being honest as a leader essay

The Power of Honesty and Integrity in Leadership

• August 12, 2023
• Integrity , Leadership , Observation , Perception , Trust (social sciences)

Are you ready to unlock the true potential of your leadership? In this article, we explore the power of honesty and integrity in guiding your team towards success. As a leader, your authority and influence rely on the trust you build with your team. When you embody honesty and integrity, your actions speak louder than words. People observe your every move, and they can easily discern between genuine leadership and deceit. So, let’s delve into the significance of trust, the consequences of dishonesty, and how cultivating a culture of honesty can elevate your leadership to new heights.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Honesty and integrity are crucial for a leader’s success.
• Dishonesty undermines a leader’s authority.
• Trust is essential for effective leadership.
• Success achieved dishonestly lacks true fulfillment.

The Importance of Honesty and Integrity in Leadership

You should understand that honesty and integrity are crucial for your success as a leader. The role of honesty in decision making cannot be overstated. As a leader, you will frequently encounter ethical dilemmas where honesty is a key value. Being honest in these situations not only demonstrates your integrity but also sets a positive example for your team. Honesty builds trust, which is essential for effective leadership. Your team closely observes your actions and will notice acts of integrity and kindness. On the other hand, dishonesty undermines your authority and erodes trust. While unethical behavior may lead to short-term gains, it ultimately results in long-term losses. Furthermore, dishonesty can never be hidden, and the consequences, such as the loss of self-respect, are significant. Achieving success honestly brings true fulfillment, pride, and self-respect. Honesty is the foundation for enjoying and sustaining success.

The Power of Observation in Leadership

As a leader, your team closely observes your actions and behavior, gaining in-depth knowledge about you over time. The role of observation in leadership is crucial in developing trust and building strong relationships. People want to believe in their leaders, and they often look for cues that validate their trust. By observing your actions, your team can assess your integrity and honesty. They can notice acts of transparency and kindness, which contribute to building trust. Moreover, observation allows leaders to be seen in a positive light. Positive qualities and ethical behavior are as perceptible as negative ones. Therefore, it is essential for leaders to be mindful of their actions and strive to set a positive example, as their team is closely observing them.

Building Trust and Perception as a Leader

When leaders are honest and transparent with their team, it gives them reasons to trust and perceive them positively. Fostering transparency in leadership is essential for building trust and perception as a leader. People want to believe in their leaders, and trust eliminates the need to question a leader’s integrity. By being open and honest, leaders can nurture trustworthiness in themselves. Positive qualities are as perceptible as negative ones, so leaders should give their team reasons to trust them. Trust allows leaders to be seen in a positive light, enhancing their influence and effectiveness. Building trust and perception requires consistent honesty, transparency, and integrity in all interactions. By embodying these qualities, leaders can inspire their team and foster a culture of trust and respect.

Consequences of Dishonesty in Leadership

Be aware that dishonesty in leadership undermines your authority and can have long-term consequences. Building trust is crucial in leadership, and dishonesty erodes that trust, leading to negative consequences that can persist over time. When leaders are dishonest, they break the bond of trust with their team members and colleagues. This damages the perception of their integrity and credibility. The long-term consequences of dishonesty include a loss of respect and reputation, which can be difficult to recover from. Additionally, dishonesty can lead to a breakdown in communication and collaboration within the team, hindering productivity and overall success. Leaders must understand that the short-term gains achieved through dishonesty are far outweighed by the long-term losses in trust, respect, and effectiveness as a leader.

The Significance of Achieving Success Honestly

You can only truly experience the fulfillment of success when you achieve it honestly and with pride. Ethical leadership is essential in ensuring genuine achievement. Success achieved dishonestly may bring material possessions, but it lacks the true fulfillment that comes from integrity. When you achieve success honestly, you can take pride in your accomplishments and maintain your self-respect. Material possessions alone do not guarantee happiness, but achieving success with integrity creates a sense of fulfillment and self-worth. Ethical leadership sets the foundation for enjoying and sustaining success, as it builds trust and fosters positive perception among your team and peers. By prioritizing honesty and integrity, you not only achieve success, but you also inspire others to do the same.

The Role of Honesty in Enjoying and Sustaining Success

To truly enjoy and sustain success, it is important for you to prioritize honesty and maintain a sense of integrity. As a leader, your success hinges on your ability to be vulnerable and connect with your team. Vulnerability allows you to build trust and foster open communication, which in turn boosts team morale and productivity. When your team trusts you, they feel secure and confident in your leadership. Trustworthiness is essential for effective leadership, as it creates a positive work environment where individuals feel valued and supported. Conversely, dishonesty erodes trust and undermines your authority. It is crucial to remember that your actions as a leader are closely observed and have a significant impact on team perception. By embodying honesty and integrity, you not only enjoy personal fulfillment, but also cultivate a strong and successful team.

The Impact of Honesty and Integrity on Leadership Effectiveness

Exhibiting honesty and maintaining integrity significantly enhance the effectiveness of your leadership. Transparency plays a crucial role in leadership, as it fosters trust and strengthens team morale. When you are honest and transparent with your team, they feel valued and respected. Transparency allows your team to understand the reasoning behind your decisions and actions, which helps to build trust. This trust eliminates the need for your team to question your integrity, allowing them to focus on their work and contribute their best efforts. Moreover, honesty positively influences team morale. When you lead with integrity, your team feels inspired and motivated to follow your example. They see you as a role model and are more likely to trust and respect your leadership. In turn, this fosters a positive work environment and enhances overall team performance.

Cultivating a Culture of Honesty and Integrity in Leadership

In order to cultivate a culture of honesty and integrity in leadership, it’s important to foster an environment where trust and transparency are valued and encouraged. Fostering ethical behavior and promoting transparency and trust are essential for effective leadership. When leaders are honest and transparent, they gain the trust and respect of their team members. People want to believe in their leaders and trust eliminates the need to question a leader’s integrity. Building trust is crucial because people closely observe their leaders and positive qualities are as perceptible as negative ones. By being honest and transparent, leaders give their team reasons to trust them and allow themselves to be seen in a positive light. Ultimately, cultivating a culture of honesty and integrity leads to stronger leadership and a more successful organization.

Inspiring Others Through Honest and Authentic Leadership

You can inspire others by leading with honesty and authenticity, gaining their trust and respect. When you lead with honesty and integrity, people are more likely to believe in you and follow your example. Authenticity allows you to connect with others on a deeper level, as they can see that you are genuine and true to yourself. By being open and transparent, you create an environment of trust, where people feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. This inspires creativity and collaboration, leading to better results. Moreover, leading with honesty and integrity builds your reputation as a trustworthy leader, which in turn attracts loyal followers. So, remember that inspiring others through authenticity and leading with honesty and integrity can have a profound impact on your leadership journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can leaders cultivate a culture of honesty and integrity within their teams.

To cultivate a culture of honesty and integrity within your team, focus on building trust and promoting open communication. Encourage transparency, lead by example, and address any unethical behavior promptly.

What Are Some Ways That Leaders Can Inspire Others Through Honest and Authentic Leadership?

Leading by example and fostering open communication are key ways leaders inspire others through honest and authentic leadership. By demonstrating integrity in your actions and encouraging transparent dialogue, you create a culture of trust and inspire your team to follow suit.

What Impact Does Honesty and Integrity Have on a Leader’s Effectiveness?

Honesty and integrity are crucial for your effectiveness as a leader. Trust and credibility are essential in building strong relationships. Without them, your authority is undermined and your success lacks true fulfillment.

Can Material Possessions Alone Guarantee Happiness and Fulfillment?

Material possessions alone cannot guarantee true happiness and fulfillment. Inner fulfillment comes from achieving success honestly, with integrity. True happiness is found in the pride and self-respect gained from honest accomplishments.

How Can Leaders Ensure That Their Actions Align With Their Values of Honesty and Integrity?

To ensure your actions align with your values of honesty and integrity, use alignment techniques like self-reflection and ethical decision making. By consistently evaluating your choices and staying true to your principles, you can lead with integrity.

Why Is Honesty Important in Leadership? (14 Reasons)

In a work environment where communication and collaboration are paramount, honesty stands out as a principle that distinguishes transformative leaders. It’s a non-negotiable element that infuses their leadership with authenticity and fosters a culture that employees believe in and rally behind.

Yet, even with the clear benefits of honesty, one might ponder the complexities it brings to professional management. How does a leader balance honesty with strategic discretion?

Stay with me as we navigate the complexities and triumphs of honesty in leadership that can inspire commitment and drive unprecedented success.

Table of Contents

Honesty Builds Trust Within the Team

Trust is the glue that binds leaders to their teams, creating a sturdy framework for all the relationships within an organization. When a leader is consistently honest, they lay a foundation of trust that makes employees feel secure, valued, and confident in their leadership.

This sense of trust leads to a myriad of positive outcomes, including:

• Increased willingness among team members to follow through on tasks.
• Openness to taking risks knowing they are backed by honest feedback.
• Reduced anxiety about hidden motives or unfair treatment.

Imagine a project manager who openly admits a mistake in an estimate that caused budget oversights. This admission, paired with a proactive approach to finding solutions, garners more respect and trust from the team compared to hiding the truth. When team members observe this transparency, their trust in leadership strengthens.

Honesty Strengthens the Leader’s Credibility

For leaders, every instance of communication is an opportunity to either build or erode credibility. Honesty in admitting mistakes, providing a clear rationale for decisions, and staying true to one’s word all contribute to a robust credibility account.

Leaders who model honesty set expectations for behavior within the organization, reinforcing a culture of integrity.

Consider the leader’s role in setting goals:

• Realistic and honest assessments of capabilities ensure the setting of achievable targets.
• Upholding promises regarding rewards and recognition further cement credibility.
• Honest appraisals about the state of affairs prevent the erosion of trust in leadership, even when outcomes are unfavorable.

Leaders with high credibility are often those who have been the most transparent and truthful with their teams, showcasing the power of honesty in fortifying a leader’s stance.

Honesty Fosters Open Communication

Open communication encourages the flow of ideas and feedback, which are essential for innovation and improvement. Honesty is a prerequisite for such openness to exist within a team.

When a leader is honest, it signals to team members that their genuine input is valued and that the leader is receptive to hearing the good, the bad, and everything in between.

This open-door policy, grounded in honesty, ensures that:

• Issues are surfaced and addressed promptly.
• There is room for constructive criticism that leads to positive changes.
• Team members feel included and integral to the decision-making process.

