What is a Leader?

Leadership is a key function only some can attain in life. Being a leader is a trait that one is made into, not necessarily born with. A leader is a passionate yet civil person who can take something to a higher level. To lead a group of people, one must be able to understand the keys of being not just a leader, but a successful leader. The two traits that dictate this leadership are accountability and communication. Without these key traits, a leader would cease to exist.

Accountability is a necessity when it comes to being a leader. If you are a leader of a group of friends or a leader of a sports team, accountability is something each person following and listening to you will be looking for. A level of trust must be built for the accountable actions to be respected. Trustworthiness is hard to achieve, especially if you are new to becoming a leader or are trying to become one. To earn someone’s trust, you must understand who they are while also being vulnerable about yourself. Being over-vulnerable can lead to the person not trusting you, so it is crucial to be careful of the level of sensitivity that is being displayed. Once a leader has gained accountability and trust, it is up for them to put in the effort to continue keeping that.

Communication is key too many roles in life, but for a leader to truly succeed, they will learn that communication is an incredibly important part of leadership. Telling the group of people you oversee what to do should not sound bossy, but it also should not sound timid. Having a neutral voice that everyone can gravitate too is important in a leadership role. Abrasiveness can lead people away from a leader, so it is important to find a common ground and be open and understanding. Communication is a two-way street, so a leader must also be an active listener to the people they oversee because that is what they expect. Having this level of communication with people is crucial for leadership to succeed. Without leadership, the world would not be where it is today.