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What is leadership? Its qualities are difficult to define.But they are not so difficult to identify.Leaders don't force other people to go along with them.They bring them along. Leaders get commitment fromothers by giving it themselves,by building an environment that encourages creativity, and by operating with honesty and fairness.Leaders demand much of others, but also give much of themselves.They are ambitious - not only for themselves, but also for those who work with them.They seek to attract, retain and develop other people to their full abilities.Good leaders aren't “lone rangers”.They'recognize that an organization's strategies for success require the combined talents and efforts of many people.Leadership is the catalyst for transforming those talents into results.Leaders know that when there are two opinions on an issue, one is not bound to be wrong.They'recognize that hustle and rush are the allies of superficiality.They are open to new ideas, but they explore their ramifications thoroughly.Successful leaders are emotionally and intellectually oriented to the future - not wedded to the past.Theyhave a hunger to take responsibility, to innovate, and to initiate.They are not content with merely takingcare of what's already there.They want to move forward to create something new.Leaders provide answers as well as direction, offer strenght as well as dedication,and speak from experience as well as understanding of the problems they face and the people they work with.
Leaders are flexible rather than dogmatic. They believe in unity rather than conformity.And they strive toachieve consensus out of conflict.Leadership is all about getting people consistently to give their best,helping them to grow to their fullest potential, and motivating them to work toward a common good.Leaders make the right things happen when they're supposed to.A good leader, an effective leader, is one who has respect.Respect is something you have to have in order to get.A leader who has respect for other people at all levels of an organization, for the work they do,and for their abilities, aspirations and needs, will find that respect is returned.And all concerned will bemotivated to work together.
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