For instance, consider a scenario in a tech startup where honest discussions between the leadership and the development team about the feasibility of a product feature can lead to innovative solutions or timely course corrections, ultimately benefiting the organization.

Furthermore, honest communication from the leadership during times of change can greatly reduce employee anxiety and uncertainty. An honest explanation of the situation, what is expected, and how it will affect the team are all critical pieces of information that contribute to collective resilience.

Honesty Encourages Ethical Behavior

When a leader prioritizes honesty, they set the tone for the moral compass of the organization. This top-down approach to ethics shapes the behavior of the entire team, compelling them to act with integrity.

Leaders who prioritize truthfulness implicitly signal to their team that ethical standards are non-negotiable. This influence is far-reaching, impacting everything from how employees interact with each other to how the organization conducts business with its clients and partners.

Here’s what happens in an organization led by an honest leader:

• Ethical Considerations: In decision-making scenarios, honest leaders are more likely to consider the ethical implications of their choices, leading to fair and just outcomes.
• Culture of Integrity: By displaying honesty, leaders can kick-start a chain reaction where ethical behavior becomes the norm rather than the exception.
• Emphasis on Morality: The prioritization of honesty over convenience or short-term gain highlights a leader’s commitment to moral principles.

An example of ethical behavior inspired by honesty could be a manager who discovers an accounting error that, if reported, would result in lower quarterly bonuses. Choosing to report it anyway demonstrates that honesty takes precedence over personal gain, encouraging the team to act honestly even when it’s hard.

Leaders who are honest and demand honesty also find themselves well-equipped to handle ethical dilemmas. They are seen as trustworthy figures who can navigate the murky waters of moral challenges, setting benchmarks for ethical behavior across their organizations.

Honesty Ensures Accountability

Accountability and honesty walk hand in hand within the realm of impactful leadership. They form a cycle where honesty demands accountability, and accountability reinforces honesty.

Leaders are the stewards of their team’s objectives, and ensuring accountability involves:

• Taking ownership of both successes and failures.
• Being clear about expectations and the consequences of not meeting them.
• Regularly reviewing team goals and individual performance openly.

If a project fails to meet its target, an accountable and honest leader would openly discuss what went wrong and how to address the issues rather than assigning blame. Such behavior fosters a learning culture rather than a punitive one.

Honesty Promotes a Culture of Transparency

Transparency in the workplace is directly tied to the level of honesty exhibited by its leaders. It’s about providing the team with the information they need to understand their work and the business.

Here’s a detailed look at how honesty propels transparency:

• Information Sharing : An honest leader willingly shares pertinent information with their team, creating a shared understanding of both challenges and achievements.
• Open Organizational Policies : Leaders committed to honesty are more likely to advocate for and implement policies that lay bare the intricacies of company operations, staff performance, and financial health.
• Decision Justification : When decisions are made transparently, with honest explanations provided to the team, it builds an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and informed.

For illustration, consider a company that is facing financial difficulties. A transparent leader will honestly communicate the situation, what is at stake, and the steps they plan to take to address these issues. Such transparency not only helps to prevent rumors and anxiety but also invites collective problem-solving and fosters a sense of unity.

A transparent culture, underpinned by honesty, also encourages an environment where employees are more engaged, as they understand the part they play in the larger mission of the organization.

Honesty Improves Problem-Solving Skills

Honesty paves the way for objective analysis and constructive criticism, which are crucial components of problem-solving. Without an honest appraisal, problems may be misconstrued, leading to ineffective solutions. In contrast, when leaders are forthright about challenges, it enables a team to address the root causes rather than just symptoms.

Benefits of Honesty in Problem-Solving:

• It prevents the waste of resources on incorrect solutions.
• It encourages a proactive approach to challenges.
• It creates a learning environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth.

Consider a scenario where a product in development is not meeting standards. An honest leader would openly address the shortcomings of the project, facilitating a collaborative effort amongst team members to brainstorm and implement viable solutions.

In fostering a climate where truthfulness is paramount, a leader ensures the cultivation of advanced problem-solving skills among the team. This approach drives innovation, as well-developed problem-solving skills are necessary to navigate complex challenges and come up with creative solutions.

Honesty Enhances Decision-Making Processes

When decisions are made with honesty, they reflect the integrity of the leadership and build trust in the organizational direction. Decisions become less about individual agendas and more about collective progress, further solidifying the leader’s role as a fair and just navigator.

Let’s delve into how an honest approach impacts the decision-making process:

• Clarity and Focus : Honesty cuts through biases and allows leaders to focus on the most crucial aspects of a decision, leading to clearer and more effective outcomes.
• Informed Choices : With honest information, leaders can make informed decisions that reflect the true state of affairs and anticipated implications.
• Consistency : Honesty fosters consistency in decision-making, as objectives and actions are aligned with transparent and genuine reasons.

For example, in making a strategic shift, an honest leader will weigh the pros and cons with transparency, clearly communicating the reasoning behind the decision to all affected stakeholders. This approach minimizes resistance and fosters an environment where decisions are understood and supported.

Honesty Helps in Managing Crises Effectively

An honest leader acknowledges the gravity of a crisis and their role in resolving it without resorting to blame games or denial. They understand that honest disclosure, coupled with action plans, is the fastest way to restore normalcy and maintain the trust of those who depend on their leadership.

Here’s how honesty assists in crisis management:

• Timely Disclosure : Honest leaders do not withhold information during crises, ensuring that everyone is aware of the situation promptly.
• Accurate Information : By prioritizing truthfulness, leaders prevent the spread of misinformation that can exacerbate crises.
• Credibility in Response : An honest approach during crises maintains the leader’s credibility, as stakeholders feel confident in the leader’s ability to navigate challenges.

Handling crises with honesty might involve admitting to a product flaw and issuing a recall or being open about organizational changes that may cause concern among employees. These actions, grounded in truth, help to mitigate panic and encourage a united front in finding solutions.

Honesty Sets a Strong Example for Others to Follow

Leadership is as much about influence as it is about authority, and when a leader embodies honesty, it cascades throughout the organization.

Here’s the impact of setting an honest precedent:

• Role Modeling : Leaders are observed and emulated, so their honesty becomes a benchmark for others.
• Culture Shaping : Consistent honesty from a leader fosters a culture where truthfulness is valued and replicated across all levels of the organization.
• Standard Setting : An honest leader’s actions set the standards for conduct, impacting the overall ethical demeanor of their teams.

Imagine a scenario where a leader transparently handles a mistake they’ve made in a high-stakes project. By openly acknowledging the error and detailing corrective steps, they demonstrate accountability and encourage their team to do the same.

Such an example can clearly establish an expectation of honesty that becomes part of the company’s culture and ethical code.

Honesty Contributes to a Positive Reputation

The effect of a positive reputation extends into all areas of business, from attracting top talent who want to work in an upright environment to drawing in loyal customers and investors who trust the company’s guidance.

Here’s how an honest approach by leaders can shape their and their organization’s reputation:

• Trustworthiness : A reputation for honesty ensures members of the organization and the public view the leader as trustworthy.
• Reliability : Honesty in past actions assures others that the leader can be relied upon in the future.
• Goodwill : An honest track record builds goodwill, which can be invaluable in challenging times or during negotiations.

When leaders choose honesty, even in difficult situations, they are building an enduring positive reputation. For instance, leaders who openly communicate during a recall can maintain or even improve the company’s reputation because stakeholders understand and appreciate transparency in the face of adversity.

Honesty Supports Personal and Professional Growth

The culture of honesty catalyzes a learning environment where everyone is focused on developing skills and competencies. As individuals grow, so does the organization, benefiting from the enhanced capabilities and insights of its workforce.

Here’s how:

• Personal Reflection: An honest leader encourages individuals to self-reflect and recognize their own areas for improvement.
• Constructive Feedback: Providing genuine, actionable feedback ensures that employees have a clear direction for growth.
• Empowerment: By valuing honesty, leaders empower team members to take charge of their personal development.

To put this into context, consider an employee whose performance has dipped. An honest leader would address the issue directly, offering support and feedback to help the employee get back on track. This kind of honest appraisal is instrumental in helping team members grow as they learn to face challenges head-on and work on solutions.

Honesty Attracts and Retains Talent

Employees tend to stay longer with companies that operate truthfully, where managers are candid about both challenges and opportunities. This straightforward communication helps to align employee expectations with reality, fostering job satisfaction.

Moreover, in an environment that values the truth, employees feel secure enough to engage genuinely with their work, leading to an innovative and productive atmosphere. This is again tied to the attraction and retention of talent – employees want to grow and contribute to a company that respects and nurtures their input.

Honesty Creates a Predictable and Secure Environment

By communicating frankly, leaders can ensure that employees feel secure, and aware of their roles, the company’s prospects, and potential challenges. This clarity helps them concentrate on their tasks rather than worrying about unknowns.

Security is deeply valued in the workplace:

• It encompasses stability in knowing that honest communication will prevail in all situations.
• Employees are reassured by the predictability of processes and expectations.

In contrast to a workplace mired in uncertainty, an honest atmosphere assures team members of where they stand. Trust in the leadership’s communication means that the company’s direction and changes won’t come as unwelcome surprises. Thus, honesty in leadership doesn’t just create a secure present—it builds a predictable path for the future, enhancing overall organizational stability.

Final Thoughts

Honesty is the thread that weaves through the tapestry of a leader’s narrative, holding together the story of a team’s collaboration, persistence, and triumphs. It is the cornerstone upon which trust is built and from which respect is derived.

As we close this discourse, let us not forget that the impact of an honest leader reverberates far beyond the walls of an office into the hearts and minds of the people they guide. In embracing honesty, leaders do more than create a following—they inspire a movement.

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Bea Mariel Saulo

Feb 15, 2023

Essays on Leadership for Students | 200 - 500 Word Essays

Are you writing an essay about leadership? Check out these examples!

Leadership is often defined as "the action of inspiring others to act in concert to achieve a particular goal." It signifies the harmony in actions that lead to a common objective. A genuine leader not only exudes confidence but also paves the way for their followers towards triumph. Over the years, various leadership styles have been identified and discussed by psychologists.

 Qualities such as intelligence, adaptability, extroversion, innate self-awareness, and social competence often emerge as the hallmarks of impactful leaders. There's a consensus that these traits mold an individual into an effective leader. Interestingly, some theories suggest that extraordinary situations can thrust an ordinary individual into the spotlight, bestowing upon them the mantle of leadership. It's also believed that leadership isn't a static trait but an evolving journey. It underscores the belief that with dedication and the right resources, anyone can hone their leadership abilities.

