather than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay thepersonal glory, they are willing to pay the price.”price.” ~~Eugene B. HabeckerEugene B. Habecker,, AuthorAuthor
- 21. 21 20. Teachability:20. Teachability: To Keep Leading,To Keep Leading, Keep LearningKeep Learning ““It’s what you learn after you know it all thatIt’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”counts.” ~~John WoodenJohn Wooden,, Hall of Fame Basketball CoachHall of Fame Basketball Coach Why Should You Keep Growing?Why Should You Keep Growing? nn Your growth determines who you are.Your growth determines who you are. nn Who you are determines who you attract.Who you are determines who you attract. nn Who you attract determines the success ofWho you attract determines the success of your organization.your organization. nn If you want your organization to grow,If you want your organization to grow, youyou have to remain teachable.have to remain teachable.
- 22. 22 21. Vision:21. Vision: You Can SeizeYou Can Seize Only What You Can SeeOnly What You Can See ““A great leader’s courage to fulfill his visionA great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”comes from passion, not position.” ~~ John C. MaxwellJohn C. Maxwell Vision is everything for a leader.Vision is everything for a leader. nn It leads the leader.It leads the leader. nn It paints the target.It paints the target. nn It sparks and fuels the fire within, andIt sparks and fuels the fire within, and draws him forward.draws him forward. nn It is also the fire lighter for others whoIt is also the fire lighter for others who follow that leader.follow that leader.
- 23. 23 RememberRemember ““If you can dream it, you can do it.”If you can dream it, you can do it.” ~~Walt DisneyWalt Disney