The Leadership Thread

[Shapley]

We seem to be talking about leadership on two or three different threads. Therefore, I decided to add another.

What are the qualities that you look for in a leader?

Who are the people, past or present, you consider great leaders? What about them makes them great leaders?

Does one need great accomplishments to be a great leader, or is the act of leadership in and of itself enough to make a leader great?

V/R

Shapley

Please note, I will try to refrain from 'tearing down' any choices of leaders posted here. I want to know who they are, and why, not to debate their greatness.

[Shapley]

I guess one question I should add: Is a great leader great because he inspires a great number of followers, or is he great because he inspires people, whether in large numbers or small, to do great things?

I think a leader is great if he inspires towards greatness, regardless of how few he may inspire towards it.

[Haggis@wk]

I think a leader is great if he inspires towards greatness, regardless of how few he may inspire towards it.

That sounds more like a definition for a cult......

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

1. Really good hair.
2. Acceptably regular features. Distinguished-looking, even. Memorable, at the least.
3. Public speaking ability helps a lot. Speeches are important.
4. Being tall helps.
5. Good luck. And good timing. And good press.

[BigJon@Work]

Conveys ideas well
Doesn’t demand more of me than he is willing to do himself. He has a lead-from-the-front, in-the-trenches mentality, even if he can’t be there in reality, due to his position
Open to proof that he is wrong
Humble and contrite when proven wrong
Effusive with praise and spreading around the glory when successful
Keeps secret agendas so secret that I never know they are there
Doesn’t let s#!$ roll downhill

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

6. Character

(That's a summarization of most of BigJon's list, except for the "conveys" item that would kindof fit under my speechification item. I'm a shameless idea thief. I admit it openly.)

[Serenity]

1. Inspires others to act for the same or supporting cause
2. Clear sense of purpose or commitment to a cause
3. Focused on results
4. Works well with others
4a. Listens to what others are saying
4b. Encourages others to better themselves
5. Acts/ behaves according to one's inner values (stemming from self-knowledge and self-awareness)
6. Optimistic
7. Sense of humour

[Trumpetmaster]

1. Honesty
2. Integrity
3. Fairness
4. Presence

[jamiebk]

Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent

[shostakovich]

There's a story about an honored newscaster who was asked to explain his success. The answer could well apply to a politician. "Honesty, sincerity, integrity. If you can fake those, you've got it made."
Shos

[analog]

1. Competence, enough basic knowledge in the field that expectations are reasonable.

2. Humility, enough that authority does not swell the head, yet confidence enough to make a decision.

3. Personableness, what Captain Bligh is portrayed as lacking. Perhaps it's kindness; not to be confused with weakness.

4. Integrity - consistent and fair.