 True leadership goes beyond merely advocating for a cause. It involves taking responsibility, igniting motivation in others, and differentiating oneself from just being a 'boss'. A leader's essence lies in their ability to inspire and propel people towards grand visions, whereas a manager typically focuses on oversight and operational aspects.

What Is a Leadership Essay?

A leadership essay falls under the category of student application essays and serves to provide student admissions officers with insight into your past leadership experiences. Despite appearing to be very specific, this type of essay acknowledges that the nature and perception of leadership can vary significantly depending on the individual and the context.

 If you find yourself in need of further insights or a unique angle for your leadership essay, consider exploring an expert essay-writing tool designed to assist students in crafting compelling narratives by analyzing vast data and generating fresh ideas within minutes. In this article, we'll also delve into various leadership essay examples to offer a clearer understanding of the genre and inspire your writing journey.

4 Examples of Leadership Essays

Qualities of a good leader, introduction.

Confidence is the most important attribute first of all. One of the most important qualities in a leader is confidence in one's own abilities. A lack of self-assurance is fatal to a person's leadership potential. If you want others to follow you, you need to exude self-assurance. It's imperative for a leader to have faith in his own judgment and actions. How can people want to follow him if he doesn't even know what he's doing?

Every effective leader knows that they need to be an inspiration to their followers. A leader needs to set an example for his team. In addition, he ought to inspire them whenever feasible. A leader must also maintain optimism in trying times.

What qualities a good leader must have?

Leadership is the ability to influence and guide individuals or groups toward a common goal. A leader must possess several qualities to be effective, including:

Communication skills: A leader must be able to communicate their vision and goals clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. This requires excellent listening skills, empathy, and the ability to adapt to different communication styles.

Emotional intelligence: A leader must be able to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as those of their team members. This includes being able to understand and respond to the emotions of others, and handling conflicts in a constructive manner.

Visionary: A leader must have a clear and inspiring vision of the future, and be able to articulate this vision in a way that motivates others to work towards it.

Strategic thinking: A leader must be able to think critically and creatively to identify and solve problems, make decisions, and develop plans and strategies to achieve their goals.

Flexibility: A leader must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be open to new ideas and perspectives. This requires the ability to embrace change, be innovative, and continuously learn and grow.

Integrity: A leader must have strong ethics and values, and be willing to make difficult decisions that are consistent with their beliefs. This requires honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Decisiveness: A leader must be able to make tough decisions quickly, without undue hesitation or procrastination. This requires courage and the ability to take calculated risks.

Empowerment: A leader must be able to delegate responsibilities, give team members the resources they need to succeed, and foster a sense of ownership and accountability among their team.

Conclusion 

These qualities are essential for effective leadership, and when combined with hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence, can help leaders to achieve great things.

How one can be a Great Leader?

Leadership is the act of performing the duties of a leader. In the business world, for instance, it is essential to have someone in charge of a team to ensure everything runs well. Effective leadership is essential for any group that wants to maximize its prospects of success.

Leadership Comes from Experience

As we've shown, leadership can be innate in some cases but is more often learned through practice and exposure. Sometimes the best traits of a leader must be learned over a lengthy period of time, so that one can become a notable one, proving that leadership is not always about a person's innate qualities. Leaders should continuously be on the lookout for opportunities to grow their leadership skills.

Nobody can disagree that experience is a key component of leadership. Numerous examples exist to back up this claim, such as:

Instance 1:

Our school's head boy or girl has traditionally been an older student who has been around for a while and thus has a better grasp of the ins and outs of school politics.

Instance 2:

When there is a vacancy for a team leader, it is common practice for the employee who has consistently put in the most effort and attention to the office job to receive a higher number of votes than their coworkers. 

“The best teacher for a leader is evaluated experience.” - John C. Maxwell

How one can be a Great Leader/Skills to be a Great Leader?

Effective leadership is a skill that develops through time. Developing into a leader with all the qualities that are needed takes a lot of hard work and potential. Being a prominent leader calls for a wide variety of traits. Some of these characteristics are addressed in further detail below:

One should be a Good Communicator

To be an effective leader, one must be able to convey his thoughts clearly to his/her/its subordinates.

Should have Confidence

The individual should have faith in what he says and does.

Give Credit to other Team Members too

A leader not only needs to impose his viewpoints and opinions instead he must also hear to the suggestions of other members of the team and offer them credit if their concept is appropriate.

Good Bond with the Team

A leader's ability to command respect from his team members depends on his ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with them.

Leads with Responsibility

A leader needs to be completely committed to his position. It's important that he takes on responsibility so that he can effectively deal with the various challenges he will inevitably face.

Any group or organization needs a leader above all else. Leadership development takes time and effort. One needs to have lived through a lot to be an effective leader. It's not enough to simply have years of experience in the field; one must also have the traits that make one an effective leader. You can't be a great leader unless you possess certain traits.

What makes a Good Leader?

Trying one's hand as a leader appears easy when viewed through this lens. Is that so tough? Of course not; leading is difficult, and not everyone aspires to be a leader. The vast majority of us have settled into well-established careers where we report to superiors and make a living. Still, not everyone is content to go along with the crowd. They become leaders in whatever field they pursue. A leader is an example to followers and will prioritize the needs of those around them.

Some Unique Qualities of a Leader

Many individuals resort to their leaders to vent their frustrations, therefore it's important for them to be good listeners.

A leader ought to be completely forthright; they can't play favorites or give anyone preferential treatment. One of the most essential qualities of a strong leader is the ability to make decisions with integrity.

They need to be aware of the bigger picture and understand what makes an individual stand out or become a leader. It's their expertise in addition to other distinguishing traits. Their awareness of current events and the results of recent studies is essential. In many ways, this is helpful, and it's the leader's responsibility to stay current.

Since some might not understand them, they should utilize straightforward, easily comprehended language. Leaders need to be able to communicate effectively at all times. In reality, what sets them apart is their exceptional communication skills. Adolf Hitler was such a gifted orator that his followers believed every word he said.

No matter how you're feeling or what's going on in the world, if you listen to a leader, they may make you feel energized. Since leaders are in charge of inspiring confidence in their followers, they can't afford to be wary or unsure of themselves. People tend to blindly follow their leaders.

Whether you're a leader or a doctor, you should devote yourself completely to your chosen field. Everything we do is for the benefit of others; engineers, for example, spend much of their time designing and constructing buildings for other people. So, take pride in what you do, and if you possess the aforementioned traits, you are also a leader who doesn't have to rely on others to succeed. No matter what you do, aspiring to leadership positions will always benefit others.

What is Leadership in Management and what are the weaknesses and strengths of a Leader?

Simply said, leadership is acting as a supervisor or manager of a group. Different mental pictures pop up when we hear the word "leadership" used in conversation. One might think of a political leader, team leader, corporate leader, school leader, etc. Leaders facilitate order and efficiency in the workplace. Teamwork and success are fundamental to effective leadership. Leaders utilize their managerial abilities to establish courses and guide their teams to success.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Leadership

Able to express oneself more clearly

Growth of character.

Self-awareness.

Possession of teamwork skills.

Gain assurance in yourself.

Weaknesses:

Acting favorably toward one's teammates.

Having no faith in the leader.

Thinks they're better than everyone else, but act hypocritically.

Not living up to the promised standard.

Insufficient morals.

Leadership and Management

Management and leadership are inextricably linked to one another. Leadership and management are both vital to the efficient operation of an organization; but, they accomplish very different things in the process. Leadership is a necessary skill for anyone aspiring to be an effective manager. The terms management and leadership are synonymous with one another. In this manner, we are able to draw the conclusion that a manager who demonstrates the traits of a successful leader is, in fact, a manager who is effective.

Leadership in School

Leadership is essential in nearly every group, as we've seen above. That group includes one's educational institution. Every school needs an outstanding figure to serve as its head of school. Class monitor, assembly captain, cultural leader, etc. are all examples of leadership roles that can be taken on at school, but this raises the question of what makes a person a successful school leader.

Any student hoping to be chosen as a student body leader will need to demonstrate a wide range of competencies. He or she needs to be a consistent student who pays attention in class and does well in extracurricular activities. For the simple reason that no intelligent and hardworking kid would ever be considered for leadership. Student leaders are most often selected from among those who participate fully in all activities.

Leadership in Organization

Leadership in an organization, also known as organizational leadership, is the process of establishing long-term objectives that further the company's mission and help it reach its ultimate destination. This is a classic illustration of how Bill Gates often works with his team: they agree on a strategy, and Gates implements it. To the same extent, it is the responsibility of the leader in each given organization to determine what it is that the group is trying to accomplish.

Leadership in Politics

Leadership in politics, also known as political leadership, is the process of becoming actively involved in a political party in the role of a party leader. Knowledge of political processes, their outcomes, and the political agenda is central to the idea of political leadership.

An effective leader can be developed in anyone who has the determination and drives to do so. Both the strengths and the areas for improvement should be nurtured. Whether in the classroom, the workplace, or the political arena, leadership is always necessary. Therefore, one can exercise leadership anywhere they like inside their own organization.

What are the types of Leadership?

The ability to lead is a rare trait that not everyone possesses. The ability to do so is a gift, so count your blessings if you possess it. It's recommended that you hone it even more so that you can propel your career forward and serve as an example to people around you. However, it is crucial to grasp the various leadership styles before you go ahead and polish your skills.

Types of Leadership Styles

Democratic Leadership

In this style of management, subordinates are given a voice in decision-making. Although the subordinates' efforts are highlighted, the leader is ultimately held responsible for the group's actions. Many people find this type of leadership to be effective.

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders motivate and inspire others to adopt new behaviors and ways of thinking in order to improve their own performance and that of their teams and organizations. A transformational leader is someone who encourages their team to strive for greater things and works to boost morale and output.

Team Leadership

A good leader fully incorporates his team into the task at hand. Members of the team are motivated to reach their goals and advance in their careers thanks to the leadership of the group.

Strategic Leadership

It requires a chief executive who doesn't restrict himself to brainstorming sessions with his superiors. He contributes on every level of the team. He is well-liked for his ability to unite the need for fresh ideas with the necessity of grounding them in reality.

Autocratic Leadership

The leader in a command and control structure is the center of attention. The chief executive has absolute power in this setting. He decides things on his own, without polling his staff. He relays this information to his staff and stresses the importance of swift action. The buck stops with him, and he alone must answer for his actions. Not much room for negotiation exists. It's no secret that this method of leading has its detractors.

Visionary Leadership

This kind of leader appreciates the abilities and requirements of his team members. He describes his ideal outcome and the teamwork that will be necessary to attain it.

