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Some leaders are born, others are made. The qualities are the same and the great thing about both kinds of leaders is that you will not notice the difference in the natural and self taught leader.
What all leaders have in common are certain attributes and these can be learned or they may have them naturally.
The first quality of a great leader is the ability to listen.

* Listen to what your workers are saying - if they have been doing a job for many years, they are probably going to know the best way to do it. Decisions can be yours but seek their advice and make them feel part of your team.

* Motivate - that means yourself as well as those who you are leading. Be definite , firm and make decisions. Be prepared to act on those decisions and make sure you have taken into account everyone's views.See above - you do not have to act on their views so long as you have given them a fair hearing and your decision is based on fairness.

* Serve - it may sound funny but leaders are those who serve - think of Gandhi and Jesus for example. Great leaders they were but they also served others. Good leaders serve and look after their team members or family members. their decisions have, at the heart of them, the welfare of their team.

* Be prepared to change . Sometimes the listening part brings up a point which you missed or is worth changing the way things work for improved efficiency- give credit to the person who gave you the information and be prepared to try new ideas and change. Also be prepared to know when things are not working and seek reasons why.

* Observe - apart from moods and off days, your team will give you a lot of feed back as to how things are going. This may be body language, efficiency or putting your ideas into practice. Know the difference between a bad mood and real difficulties and be prepared to approach members of the team to find out what is wrong - it could be simply they do not get on with their co-worker or have been used to another job. If you want to change how things are done, concentrate on their assets and be positive.

* acknowledge and reward. Just likes children, team members need recognition and acknowledgment. It re-affirms their place, it establishes their worth and it also make you a better leader if they know that hard work gets results. Do not let people work like stink for nothing or no reaction from you - you are the leader and it is up to you to lead.

Good leaders are made or bred and whichever route, a truly good leader is rare but precious. they are quick to praise and quick to sort problems out. They will discipline if necessary but will usually offer training or direction instead. They listen, observe their team and delegate fairly. In other words, they lead and manage fairly but firmly.

Learn more about this author, Sammy Stein.
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