To be an effective leader, know the leadership definition

What is the right leadership definition? In fact let’s take a step back, what is leadership? What does it mean to be a leader? What is the definition of a leader? Knowing the answers to these questions is important because in order to be an effective leader, we must first know the meaning of leadership.

There are so many definitions of leadership. Even experts and leaders themselves seem to have different leadership definition.

We often hear words such as power, influence, capability, vision and inspiration being associated with leadership. It is true that a leader should have these qualities, but there are other important qualities that define leadership which are usually overlooked and given less emphasis by many.

Qualities such as trust, belief, flexibility and balance are often overlooked by people when defining a leader. Without any of these qualities, a leader ceases to be an effective one.

Someone may be very capable, have great vision and can influence others, but without those qualities they cannot bring stability and balance which is very important when leading a group.

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Here are some leadership definitions by some great leaders of the world:

As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; the next, the people hate. - Lao Tzu

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams

Here is my definition of leadership;

"A leader inspires others to see possibility when they have given up, to dream bigger when they dare not dream, to dig deeper when they thought they have no more to give, to discover a sense of purpose when they no longer find meaning in what they do, and to believe in their abilities when everyone else do not."

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Leadership is not management

One thing we must remember is that leadership is not management. Management is more concerned with handling tasks and ensuring stability – where everything is going as it should be. Whereas a leader inspires a group of people to envision, desire and work together towards the achievement of a common goal, while at the same time deriving a sense of meaning and purpose from it.

Anyone can be a leader, even if the only person they are leading is themselves.

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