Coaching Leadership

Leaders who coach their teams do so regularly in an effort to raise output. He inspires his employees to do better and works to keep them motivated. This approach to leadership has been much praised.

Facilitative Leadership

With occasional guidance, a facilitative leader ensures that the process runs smoothly for his team. As a precaution in case his team is ineffective. If the team is highly effective, the leader will take a hands-off approach.

Cross-Cultural Leadership

The leadership of this type is necessary when interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds. Because of the wide variety of cultures represented in the workforce across the United States, many managers and executives hold cross-cultural positions.

Laissez-Faire Leadership

The members of the team are given responsibility in this style of management. They are free to choose how they spend their time at work, with minimal oversight from the boss. It's not a good way to lead, according to experts.

Transactional Leadership

An interactive approach is integral to this kind of leadership. When team members successfully implement their leader's ideas and choices, they are rewarded with immediate, material benefits.

Charismatic Leadership

In order to bring out the best in his followers, this kind of leader makes the effort to change their attitudes, values, and actions.

This article should dispel the notion that leadership qualities can't be further subdivided. It should also assist you in pinpointing your own personal brand of leadership so you can perfect it over time.

Final Words

In conclusion, leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept that involves various qualities and skills. Effective leaders possess traits such as integrity, vision, empathy, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. They are able to navigate challenges, make difficult decisions, and lead their team toward success. Leadership also involves continuous learning and self-improvement, as leaders must adapt to changing circumstances and remain relevant. Effective leadership can have a positive impact on both individuals and organizations, fostering growth and creating a culture of success.

You can use Jenni.ai to quickly compose an essay on leadership, or any other topic, of your choosing. It's a fantastic choice that promises convenience and relief. Create an essay on any topic in a matter of minutes with the help of our AI-powered program. Membership is immediately available upon your free registration here.

You can use Jenni.ai to quickly compose an essay on leadership, or any other topic, of your choosing. It's a fantastic choice that promises convenience and relief. Create an essay on any topic in a matter of minutes with the help of our AI-powered program. Sign up on Jenni.ai and get a free trial.

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Honesty is the core of Leadership

• Diana Coker
• July 17, 2015

leadership qualities

A leader can motivate followers and inspire them to rise above in life. If they want to achieve respect and trust from the followers, they need to be honest and must value integrity. Much of it, leadership that is, depends on the techniques involved in motivating followers and arranging required sources to accomplish a goal. Honesty is also referred by positivity and integrity. The ability to develop trust in followers and legitimacy is based on honesty. Effective leaders always follow these principles. They draft and lead the way, they produce a vision of upcoming missions, inspire people, help others and encourage their team members. They set a strong example with their honesty to inspire followers and other people.

Leadership Qualities

People always demand honest leaders like Martin Luther King or Sir Abraham Lincoln. When you become a leader, before starting the leadership program, assume that people think of you as a dishonest human. In order to show them that you are an honest individual, you will have to prove yourself. People will never take you as an honest person just because you have never been caught lying. Admitting your mistakes in front of people gives them a strong, positive vibe about your honesty.

Opportunities to display honesty do not just occur on a daily basis. By being honest to your own self, your organization and outside, you will increase your sphere of influence. People will trust you implicitly, and will look up to you as a person who is worth following. You will further inspire them to follow the path of honesty. Honesty is claimed to be one of the crucial elements of great leadership. Great leaders follow the five rule goal that are:

Model the path

According to this rule, the leader should explain values and goals honestly to his followers/employees. A leader should set a good example for others and inspire them for being honest.

Inspire a joint vision and aim.

An honest leader envisages a better future for his organization and followers and enlists them to his people so they can be involved in the decision-making process, which motivates them.

Challenge the framework and current process

An honest leader searches for various new opportunities for his followers and organization. The leader would never fear from taking the risks in newer experiments.

Inspire other to take the reign in their hands and act.

Leaders collaborate with people’s need and mobilize their teams. Great leaders never retreat from empowering their team members.

Encourage People’s Efforts and Appreciate them.

An honest leader never claims all the success on his own account, a leader recognizes, appreciates and rewards the contributions along with celebrating the value and success.

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Honest Leadership: How to Bring It More Often (and Why It Matters)

Most of us appreciate honesty, which is why honest leadership is in such demand. In fact, recent research by Professors Kouzes and Posner in the book the Leadership Challenge show that honesty is the most sought-after leadership quality .

Their research has been repeated across multiple countries over several decades. Honesty has always been in the top four leadership characteristics, with the most recent study being completed in 2017.

In this post, I’m going to take a look at honest leadership, why it matters and how we can be honest more often.

Are You Demonstrating Honest Leadership?

Most of the thoughtful leaders I speak to would probably say they’re quite honest in leadership. However, I don’t think we’re being as honest as we could be.

When I run leadership training, I like to run polls with the leaders in the room to see if I can uncover some of the trends out in the workplace.

The types of things I’m interested in are why leaders struggle to have difficult conversations and what sometimes stops leaders from doing the good leadership things they know they want to be doing.

These polls are not scientific of course. However, I find that what the leaders tell me is consistent with what I’m seeing in workplaces and through the experiences of my coaching clients.

Some Recent Insights From My Leadership Training Attendees

Here are some of the insights I’ve gathered recently:

• The top things these leaders were worried about when having a difficult conversation were upsetting the other person , and dealing with the other person’s emotions .
• Feeling anxious was by far and away the most prominent emotion felt by leaders who had to tackle a difficult conversation with a team member; and
• The most common time management challenges faced by these leaders was being interrupted by other people , and struggling to say “No” .

One of the things I notice about these points is that these leaders are experiencing significant stress related to safeguarding other people’s feelings.

They don’t like saying “No”, they tolerate interruptions for fear of being seen as rude, and they feel anxious when faced with difficult situations.

This is not to say that these leaders are weak or submissive. In my view, it’s more that the natural need for approval , to get along with people and feel accepted as part of a group is coming out strongly and raising stress levels for these leaders.

All of the anxiety and feelings of needing to be liked or accepted are natural. But sometimes, we need to resist them in order to lead effectively and be more honest in leadership.

Learn More:   Essential Daily Habits to Maintain Your Workplace Wellbeing .

Avoidance: The Bane of Honest Leadership

In another recent training session I ran to help leaders develop better coaching skills, one of the activities had a scenario where a team member had bad body odour.

The exercise was a questioning skills role play, where the leader had to ask questions to uncover more of the context behind the problem.

Instead of starting with something like “I’ve noticed that sometimes you have bad body odour at work. Are you aware of this issue?”, every group asked questions to try to get the person to discover for themselves they had bad body odour, without telling them directly .

I realise that body odour conversations are very personal and can be extremely tough (and have had to have these conversations myself).

However, I was surprised at people’s natural tendency to avoid broaching the topic directly, and to dance around it instead. It was more surprising because this was only a role play – it wasn’t even a real situation!

Most People Would Prefer Honest Leaders

If you ask most people in the street, they’d probably tell you that “of course we want honest leaders”.

So why then, do we still see toxic workplaces, bad behaviour, political manoeuvring if everyone knows we should be more honest and open?

Now, I’m not saying that a lack of honesty is the reason behind all leadership problems. However, I believe it has a significant part to play.

I don’t believe that leaders are going around telling outright lies, either. But I do believe that avoidance is a very common form of dishonesty .

• Withholding information.  Holding back what we really need to say, to spare somebody’s feelings.
• Softening our message.  Watering down our words, or using false praise to make sure we don’t offend someone or come across as critical.
• Not taking action. This might involve putting off a difficult conversation or delivering an unpleasant message altogether. Sometimes, we might hope that the problem will go away by itself.

You might have noticed some of these creeping into your leadership from time to time. I know I certainly have fallen prey to these, or at least felt tempted to avoid unpleasantness in certain situations.

Learn More:   Thoughtful Leader Podcast #175: Avoiding Conflict? Here’s What’s Really Happening.

So How Can We Be More Honest In Leadership?

The research tells us that honesty is one of the most valued leadership characteristics. So, it stands to reason that we should be attempting to be more honest.

In general, I find that people appreciate an honest leader, even if it means they need to hear a harsh truth.

Here are some ways we can try to be more honest in leadership, to build trust with our people.

1. Think of the Positive Outcome You Want For the Other Person

Sometimes we are trapped in our own minds. We think about what we’re trying to gain, or the impact of the situation on us .

This can make difficult conversations easier because you feel better if you believe you’re actually trying to help the other person in some way.

For example, if somebody is lacking motivation, you may want them to feel more motivated and enjoy coming to work, as a result of a challenging conversation. It’s not all about you wanting them to be more motivated.

Instead, it’s about them being able to enjoy their work more, rather than struggling through each day.

This type of reframing may seem like a mental trick, but ultimately most thoughtful leaders like to help people. Reframing your intent in this way can make you feel more helpful.

This means you can be honest, and by being honest, you’re trying to be helpful.

2. Focus On the Long Game

Many of our workplaces are focused on short-term outcomes.

In reality, whether a client signs up on June 30th or July 2nd doesn’t make a whole lot of difference in terms of the outcome for the client. But in our reporting, the company will show greater revenue in the current financial year, which makes the senior management look good right now .

Individually, we tend to do this too. We focus on looking forward to the weekend and “worrying about it next week”.

Our brains are constantly battling between seeking short-term gratification and focusing on longer term goals , according to research from Princeton University. This can lead us to take the easy, short-term option, because it feels better at the time.

However, focusing on long-term potential pain can be beneficial.

Tackling a Problem Early Can Make For An Easier Conversation

Let’s say a team member is behaving badly, disrupting your team. At the moment, it’s just annoying other team members, but there’s no major crisis just yet.

If you avoid tackling the problem early, however, you’re likely to see bigger problems later on. Other team members losing motivation and respect for your leadership, for example.

To help you take action earlier, focus on the potential problems that may occur later down the track . When you tackle a problem early, it’s actually likely to be an easier conversation because you can stop it before it gets out of control.

When left to fester, it could result in a big problem, potentially needing HR support and formal performance management or other team members quitting. This is unpleasant for everyone, and a whole lot more effort for you and for HR.

Focusing on the potential longer-term problems that may happen can help you to demonstrate more honest leadership.

Learn More:   How Short Term Thinking Leads to Bad Leadership .

3. Choose Different Words

Many people have become accustomed to telling “white lies” or lies that are designed to spare someone else’s feelings.

Often, this can cause greater problems in the long run, if people find out you weren’t being honest with them.

