What Makes a Good Leader

Below is an article that Christopher Scott wrote at helium.com a little while ago.

Read it and let Christopher know what you think.

Three ideas to improve your level of influence

What Makes a Good Leader?

There are three main things that make a good leader. The first is that a leader must practice what he preaches. The second is that he has to look after and protect those around him. The third is that he must be able to develop other good leaders. I will go into more detail about how to implement all three of these characteristics, so that you too can become a good leader.

A Good Leader Practices What He Preaches

A good leader is excellent at practicing what he preaches. I love the quote that states, "Your actions speak so loud that I can't hear what you are saying." The greatest leader of all time was Jesus Christ and he was the best at practicing what he preached. This goes back to the old proverb that says, "Live by the sword, die by the sword." This is the same with leadership and how much a leader abides by what he says. As a good leader, how can you expect people do what you say, when you don't even do what you say?

A Good Leader Develops Other Leaders

A good leader develops other good leaders. This can only be attained once a person has first become a good leader. How can you expect to develop other good leaders, if you are not one first? Most of this just boils down to taking the time to spend time with the leaders that you want to develop and cultivate. By being a good mentor, you can teach and coach them through their trials and tribulations as a young and developing leader. Sometimes just being there to help them get back up after they have fallen is all you have to do. One of the best ways that you can invest time, is by investing it in the relationships of others around you.

A Good Leader Looks After Those he Wants to Lead

A good leader looks after those he wants to lead. He does this by always doing what he can to protect them from harm, criticism, or blame from other people. People want security, that's why they buy SUVs, put money in their 401k, and stay at the same dead end job for years. It's integrated into our nervous system that we want to feel secure. When you have a team of people that you are leading, it can be very powerful when they know that you are on their side, and that you will do whatever you can to make sure that you protect them from harm of other outside forces. A big part of being a good leader is knowing how to take the blame when things go wrong, and how to give away credit when things go well. A good leader knows that when things go bad or wrong, it's his responsibility to take the blame, even if it was not his fault. And when things go well, a good leader knows that it's his responsibility to make sure that he gives the credit to the deserving person who did the great work. Hence, making that person look very good.

Conclusion

The making of a good leader is extremely broad, so I hope that I've narrowed it down into three simple strategies for you. If you practice what you preach, look after the others around you, and invest time to develop other good leaders, I believe that you will be well on your way to making yourself a good leader.

What do you think makes a good leader?

submit

Reply

Daniel Daniel Jul 26, 2009 @ 1:39 am

"A Good Leader Practices What He Preaches" very known phrase. Check this lens too: http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-be-a-leader

Reply

Suzan Suzan Dec 13, 2008 @ 12:00 am

Thanks so much! I needed some info for how to be a good leader for my social skills project and this site helped me a lot.

Reply

dat06deal dat06deal Sep 5, 2008 @ 12:48 pm

I REALLY ENJOY BEING AND OR BECOMING A GOOD LEADER

Reply

WritingforYourWealth WritingforYourWealth Aug 22, 2008 @ 9:34 pm

Looks good. A lot of people assume some people are just born to be good leaders, but the truth is good leaders are always learning and practicing what they learn!

Reply

Rupom Rupom Jun 17, 2008 @ 7:17 pm

Your article is gr8 but I dont think it's enough to define good leadership requirements. Communication is the main strength to be a good leader -- but you missed this point.

Reply

Rocky.. Rocky.. Jun 16, 2008 @ 9:01 pm

It couldn't have been more true in the 3 steps in becoming a leader!!! I thrive off of things like this! Thanks again for reminding me of what I really am.

Reply

girlie girlie Apr 2, 2008 @ 12:26 pm

this Certainley helped me with my R.E project!

Reply

riff999 riff999 Mar 19, 2008 @ 5:49 pm

Great info. Enjoyed the article.
~Jane

Reply

WhitneyWells WhitneyWells Mar 18, 2008 @ 11:38 am

I enjoy leadership studies and currently taking the Dale Carnegie Course - it is full of really helpful, valuable information. Would also recommend the book "Good to Great" it is another really good book and goes into the different traits of leaders, to include the "servant" leader. Good lens - will check back after you have refined it some more!

Reply

Feb 19, 2008 @ 5:14 am

Hello Christopher,
Good info,nice Lense.
Load More

Show All

Share this Guestbook
- Stumbleupon
- Facebook
- MySpace
- Twitter
- Digg
- Delicious
- RSS
- Email

The "best" book on what makes a good leader

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

by: John C. Maxwell

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $24.99
Used Price: $11.03

This is the single best leadership book that I've ever read!

Release Date: 12/31/1969

Avg. Customer Rating:

Usually ships in 24 hours

What do you think?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Share this poll
- Stumbleupon
- Facebook
- MySpace
- Twitter
- Digg
- Delicious
- Email

Books on how to be a good leader

These will help you develop your level on influence

You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader: How Anyone, Anywhere, Can Make a Positive Difference

by: Mark Sanborn

Release Date: 09/19/2006

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $15.99
Used Price: $1.92

Usually ships in 24 hours

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $22.99
Used Price: $0.29

The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $24.99
Used Price: $5.13

Usually ships in 24 hours

Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Used Price: $1.00

Usually ships in 24 hours

Developing the Leader Within You

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $9.74 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $14.99
Used Price: $4.49

Usually ships in 24 hours

Books to improve your leadership potential

The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

by: Mark Sanborn

Release Date: 04/20/2004

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $0.97

Usually ships in 24 hours

Developing the Leader Within You

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $9.74 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $14.99
Used Price: $4.49

Usually ships in 24 hours

The 360 Degree Leader Workbook: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $17.99
Used Price: $4.69

Usually ships in 24 hours

Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know (101 Series)

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Used Price: $2.40

Usually ships in 24 hours

Developing the Leaders Around You: How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential

by: John C. Maxwell

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $14.99
Used Price: $3.27

Usually ships in 24 hours

Who is Christopher Scott

Read Christopher's blog to learn more. . . .

Nonprofit Leadership, Innovation, and Change

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Helium.com

This lens supports A Day of Hope

A Day of Hope

A Day of Hope is a program of ASI, at California State University, Stanislaus which gives hope and encouragement by delivering baskets of food and turkeys to families for Thanksgiving. Baskets are delivered to needy families in Modesto and Turlock wh...

Support A Day of Hope

Revenue from this lens will be donated to A Day of Hope, a nonprofit program in Turlock California that delivers hundreds of baskets of food and turkeys to families in need every Thanksgiving.

Christopher invites you to play a part in this special event by making a small donation to support their work.

A Day of Hope is a program of the CSU, Stanislaus Foundation that delivers baskets of food and turkeys to needy families in Stanislaus County for Thanksgiving.

We at Squidoo passionately believe in creating new ways to support good causes online. By making a donation to A Day of Hope from this page, you are sending money directly to that organization, in whatever amount you want. We don't touch it. We don't even see it. The author of this page doesn't either. And if you made it this far, thanks for caring.

A Day of Hope blog

Follow the work of A Day of Hope by reading their blog

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

What Makes a Good Leader | Three ideas to improve your level of influence