Being a successful leader is much more than just having good skills.  Your personal attributes or characteristics are just as important to your success.  In fact some research would suggest that these are even more vital to your success.  Of the host of characteristics that leaders have, here are my top 7.

Commitment

Leadership is a marathon rather than a sprint.  You need to be willing to keep going whatever the obstacles and challenges.

Clarity

Good leaders know where they are heading and why.  They have clarity of purpose.

Communication

The best leaders speak well, write well and listen exceptionally well.

Courage

Leaders who have courage make the big calls even when there is personal risk.

Consistency

People like leaders who, no matter what, their style is consistent.

Caring

Good leaders are interested in a care about the success of others.

Challenging

The best leaders challenge others to achieve bigger things than they thought were possible.

I wonder what other characteristics from your own experience that you would add to the list?

Duncan Brodie helps accountants and health professionals to realise their professional potential. He invites you to take advantage of his free audio e-course, Leadership Success.

1. High levels of personal commitment and willing to do what it takes.
2. Ready and able to bounce back from setbacks and disappointments.
3. Able to keep hold of the bigger picture even when dealing with the here and now.
4. Committed to helping others to achieve success.
5. Willing to make the time for others.
6. Courageous and willing to make the tough calls, even if it might be unpopular.
7. Treat everyone fairly and with respect, whatever level they are at.

So what other attributes would you add to the list?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

I guess if you are reading this blog post, you are either a leader, an aspiring leader or someone with a real interest in leadership. So what questions do you need to think about when determining whether you are a leader or aspiring leader?

1. I am the type of person who makes things happen.
2. I see opportunities to take things forward within the organisation.
3. I influence the opinions and actions of others in a positive way.
4. I actively look for ways of helping others to achieve more success.
5. The people that are drawn towards me are highly motivated and success orientated.
6. I provide ideas that help the organisation.
7. I am generally positive even in the more challenging times.
8. When I make commitments, I generally follow through on them.
9. I am an ambassador or stand up for the organisation I work for.
10. I genuinely believe in myself.

At the end of the day, there are many things that contribute to an effective leader and this list should give you a useful start point in determining your leadership potential.

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to become highly effective leaders and managers. For more information click here

Stepping into a leadership role is a significant step in just about every profession.  Initially you feel excited and energised and appear to be going along on a crest of a wave.  Sadly, much as we would like this feeling to last for ever, the realities of leading is somewhat different. So what are some of the realities of leading?

Reality 1: It is stressful

If you are leading, chances are you will experience pressure, worries, anxieties and maybe even stress.  As a leader you need to look after yourself if you are to perform at your optimal level.  Part of taking care of yourself is taking regular exercise and eating sensibly.  I know from experience just how difficult it can be but it is up to you to make powerful choices.

Reality 2: People will look to you

As the leader, people will look to you for a whole host of things.  These might include, for example:

• To provide clear direction
• To sort out problems
• To reassure people when they are worried or concerned
• To make things happen
• To communicate with them regularly and effectively

The question you need to be asking yourself is whether you are willing to take on this role.

Reality 3: The buck stops with you

Your job as a leader is to deliver results, consistently.  If you do you will be rewarded well and progress in your career.  If you don’t, chances are that you will find that you come under a lot of pressure to stand down or are may be removed from your post.

Are you happy with this level of risk?  If not, then you need to think about whether leading is for you.

Bottom Line – Leading at any time is challenging.  In the currently tough economic climate it is even tougher.  The big question you need to ask yourself is whether you are ready for the challenges of leading.