Something I learned from neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris in a podcast recently was that you can change the words you use to be more honest, without needing to be brutally direct about it.

For example, let’s say you know some information but you don’t think it’s appropriate to share with your team.

Instead of saying “I don’t know”, you could say “I don’t think it’s appropriate to share that information with the team right now”.

The result is the same – you aren’t sharing the information. However, the difference is that you’re being honest in the second statement, but not in the first one.

It may sound like a trivial difference, but even this degree of honest leadership can help to build trust with a team, and help you maintain your integrity at the same time.

Do you notice any situations in your leadership where you could make a similar change to the words you use?

Learn More:   7 Things Leaders Should Stop Saying .

4. Take the Time For Self-Reflection

If you want to demonstrate more honest leadership, it’s important to be aware of your behaviour.

One of the ways we can do this is to take time to reflect on what has happened during our day or week.

You can start to take note of times when you may have:

• “Watered down” your language to make a message easier to receive
• Avoided a hard conversation; or
• Told a lie to avoid upsetting people.

Of course, it’s also good to reflect on the times when you were honest and open. When you’ve noticed the times when you were and weren’t as honest as you could be, you can start to look a little deeper.

What was it about the situation that made you lie, avoid or dilute your message? How could you deal with that next time?

Over time, you’ll come to notice when you’re potentially being less honest than you could be, which can help you change your approach.

Learn More:   Blind Spots: How to Shrink Yours to Lead Better .

Remember: Most People Want Honest Leadership

The research of Kouzes and Posner is clear. Honesty is one of the most highly valued leadership qualities.

That means people are looking for it in their leaders. 

So even though honesty might feel uncomfortable and daunting, it’s what many people are actually looking for!

This doesn’t mean you need to be barbaric and overly direct. You can be honest, and still be respectful. The people who say “I’m just being honest” as an excuse to be rude or insulting have not got it right.

But hopefully knowing that people want honest leadership will help you to feel more comfortable opening up and giving it to them.

Do you struggle being open and honest with your team? What could you do to potentially demonstrate more honest leadership? Let me and all the other thoughtful leaders know in the comments below!

About the Author: Ben Brearley BSc. BCM MBA DipProfCoaching

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Leadership Essay

27 August, 2020

12 minutes read

Author:  Richard Pircher

As a college student, you must write essays on a regular basis since the latter is one of the most common types of home assignments. All this means is that in order to get good grades and be successful with writing the papers, you need to have a sound understanding of the structure. Additionally, what you should never neglect is the variety of essay types. Indeed, your essay will significantly differ from one type to another: description essay will most likely have a structure that is slightly different from an argumentative one.

What you may have already encountered in your academic life is the work on a leadership essay. Although it sounds pretty complicated and vague, it is mostly possible to master an essay on leadership. Below is a guide for you to get an insight into this particular essay type.

What is a good leadership essay?

A good leadership essay is the one in which the essay writer has fully covered the topic of leadership and understood its core ideas. More specifically, to end up with a flawless leadership essay, you will need to indicate what makes a person a good leader. For achieving the latter, you will most likely need to conduct research and trace how a particular person reaches his or her goals. In other words, the task is to discover which actions the person undertakes, what their followers say about him or her, and how the person organizes the work. So, a leadership essay implies providing real-life success examples and further revealing them.

Above all, a good leadership essay is the one that follows a precise, clear, comprehensive structure. Structuring your essay about leadership in the most coherent way leads to a win-win situation: you have fewer troubles and barriers to writing a brilliant essay, and your teacher is able to comprehend the essay easily. This guide is what you will need to refer to to get an insight into how the flawless structure for a leadership essay looks like and how it will let you take a benefit.

How to write a Leadership essay?

To write a leadership essay that stands out, you first need to brainstorm all the ideas that you have and come up with a topic for your essay. If you are struggling with this step, you may think of some of the most influential people, read about them, and find out what makes them unique. Or, you can pick any topic which is mentioned at the end of this article. After you have chosen an issue, it is time to structure your essay appropriately.

As you already know, an essay constitutes three essential sections: introduction, main body, and conclusion. Below is the more detailed description of each of the parts.

Introduction

Of course, your leadership essay introduction will always vary depending on the topic of the essay. However, you can always begin by stating your vision of leadership regardless of the topic. Additionally, to motivate the reader and instantly catch his or her attention, you may use a quote of a famous leader, or simply a quote which you find relevant to the topic. Be aware that you should avoid outlining the essence and the role of the leadership in your introduction; leave it for the body paragraphs.

What you may also do in your leadership essay is ask a question, which will most likely intrigue the leader. Or it will at least give your reader an overview of what you will dwell on  in your essay.

Body Paragraphs

You will need to divide the main body into 3-5 paragraphs to make the structure more comprehensive. What you have to do at this point  is  give your reader a sound understanding of your ideas. Therefore, try to fit each idea in a single body paragraph so that you do not confuse your reader. Do not hesitate to indicate your examples to strengthen your arguments. For instance, you may explain a fact that makes a particular person you are writing about a real leader.

Also, always stick to your thesis statement and don’t forget that the body paragraphs should reveal the parts of your thesis statement.

As you may already know, you need to restate your opinion and briefly summarize all the points from the main body in conclusion. For instance, if you wrote your essay on qualities of an effective leader, state the most fundamental qualities and indicate why they matter the most. Besides, try not to copy what you have already written in the body – it is better to restate your opinion using different words. And, of course, beware adding any new and extra information; indicate only those points that you have already outlined in the text. Finally, keep in mind that it is always favorable to keep your concluding remarks short.

Leadership Essay Examples

Writing a leadership essay requires some research and time. In case you feel the necessity to go through an essay example, below is a leadership essay sample you can refer to.

Is leadership an inborn or an acquired feature?

Is everyone capable of becoming a leader, or is this ability innate? A lot of researchers have been struggling to answer this question. One assumption about leadership implies that the leader is the person who possesses particular characteristics. Another assumption claims that leaders are capable of acquiring specific features over their life span. As the evidence shows, leaders own many features that distinguish them among others and make more and more people become their followers. These might be cognitive abilities, psychological traits, professional qualities, and a lot more, and all of them will be either acquired or innate. Based on the importance of leadership qualities, such as commitment, stress resistance, and the ability to make quality decisions, it is reasonable to claim that leaders are made, not born. 

One can deem commitment as one of the top fundamental qualities of the leader. In essence, such a feature indicates that a person is passionate about the common goal, strives to be a team player, and makes every effort to reach a shared goal. As the history shows, none of the successful companies was uncoordinated by an influential, committed leader: Apple, Amazon, Microsoft – all of these companies are examples of dominant teams led by a dedicated leader. A committed leader also inspires his or her team to achieve common goals and put more effort into the shared activity. Besides, commitment is unlikely to be an innate feature; it instead comes with experience. This is so, since commitment implies dedicating oneself to the shared task, and one can reach it only via learning and continuous self-improvement.

Stress resistance is another incredibly important feature that every good leader should possess. This is because only a stress-resistant leader has sufficient capabilities to overcome any complexity and not let the anxiety and stress prevent him or her from making proper decisions. Besides, such a leader will most likely have a positive influence on the team, as long as leading by example will motivate the team members to attain the same emotional stability. What is so far familiar about stress resistance as an effective leader’s feature is that it can be either innate or attained. However, although some researchers admit that emotional stability is something one is born with, it is not entirely true; many people still put a great effort into self-improvement, changing the attitude to unfortunate situations, and so on. Therefore, being resistant to stress can be mostly attributed to a personality.

An ability to make high-quality decisions most likely determines the chances for an enterprise’s success. In particular, such quality is incredibly fundamental for a company of any size and professional orientation. Additionally, it is one of the top tasks of a good leader to make final decisions. What he or she should do implies brainstorming, discussing various opinions in the group, making forecasts, analyzing all the pros and cons. However, the leader is the one to make a final decision. Thereby, he is in charge of researching the market, discovering all the hidden truths, and analyzing the organization’s potential and capabilities to result in the most effective decision. As it flows logically from the latter, an ability to make sound quality decisions is purely a professional quality. This leads to the conclusion that one has to work hard to become a genuine leader and master the skill of making effective decisions. 

Overall, the leader may possess a multitude of different skills and master them perfectly. However, what has so far become transparent is that any leader, regardless of which team he leads, must possess three essential qualities. These qualities are commitment to the common goal, ability to handle and resist stress, and, finally, an ability to make effective decisions. All of the three qualities are most likely to be acquired over a lifetime. The statement below leads to the conclusion that even though some qualities can be innate, most are not the ones that leaders are born with. Hence, this answers an essential question: leadership feature is acquired, and not necessarily inborn.  

20 leadership essay topics

When coming up with your next leadership essay topic, it is imperative to brainstorm ideas and think of what leadership might be related to. If you are struggling with a topic of the importance of leadership essay or any relevant type of essay, you may quickly take a look at some of the possible topics we prepared for you:

• What are the main qualities of the leader?
• Successful Time Management as a feature of an effective leader
• The role that rhetoric plays in leadership
• The most exceptional leader in the history of the 20-th century
• The role of female leadership
• What are the challenges of the leader of the 21-st century?
• How college helps students develop leadership skills?
• Qualities of the leader that motivate people to follow them 
• Top things to avoid doing to become a team leader
• Examples of effective and ineffective leadership in the history
• Top techniques for developing leadership skills
• The interconnection of creativity and leadership 
• Is a university’s role fundamental in developing leadership skills?
• Dictatorship as an anti-example of leadership
• Liberal vs Authoritative leadership: which one works better?
• The influence of the leader’s role model on the followers’ mindset
• Main difficulties that the new leader may face in a new team
• Leadership of today vs leadership of the past: what has changed?
• Reasons why I want to become a member if the leadership program
• The role of cognitive abilities for the leader 

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Leadership Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on leadership.

First of all, Leadership refers to the quality of leading people. Probably, it is one of the most important aspects of life. Above all, Leadership has led to the progress of human civilization . Without good Leadership, no organization or group can succeed. Furthermore, not everyone has this quality. This is because effective Leadership requires certain important characteristics.

Qualities of a Good Leader

First of all, confidence is the most quality. A leader must have strong self-confidence. A person lacking in confidence can never be a good leader. A person must be confident enough to ensure others follow him. The leader must have confidence in his decisions and actions. If he is unsure, then how can people have the desire to follow him.

A good leader must certainly inspire others. A leader must be a role model for his followers. Furthermore, he must motivate them whenever possible. Also, in difficult situations, a leader must not lose hope. How can a leader inspire people if he himself is hopeless?

