Leadership is art of leading a group of people to attain a certain goal.
Without leadership qualities it is very difficult to write a big success
story either in business or in politics. Progress of a country or success
of a business depends on its leadership. This world is full of talented
and hard-working humans. There are brave persons in every street or block
of every colony. But if they don't get a good leader they won't be able to
combine themselves into a dynamic force. Without a good leader the best of
the businesses or the mightiest of the forces start crumbling. The history
is replete with examples how the personality of a leader plays an
important role in making or breaking an empire. Good leaders are needed
and respected in every field - politics, business, army, social reform
movements etc. Great leaders are not born, they acquire greatness with
total commitment to their purpose and by getting the support of others.
Any sensible person can become a dynamic leader by cultivating a few
qualities with diligence and persistence. Unless you develop these
qualities you will find it very difficult to manage people and get ahead
in any field. BE ENTHUSIASTIC
'Nothing great was ever achieved without
enthusiasm.' These words of great American philosopher Emerson carry
weight. Unlimited enthusiasm can give you unlimited success when it is
focused and directed towards the aim of your life. People rarely want to
follow a dull or unenthusiastic leader who is unable to arouse their
feelings. An unenthusiastic leader is like a dark night that makes you
take rest and sleep. How can such a person lead a group of people? In fact
enthusiasm is the biggest trait of a leader. See the speeches of the great
leaders or very successful business executives they all are very
enthusiastic person. Enthusiasm is actually a combination of several
things: interest in the subject and the people, determination to achieve
certain goals, self-confidence. MAINTAIN STRICT DISCIPLINE
What will happen if nature starts breaking the barriers of discipline.
The planets will collide with one another. The whole universe will be
totally disorganized and there won't be any human civilization on any
planet. Strict discipline keeps the universe throbbing with life. Actually
without swallowing the bitter pill of strict discipline it is hard to gain
the respect of people. If you are really a big leader people may tolerate
your habit of reaching late. They may wait for you for hours to have a
glimpse of your great personality and ready to clap even for your late
arrival. But late arrival of great leaders is also resented if it happens
again and again.
GET ADEQUATE STORE OF INFORMATION Napoleon, one of the greatest
warriors and conquerors in the history, was almost crazy for books. He
ordered latest editions even in the battlefield. Amazing! His hunger for
information became legendary. It is wisely said that knowledge is power.
All successful managers, military generals and political leader always
keep themselves informed. Without adequate information you can neither
analyze the facts properly nor launch any rational operation. Do your best
to get as many facts from as many sources as possible. If your have
information power on your side you can easily defeat a more powerful enemy
or competitor. The richest person of the world till date John D.
Rockefeller gave great priority to details. Alexander the Great spent a
lot of time in getting right information and only then he launched his
attacks. Akbar the great of India and Catherine the great of Russia always
surrounded themselves with wise men - the men of knowledge. Meet any
successful person today you will be surprised to know how well-informed
that person is. Right information has always proved the biggest power and
success tool of most of the great men and women. MANAGING YOUR ANGER
Anger not only makes enemies but also loses followers. You may be a
very wise and pure-hearted person but if you have a habit of losing
patience over trifles you will antagonize people. They will always pull
your legs and run you down. You can imagine how difficult it will become
for you to lead people to achieve your goals. And anger is not that bad in
case it is under control and chennelised towards the evils of the society.
It is senseless and uncontrolled anger that is always immensely harmful.
By willingness and constant practice you can learn the art of managing
your anger. Repeat 'OM' ten times before allowing your anger to burst.
Also visualize your anger to be melting down. This simple formula will
help you to manage your anger. CHARISMATIC PERSONALITY COUNTS
Charismatic leaders are more popular. Charisma mesmerizes everybody as
it generates hope in the power of a leader to do something for the public.
Charisma is in fact an attractive personality and it can be developed.
