Leadership Driven: On Autopilot or Taking the Wheel

It has been said that the difference between a grave and a rut is about five and one-half feet.

Either locality is a place of stagnation or non-growth – a rut being the path followed by others, the status quo, or the attitude of, “if it is not broken don’t fix it.” So, what does a leader look and act like? What are the certain qualities that distinguish a leader from the rest of the pack or from being a manager?

A true leader shows the way that a team or a business can take to get out of any ruts that in which they are stuck.

These leadership qualities are paramount and are characteristically found in individuals that distinguish their work.

Some of those powerful leadership traits can include:

Being Ambitious:

Ambition means that they have a vision in mind for themselves, the team, company, and clients
Their ambition is to be personally successful without stepping on others, but rather keeping in step with the team by leading.
Their commitment embraces the reality that the rising tide raises all the ships.

Being Commanding:

They are confident, self-assured but not perfect and are willing to learn from their missteps.
They are not overbearing but lead by inviting others. They are the epitome of what cheerleading is all about.
They are confident in themselves and lead others by actions – therefore they are not micromanagers.
Their actions speak just as loud as or louder than their words.

Work Ethic:

Their work philosophy is “Do as I do, not just as I say.”
A true leader works alongside of their team or is in the trenches as well.

Pride:

Their work commitment is rooted in pride.
They are proud of their own work ethic and devotion to personal and professional success.
They take pride in their team, its growth and cohesiveness in accomplishments on a personal and team level.
They know that pride in work and achievement translates into success.

Innovative:

A characteristic of a leader is that they are innovative. They are driven by a vision for their own personal development and commitment to growth in all their areas of life.
A powerful outcome is that they foster innovation.
This innovation becomes the fertile ground for themselves, team-members, the company, and customer satisfaction.
They break the thinking of we have always done it this way and therefore free themselves from business ruts or the status quo.

Strategy Driven:

A quality characteristic of leader is that they are strategic. They are like master chess players and think two or three moves ahead. This strategy thinking keeps them ahead of the rest of the industry.
This strategic thinking captures the innovative spirit of others and ensures that all involved are strategically placed on the tip of the spear.

Straightforward:

As a quality leader, they are candid with themselves.
They want to know themselves, their strengths and challenges in order to foster growth.
They are also candid with others – not in the sense of being destructive, but constructive. Their motivation is not to tear others down, but build others up.
They realize the power of teamwork and honoring individuality.

It is important to recognize and build these powerful leadership traits within leaders (or even potential leaders). With Purpose has been helping to look for and develop leaders for 10 years. For more on what a leader looks like, and how to spot a good leader, feel free to reach out to With Purpose.

📞 Contact us today:

Cell: 321-363-9708
Email: lisa@withpurposellc.com