Honesty is another notable quality of a leader. Honesty and Integrity are important to earn the love of followers. Above all, honesty is essential to win the trust of the people. Probably, every Leadership which loses trust is bound to fail. People will not work with full effort due to an immoral leader.

Good communication is a must for a good leader. This is because poor communication means the wrong message to followers. Furthermore, good communication will increase the rate of work. Also, the chances of mistakes by followers will reduce.

Another important quality is decision making. Above all, if a leader makes poor decisions then other qualities will not matter. Furthermore, good decision making ensures the success of the entire group. If the leader makes poor decisions, then the efforts of followers won’t matter.

A good leader must be an excellent innovator. He must display a creative attitude in his work. Most noteworthy, innovation is a guarantee of survival of a group or innovation. Without creative thinking, progress is not possible.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Real-Life Examples of Good Leadership

Mahatma Gandhi was an excellent example of a good leader. He was a staunch believer in non-violence. With his brilliant Leadership skills, he made the British leave India. Probably, this was the most unique independence struggle. This is because Gandhi got freedom without any violence.

Abraham Lincoln was another notable leader. Most noteworthy, he ended the slavery system in the United States. Consequently, he made many enemies. However, he was a man of massive self-confidence. His struggle against slavery certainly became an inspiration.

Sir Winston Churchill was a great patriotic Englishman. Most noteworthy, he led Britain in the 2nd World War. Furthermore, he was extremely inspirational. He inspired Britain to fight against Nazi Germany. His great communication motivated the entire country at a time of hopelessness.

To conclude, Leadership is required in probably every sphere of life. Good leadership is the door to success. In contrast, bad leadership is a guarantee of failure. Consequently, good leaders are what make the world go round.

FAQs on Leadership

Q.1 Which is the most important quality for being a good leader? A.1 The most important quality for being a good leader is self-confidence.

Q.2 Why Sir Winston Churchill is a good leader? A.2 Sir Winston Churchill is a good leader because he inspired Britain to fight in 2nd World War. Furthermore, his excellent communication also raised the motivation of his people.

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A Full Guide On How To Create Good Leadership Essay

Attempting a leadership essay isn’t such a daunting task, provided you have a grasp of the necessary information needed for a leadership paper. To write this special essay, you’ll need to redefine what exactly an essay on leadership is, how to choose the perfect topic, what should be in the content, and how to organize and structure the paper. Let’s delve deeper!

What Is A Leadership Essay?

A leadership essay is a well-formatted, organized and specialized type of formal writing which elaborates on a generic leadership topic or a superior human figure exercising a great influence on people and transmitting desire and optimism to achieve goals.

What Makes A Good Leader Essay?

There are some peculiarities needed to infuse in your write-up if, for example, you’re trying to learn how to write a leadership essay about yourself.

Also, if you’re just trying to produce leadership essays for college, then you’d first and foremost, learn  how to structure an essay , among other skills needed for this type of essay. Here are some qualities which can be found in a good essay about leadership.

• Choose a creative topic
• Avoid the passive voice (the active voice sounds stronger)
• Search for and study leadership essay examples
• Follow the appropriate essay style
• Focus on the essay structure
• Review the essay

How To Choose A Topic And Make A Great Title?

To choose a topic for a paper on leadership, you need to do some research on the concept of a leader (whether in the corporate industry, political society or even in the criminal world). You have to know the current leadership tendencies in organizational groups or society. You can choose to make a leader the point of your reference by explaining the consequences of their leadership abilities or inabilities.

In the body of your essay, don’t forget to mention several types of leadership styles and point out which one the subject portrays. Finally, you should not rule out making comparisons of famous leaders in the modern world or in history. An example of a great prompt for a leadership essay that deploys the comparison technique would be the leadership styles of President Trump and The Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte as both leadership styles have been subjected to political reviews in recent times since their emergence as president of their respective countries.

Outline For A Leadership Essay

When writing a college or professional essay such as -long and short essays on leadership, planning is the key to perfection. The general outline for any essay, including leadership papers, include an introduction, the body paragraphs (which must be properly linked with transition words and/or phrases) and a recapitulating or finding-based conclusions. Here’s what your outline should look like:

Introduction

Knowing how to start a leadership essay depends on your introduction writing ability. The introduction is the gateway to the essay. Aided by punchy opening words, which are the hook, the purpose of the introduction is to draw the reader’s attention. The introduction presents the thesis statement and leaves the body paragraphs to sustain the reader’s interest.

Body Paragraphs

Having informed the readers of the topic of the essay in the introductory paragraph(s), the body paragraphs follow immediately.

Here, you can elaborate on the concept of leadership and do a meaningful interpretation of the subject – the topic or the thesis statement. Don’t forget to talk about your leadership philosophies and leadership experience in whatever capacity you might have found yourself in. Remember, people are more interested in personal experiences. They are great in helping to sustain readers’ attention.

Remember to state a thesis or hypothesis in the opening paragraphs – which is the intro. In each of the body paragraphs of the essay, try to relate your points to the thesis and use each point to prove its validity.

The conclusion is the end part of any well-structured essay. Its purpose is a no-brainer. You don’t want to leave your reader hanging by ending the essay cold turkey. Any standard essay without a conclusion is just as useless as an essay with no purpose. However, be careful not to present new ideas not mentioned in the body.

As mentioned, the conclusion serves to summarize the developed points, restate the thesis and/or present the findings. It is your last opportunity to create an impression on the reader, and this is where they take the message away. If your conclusion is weak, then we might say the essay’s objectives are not achieved.

What To Include In A Leadership Essay?

Here are some tips on what your leadership essay should include.

Your Definition Of A Good Leader And Why He Or She Is Important

Since your essay revolves around leadership and the traits of a good leader, you’ll need to define what it takes to be one. You may also take this opportunity to trash some common myths on what a leader is (i.e., a manager being confused for a leader).

For reference purposes, the concepts of leadership and being a good leader are explained:

Leadership is the quality of a leader and is that person capable of exercising a great influence on people and transmitting desire and optimism to achieve goals. A leader is a guide; someone with ideas and goals that can spread to a large group of people who still believe he or she can lead them in the right direction.

There are many types of leaders and therefore, of leadership since people generally always look for a person or group that shows them a direction to follow. You can find religious, political, social, or philosophical leadership. Leadership can be exercised in a traditional way. In many countries, there is a monarchy. The king or queen is a leader with limited political power, at least in western democracies, but still have the respect and consideration of the people. Their words continue to be heard and taken into account, especially in problematic times. There are other types of leadership that are not given by birth, such as legitimate leadership exercised by, for example, political leaders freely chosen by their people, or charismatic leaders.

In a way, charismatic leaders are what many understand as leaders since they are people who, by their way of behavior and characteristics, get many people to follow and adhere to their ideas. Some charismatic leaders can become legitimate leaders if they choose the path of politics. A traditional leader can also be charismatic. There have always been kings loved by his people more than others. But it can also be a person who prefers independent movements outside of power.

Charisma is the personal magnetism a person has. It is something very difficult to define but makes one capable of convincing others without too much effort, making people follow and trust the leading figure. Charisma can be used positively or negatively. The leaders of the most destructive sects are very charismatic people that are capable of convincing their followers of the eeriest ideas, including donating all their belongings or committing collective suicide.

Examples Of Your Leadership Style

In the content of your essay, you may consider giving an interpretation to your (or your chosen leader’s) leadership traits. Below are some examples of leadership qualities that separate a good leader from a bad leader.

What qualities are necessary for leadership

• Communication
• Emotional intelligence
• Strategic thinking
• Commitment and passion
• Knowledge and experience
• Leading by example
• Active listening
• Ability to enhance talent
• Setting goals and expectations
• People investment
• Discernment
• Concentration
• Positive attitude
• Problem-solving
• Self-discipline

Leadership Essay Example

To know how to do essay fast, you’ll need some ready-made essay examples for the sake of guidance and inspiration. You may find below a leadership essay written by Oliver Smith useful in your leadership paper.

Writing a leadership essay should be easy. A good essay on leadership starts from the hook, and the thesis statement in the introduction. The points developed in the body paragraphs help affirm the hypothesis. Finally, the conclusion offers the reader a summary through the restatement of the essay’s main idea.

As required for every essay type, your essay on leadership has to follow a definite style and format. Examples are MLA, APA, Chicago and AP styles. Take your time in choosing a creative but new topic and also in writing the content. By following this guide, everything should be as perfect as possible.

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Student Essay: The Power of Stories to Inspire Strong Leaders

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Maya S. is a Muslim, Egyptian and student athlete who has lived in Saudi Arabia for most of her life. She is 16 and a junior at the American International School of Riyadh, where she is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program.

In this Student Essay of the Week, Maya talks about how building a platform for others to share their stories has helped her understand why welcoming diversity of thought and experience will make her a stronger, more empathetic leader.

Three steps forward and two steps back. That was my reality during the privilege walk.

In October 2018, I was selected along with 50 other high school students to attend a leadership trip to a farm outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We believed that we were all going to learn about how to become leaders with strong voices. However, the trip took a completely unexpected and inspiring turn. Instead, we left knowing how to listen first and speak second.

At the farm, we participated in an activity called a privilege walk , where we were asked to step forward or backward in response to certain questions. From the responses, it became obvious that all of us were struggling with something that those around us knew nothing about.

I learned that the girl beside me once wondered where her next meal would come from. The girl beside her was afraid to leave the house at night because she had been assaulted. The boy to my left had been held at gunpoint. And the boy beside him had a mental disorder. This realization hit me hard. I was able to understand that although it’s impossible for us all to experience the same things, it is possible for us to try and listen to each other and understand each other’s differences. I began to appreciate the meaning of finding beauty in diversity. During that trip I learned that true leaders listen to the voices of others, and as a result they are able to enrich their own points of view.

“Living with anxiety is like feeling alive through the motions of life, but never freely living. It’s being aware of my surroundings, but lost in another world inside my head.”

During the summer of that year, someone I loved dearly was faced with medical issues, and my family began dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Even when it was all over, I felt lost and changed. I couldn’t explain it, but I wished that someone understood. I then began thinking of the people standing around me that day in Riyadh during the privilege walk, and everyone around the world like us. Did we all feel the same desire to be understood? How could we all feel seen and valued, regardless of our stories? I wanted to hear more about the stories of all those kids I met that day in line. I wanted to understand how we all ended up there, despite our different paths. I wanted to create something that would allow them to express their stories.