Many leaders get such a nice upbringing and atmosphere from their parents
that they get a good personality without making much efforts to develop it
themselves. But there are others who work very hard to develop it. Prophet
Mohammed, Guru Nanak, Napoleon, Mao, Mahatma Gandhi, Lenin, Bill Gates,
Dhirubhai Ambani, all of them had to work very hard to inject the light of
charisma in their personality. To make your personality charismatic you
need to take the following steps: 1.Have immovable self-confidence in you,
2.Keep all the facts to give you an air that you know all, 3.Surround
yourself with capable persons, 4.Maintain an air of power with the help of
money and material, 5.Give extra care to dress sense, 6.Be near the people
and help them to solve problems. DON'T BE TOO FRIENDLY If you want to
become a good leader you need to maintain a healthy distance from the
people. Don't be too friendly with anybody otherwise it may dampen your
charisma. People have faith in their leader as they think their leader can
do or achieve anything. Keep your problems to yourself. Never show the
scars or injuries of your heart to your followers. They are not there to
solve your personal problems but to take your help in solving their
problems. If personal meeting is arranged advise the person to say
everything in brief. Talk less and listen more. WHAT WILL YOUR FOLLOWERS
GET?
Who wants to follow a person when there is no gain. A leader is a
person who is capable enough to lead others to achieve a certain
objective. A leader successfully convinces the people that he is the only
one who can help them to solve their problems and lead them to success. A
leader understands people, knows their needs, arouses their hopes and
shows them the right path, and above all he is willing to sacrifice his
life for his followers. It is, therefore, necessary to tell the people
what they will get if they keep faith in you. And you have to create
confidence in them regarding your abilities. It sometimes takes years of
efforts. You must be sincere and honest to them otherwise nobody is going
to believe you. Prophet Mohammed and Mahatma Gandhi were recognized real
leaders when they were past fifty. It took them decades of hard work and
convincing before they were able to attract large number of followers.
FOLLOWERS NEED ADMIRATION
Admire your followers often and they would love to follow you. Every
person thinks that he is wise and does certain things in life which must
be admired. Criticism dissuades and repels the people. Hard criticism may
make them afraid for some time but secretly they start plotting against
you and damage your winning potential. So give admiration whenever needed.
But beware of flattery as it will lower your image and make the people
suspect your objectives. A subtle dose of praising words, for a person or
team who did a good job, is enough.
ART OF SPEAKING
The biggest and most effective tool of a leader is art of speaking.
Good public speakers are equally praised by the people and the media. They
make the people spellbound with their words. But the million-rupee
question is how one can acquire the art. Some leaders become well-versed
in this art by helpful and positive surroundings in a natural way. Others
have to work very hard to master it. Everyone knows that the greatest
leader of our country Mahatma Gandhi shivered to his bones whenever he got
up to speak a few lines even before a small group of known persons. But
with determination and constant practice he became one of the best
speakers of the world. Follow these points diligently to become efficient
in the art of speaking. 1. Get knowledge of the subject on which you want
to speak. What will you say to your audience till you know what to say?
Try to add some interesting information. 2. Practice your speech alone at
your home before a mirror, before a small gathering of your family members
and friends. (The great American leader Abraham Lincoln practiced it by
speaking loudly before the trees in the peaceful atmosphere of the jungle
where he lived with his poor family.) 3. Your pronunciation should be
good. You can acquire it by reading a newspaper loudly everyday. Take the
help of a learned person if needed.
Anandrahi (writer, educationist, consultant) Director: * WNN (Media
Network) * LSE-India (for Communication Skills and Personality
Development) * World Academy of Business Solutions (Consultancy Services
and Distance Education) * Delhi News (most famous fortnightly of West
Delhi) Resi: A-136 (backside), Sudershan Park, New Delhi-110015 (India)
Email: anandrahi@yahoo.co.in Phones: 93132-11011, 20002108, 98189-76123,
3097-3182, 98712-21243 Books Under Publication: 1. Fire of Success in Your
Mind, 2. Think Your Way to Wealth and Power ***
About the Author
Anandrahi is helping young persons and businessmen become successful,
especially in India and Asian countries. For free consultancy regarding
your personality, career or business problems write your problem in brief
to : anandrahi@yahoo.co.in