That summer, I started Voice of Change , a weblog that allows other teenagers to contribute writing that reflects the experiences that have shaped them. The first story I received was “Purpose,” from a girl struggling with depression. She wrote, “Purpose: a reason, a given, motivation , a point. We all live life because we have a purpose. We realize that there is a point, we have motivation and a reason to live. We look forward to things and create opportunities for ourselves. We see a future. Imagine living life feeling as though you have no purpose… That means no reason, no motivation, simply no point… the best way to describe this feeling is as if [you’re] dead. This feeling is depression.”

After I posted the article, which talked about how depression impacted the author’s life, I received comments, emails and texts from others saying that the article communicated what they needed to hear and couldn’t put into words. This initial response fueled the rest of my work. I began receiving other stories about challenging experiences, ranging from sexual assault and racial discrimination, to losing a loved one and struggling with body image. Here are a few powerful quotes from these articles:

“I’m not sure who or what I’m living for, but I’d never want to risk my family members feeling as I do right now. It’s okay that I’m suffering right now, because I have faith that it will pass, eventually it will.” – “Live On”

“I am not ignorant because I’m Arab. I’m not a terrorist because I’m Muslim. I am not a thug because I’m black. I am not who I am because of what you see on the news. I am who I am because of what I’ve been through, and what I have become.” – “Assume”

“Living with anxiety is like feeling alive through the motions of life, but never freely living. It’s being aware of my surroundings but lost in another world inside my head.” – “I Choose Life”

I see my Voice of Change journey as having so much to do with becoming a better leader. It has helped me to see clearly the type of leader I hope to become. I have developed a stronger perspective by understanding the voices and stories of others. I have become more empathetic to other people’s struggles, a quality I will need when I run my own business one day. You can’t understand your customers’ wants or your employees’ needs if you don’t listen and appreciate where they’re coming from. Also, Voice of Change has shown me how much our experiences shape us and contribute to how we see the world and solve problems. Each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective – all powerful and important in their own way.

Related Links

• The Privilege Walk
• What Is Empathy? (Sesame Street)
• Knowledge@Wharton: The Emotional Intelligence Deficit
• Wharton’s McNulty Leadership Program

Conversation Starters

What is empathy and why is it such an important leadership quality? How is empathy related to storytelling? Use the Related Links with this article if you need to better understand empathy.

How have your experiences shaped you? Share your story in the Comment section of this article.

Maya writes that she has come to appreciate “how much our experiences shape us and contribute to how we see the world and solve problems.” Diversity of thought is incredibly powerful in the business world. Why does it hold such value? How does it enrich the team dynamic and important outcomes?

6 comments on “ Student Essay: The Power of Stories to Inspire Strong Leaders ”

Hi Maya, Thank you for sharing your fantastic story with us. Being able to appreciate the people around you and, in first place, yourself is one of the major keys to success and, most importantly, happiness in life, at least according to my experience. We all come from different environments and experiences, the same ones which make us who we are, in our uniqueness and diversity, as you clearly and beautifully stated in your essay. Appreciation is one of those emotions, if that’s how we want to define it, I have learned to consider and embrace later in life, but it is surely the one all the rest comes down to: appreciation for life, appreciation for love from our beloved ones… Having dealt throughout life with friends who coped with depression and anxiety, I can say I have experienced the emotional upheaval that tends to follow this kind of acknowledgements. It gives you a completely different perspective on the world, on the people that surround you and on the way you look at your very own life. On the other hand, I’ve been lucky enough to feel the wonderful sense of relief and joy which comes after helping this people, which taught me the value of the word, indeed, appreciation. In the same way I’ve been able to help my dearest friends deal with these horrible feelings and find a way out of them, I find what you have done with this very same individuals awesome: not only giving them a voice through the blog, but giving their peers the chance to find sympathy and reassurance in their words. Keep it up! And take care.

Sonder – n. The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness (The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows).

I believe that sonder, a short and simple made-up word to describe a complex feeling, perfectly captures the spirit of Maya and her article. Maya realized the complexity of the lives of those around her, that every stranger on the leadership trip had their own unique story to tell, filled with their personal struggles. She reaches the conclusion that “each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective – all powerful and important in their own way.”

Sonder, and more broadly, empathy, is a crucial element of being a good leader. I had my own moment of sonder last summer when I had the opportunity to volunteer at my local Chinese senior center. I started volunteering there because I had to fill my school’s requirement for service hours but ended up gaining much more out of it than that. At first, I was wary of taking on the job because my Chinese conversational skills were acceptable at best and rudimentary at worst. However, I quickly found that the seniors were very welcoming and were just happy that someone was willing to sacrifice their time to help out. I performed tasks such as preparing and serving food as well as helped teach ESL and citizenship classes. I learned about the hard work ethic of the workers and volunteers around me while washing apples. I learned about the amiability and habits of the seniors in the lunchroom. There would always be those in the back table playing cards, the younger seniors chatting in the front, and the seasoned mahjong players upstairs. I even had the chance to hear some of their rich stories, stories of their journeys of emigrating from communist China, stories of their successful children, stories of their war experiences, and stories of their hope in America. I truly understood that these seniors, whom I would not have given a second glance on the street, lived such deep and meaningful lives, each of which would be a thrilling standalone novel.

Just like Maya learned to understand those from different backgrounds, I was able to empathize with these seniors and develop an appreciation for their experiences. We should all have empathy for each other in this world full of division and hatred. Sonder helps us have that empathy not only with those close to us but with everyone around us.

When I became the youngest Student Council President of my school, my idea of a strong leader was someone who could command and lead a group of people with total authority the way they like it. So, that’s what I tried to do during my early days as a leader. I thought I would be a strong leader by commanding the student council and demonstrating my full authority over the rest. But after the first month, like Maya, the experience of being a leader took a completely unexpected and inspiring turn. I learned, like Maya, that you have to listen first and speak second. It is by listening to others that makes you a stronger leader because it is easier to command and display your authority. But it is harder to swallow your pride and listen to others when their opinions or stories differ from yours.

Therefore, in the Student Council that I am in, I launched an initiative called “Listen Monday” with the purpose of listening to everyone’s opinions and views in the student council and utilizing them for the betterment of the school.

By understanding the voices of others it has helped me develop a better perspective. I have become more empathetic to others. Listening to others has allowed me to see the full picture that I have never seen. And because I see the bigger picture, I realized that other’s experiences can help shape how I see the world and solve problems. As Maya said, each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective, all-powerful and important in their own way.

I want to thank Maya for inspiring me.

When I became the youngest Student Council President of my school, my idea of a strong leader was someone who could command and lead a group of people with total authority the way they like it. So, that’s what I tried to do during my early days as a leader. I thought I would be a strong leader by commanding the student council and demonstrating my full authority over the rest. But after the first month, like Maya, the experience of being a leader took a completely unexpected and inspiring turn. I learned, like Maya, that you have to listen first and speak second. It is by listening to others that makes you a stronger leader because it is easier to command and display your authority. But it is harder to swallow your pride and listen to others when their opinions or stories differ from yours.

Therefore, in the Student Council that I am in, I launched an initiative called “Listen Monday” with the purpose of listening to everyone’s opinions and views in the student council and utilizing them for the betterment of the school.

By understanding the voices of others it has helped me develop a better perspective. I have become more empathetic to others. Listening to others has allowed me to see the full picture that I have never seen. And because I see the bigger picture, I realized that other’s experiences can help shape how I see the world and solve problems. As Maya said, each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective, all-powerful and important in their own way. I realized exhaustively now that a strong leader is someone that listens first and speak second.

I want to thank Maya for inspiring me to become a better leader.

Hello L Dau K!

Thank you for sharing your experience and lessons as a student council president. Listening to your implementation of listening Mondays has brought me back to a time when I was the storyteller, pouring my life out, not to a student council president, but to my mother.

Before the story begins, I must tell you about my mother. She is a very successful corporate leader of hundreds of people. Of course, when it comes to life, she’s never lost her footing when it comes to parenting. Her dogma for me was always the same as that for her employees. She required me to write a time schedule and reflect on life every day and report my academic progress to her with a PowerPoint presentation every week. Similar to your listening Mondays, but coerced. Of course, these rules also apply to her employees. I argued with her countless times, berating her for treating me, at the time, a 12-year-old, as her employee. Perhaps you have already begun to detest my mother’s parenting philosophy, or that she is just another derelict mother who neglects her children’s emotional needs to give her career 100%. But she was a mother for the first time, and I as her oldest child witnessed her growth and how she became a leader, both to her employees and to me.

Where should I begin my story with this leader? As I counted the episodes that flashed through my mind, neither the long conversation in the evening breeze nor the laughing conversation in the dark living room seemed like the most appropriate beginning of the story. Puzzled, I put down my thoughts and sat down to recall the beginning of our conversations. There’s no longer nameless fear and tension when she approaches me, dreading to hear what she has to say. Instead, I always walked up to her when I found her alone, and the dialogue always began with a sigh. I told her many stories about young love, friends, hobbies, and self-reflection, all parts of me that I was reluctant to reveal in PowerPoints. She is busy all day but never said no when I started a conversation. I could feel that she valued every part of our communication, regardless of how nonsensical it was, taking it wholeheartedly. She would sit down and listen to every word I had to say, and she would take to heart every hint of emotion I tried to convey. She did her best to understand my passions, cater to my needs, and embrace my sentiments. And that’s one of the most valuable lessons she’s taught me as a leader.

My mother’s growth as a leader came naturally to her as she listened to every ebullient story and every heart-wrenching sob. She did what many leaders, even in family relationships, fail to do: give the most attention to her children and subordinates, dwelling on their stories, bringing herself into their emotions, and living their experiences. Simply receiving a comment differentiates from understanding the root of their feedback. Through sharing stories with my mother, as my thoughts became words and leaped out of my mouth, my thoughts received a carrier. The stories I told were imparted with meaning through the process of communication. These words made me who I am and marked every footprint of mine. Not only giving her a chance to guide me but giving me a chance to recourse, bonding two unknown souls by building emotional bridges rather than giving ice-cold PowerPoint presentations. I myself am walking on those bridges, and I will be learning to build them up. Through open communication, we can build bridges high enough to see the world from a bigger view, see the tips of Mt. Everest, hear the mumbles of rhinoceros and vaquitas, and unveil a side of the world that we have never seen before.

In her essay “The Power of Stories to Inspire Strong Leaders”, Maya S. quotes “I was able to understand that although it’s impossible for us to all experience the same things, it is possible for us to try and listen to each other and understand each other’s differences. I began to appreciate the meaning of finding beauty in diversity. During that trip I learned that true leaders listen to the voices of others, and as a result they are able to enrich their own points of view.” This quote taught me that in order to be understood, one must learn to understand.

As an international student living in the states, my school days were certainly different from most of my classmates. There were a lot more plane rides, more hours of memorizing English vocabulary, and less people that paid attention to the struggles I went through. It was hard to focus on the upside of life when I knew that my comfort zone was about 6800 miles away. I felt like I was drowning in my own world, and was unsure of what I needed to do to get out of it.

As time passed, I did learn to embrace my new home. That started with a simple step: Learning about how people here lived. I added Kendrick Lamar and Olivia Rodrigo to my playlist, started to watch the NBA, and reached out for corrections when I didn’t recognize an English word. As I began to understand and appreciate what was around me, it was way easier to fit in. My struggles started to pay off as I received multiple honors and varsity MVP awards. Apart from Academics, I also became much more active in the social circle. I learned more about life here from my new friends, and also taught them some parts of life that I left behind back in Korea. After these changes, I could proudly say that I’m definitely leading my own life.

Maya’s story of the privilege walk reminded me of the change in my perspective before and after trying to understand American culture. At first I was hesitant in getting to know the new environment, but now I see the hidden value of entirely different customs, just like how Maya was able to understand the children with more depth. Furthermore, something Maya did that I greatly appreciate is that she didn’t just stop from enlightenment and took action to advocate for her beliefs. I believe that Maya’s propulsion of creating the “Voice of Change” weblog exemplifies what leaders do to promote their voice to the world. As a person aspiring to be a global leader and a businessman, I was greatly inspired by Maya’s quotes of insight and her action to spread her words.

Our world today is heavily interconnected, and the effects of collaborating across diverse backgrounds have never been more apparent. As I reflect on Maya’s quote and my own understanding, I am reminded that true leaders are distinguished by their ability to seek harmony in differences. My journey from a foreign student drowning in isolation to a confident participant in a global community underscores the transformative power of understanding others to be understood. Of course there are still customs that I cannot resonate with, like pineapple on pizza. But as I step forward into a world of connections and communications, I carry with me the invaluable lesson that true understanding is the cornerstone of meaningful process.

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Essay on Being A Good Leader

Students are often asked to write an essay on Being A Good Leader in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Being A Good Leader

What is a good leader.

A good leader is someone who guides a team to reach goals. They make sure everyone is working well together. They are like the captain of a ship, leading the way and helping everyone stay on track.

Qualities of a Good Leader

A good leader has many traits. They are honest, confident, and committed. They are good at making decisions and solving problems. They listen to their team and respect their ideas. They are also good at motivating and inspiring others.

Role of a Good Leader

A good leader’s job is to guide their team towards success. They set goals, plan how to reach them, and make sure everyone is doing their part. They also help solve problems that may come up.

Leadership Skills

Good leaders have strong skills. They are good at communicating, managing time, and making decisions. They can handle stress and stay calm in tough situations. They are also good at motivating others and helping them grow.

Importance of Good Leadership

Good leadership is important because it helps teams succeed. It makes sure everyone is working towards the same goal. It also creates a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. Good leadership is key to a team’s success.

250 Words Essay on Being A Good Leader

A good leader is someone who can guide others. This person shows the way by going first, setting examples, and making hard decisions. They are brave, wise, and kind. They help everyone work together and reach goals.

A good leader has many special qualities. First, they are honest. They tell the truth, even when it’s hard. This makes people trust them. Second, they are confident. They believe in themselves and their team. This helps everyone feel safe and sure. Third, they are good at listening. They hear what others say and understand their needs. This makes everyone feel valued and heard.

Importance of Being a Good Leader

Being a good leader is very important. Leaders guide us towards success. They help us solve problems and reach our goals. They teach us how to work together and respect each other. Without good leaders, we might feel lost or unsure.

How to Become a Good Leader

To become a good leader, you need to practice. You can start by being honest, confident, and a good listener. You can also learn from other leaders. Watch what they do and try to understand why they do it. Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. What’s most important is that you learn from them.

In conclusion, being a good leader is about more than just being in charge. It’s about caring for others, making hard decisions, and setting a good example. By working on these skills, anyone can become a good leader.

500 Words Essay on Being A Good Leader

What makes a good leader.

A good leader is someone who can guide others towards achieving a common goal. This person must possess certain qualities that make them stand out and inspire others. Here, we will talk about what it takes to be a good leader.

Trust and Respect

A good leader builds trust with their team. They show respect for each team member’s ideas and feelings. This makes the team feel safe and valued. When a leader respects others, they earn respect in return. This two-way respect helps in creating a positive working environment.

Good Communication

Leaders must be good communicators. They should be able to explain their ideas clearly. This helps team members understand what they need to do. Good leaders also listen to their team’s ideas and concerns. This shows that they value their team’s input.

Confidence and Decision-Making

A leader needs to be confident. They must believe in their abilities and decisions. This confidence inspires others to trust them. Good leaders also make decisions wisely. They consider all options and choose the best one. They are not afraid to make tough decisions when needed.

Ability to Inspire

Good leaders inspire their team. They motivate them to work hard and achieve their best. Leaders do this by setting a good example. They work hard, stay positive, and strive for excellence. This encourages the team to do the same.

Being Responsible

Leaders take responsibility for their actions. They accept when they make mistakes and learn from them. They don’t blame others for their failures. This shows their team that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.

Adaptability

A good leader is adaptable. They can change their plans when things don’t go as expected. They are open to new ideas and ways of doing things. This flexibility helps them solve problems and overcome challenges.

In conclusion, being a good leader involves many qualities. It’s about building trust, communicating well, making wise decisions, inspiring others, taking responsibility, and being adaptable. Anyone can develop these qualities and become a good leader. It takes practice and a willingness to learn and grow. Remember, a good leader is not just someone who leads, but someone who others want to follow.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Being A Doctor
• Essay on Being A Criminology Student
• Essay on Being A Better Student

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Odysseus — Analysis Of Odysseus As A Good Leader

Analysis of Odysseus as a Good Leader

• Categories: Odysseus The Odyssey

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Words: 912 |

Published: Dec 16, 2021

Words: 912 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

The essay explores the intrinsic leadership qualities of Odysseus, a pivotal character in "The Odyssey," asserting that his bravery, thoughtfulness, and cleverness substantiate his role as an exemplary leader. Odysseus's bravery is underscored through his numerous fearless encounters and persistent resolve during precarious situations, such as confronting Cyclops and navigating through Poseidon’s wrath. His thoughtfulness emanates from his unyielding concern for his men’s wellbeing and meticulous planning, illustrated when rescuing his crew from different adversities, like the spell at the Land of the Lotus Eaters. His cleverness shines through strategic maneuvers and cunning plans, notably when deceiving the Cyclops and orchestrating the Trojan Horse strategy, further solidifying his astuteness in leadership. The essay underscores that Odysseus’s adept combination of these qualities not only navigates him and his crew through treacherous journeys but also rightfully garners him respect and the esteemed title of a king in Ithaca.

Works Cited:

• Gopnik, A., & Schulz, L. (2007). Causal learning: Psychology, philosophy, and computation. Oxford University Press.
• Hume, D. (1975). An enquiry concerning human understanding. Oxford University Press.
• Locke, J. (2017). An essay concerning human understanding. Princeton University Press.
• Plato. (2016). Meno. Princeton University Press.
• Pinker, S. (1994). The language instinct: How the mind creates language. William Morrow & Company.
• Quinton, A. (1975). The innate and the acquired. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 76, 165-188.
• Saffran, J. R., Aslin, R. N., & Newport, E. L. (1996). Statistical learning by 8-month-old infants. Science, 274(5294), 1926-1928.
• Simon, H. A. (1976). From substantive to procedural rationality. In Method and appraisal in economics (pp. 129-148). Springer, Dordrecht.
• Spelke, E. S., & Kinzler, K. D. (2007). Core knowledge. Developmental science, 10(1), 89-96.
• Tomasello, M. (2009). The cultural origins of human cognition. Harvard University Press.

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What Makes a Great Leader?

• Linda A. Hill,
• Emily Tedards,
• Jason Wild,

Tomorrow’s leaders master three key roles — architect, bridger, and catalyst, or ABCs — to access the talent and tools they need to drive innovation and impact. As architects, they build the culture and capabilities for co-creation. As bridgers, they curate and enable networks of talent inside and outside their organizations to co-create. And as catalysts, they lead beyond their organizational boundaries to energize and activate co-creation across entire ecosystems. These ABCs require leaders to stop relying on formal authority as their source of power and shift to a style that enables diverse talent to collaborate, experiment, and learn together — a challenging yet essential personal transformation.

Mastering the ABCs of innovation at scale.

When Ajay Banga took over as CEO of Mastercard, in 2010, he knew that disruption of the payments industry was imminent. But rather than compete for market share within the 15% of global payments that were already electronic, he decided to focus the company’s growth on the 85% that were still made by cash and check transactions. For him, the financial inclusion of individuals and small businesses that lacked access to the formal financial system became both a business imperative and a societal responsibility. It called for new mindsets and behaviors around talent, clients, the market, technology, and government.

In our age of discontinuity, you need the ability to continually shift.

• Linda A. Hill is the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration and faculty chair of the Leadership Initiativeat Harvard Business School, the author of Becoming a Manager , and a coauthor of Being the Boss and Collective Genius .
• Emily Tedards is a doctoral student in the Organizational Behavior unit at Harvard Business School and a fellow at Harvard Kennedy’s Reimagining the Economy initiative.
• Jason Wild advises executives of the C-suite globally after leading strategic partnerships and global innovation at Microsoft, IBM, and Salesforce.
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The Protesters and the President

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Over the past week, students at dozens of universities held demonstrations, set up encampments and, at times, seized academic buildings. In response, administrators at many of those colleges decided to crack down and called in the local police to detain and arrest demonstrators.

As of Thursday, the police had arrested 2,000 people across more than 40 campuses, a situation so startling that President Biden could no longer ignore it.

Jonathan Wolfe, who has been covering the student protests for The Times, and Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent, discuss the history-making week.

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As crews cleared the remnants of an encampment at U.C.L.A., students and faculty members wondered how the university could have handled protests over the war in Gaza so badly .

Biden denounced violence on campus , breaking his silence after a rash of arrests.

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Can you trust 2024 election polls on Donald Trump and Joe Biden? Here's how to cut through the noise.

Love them or hate them, political polls aren’t going anywhere. As the 2024 presidential election kicks into high gear, the internet will be flooded with surveys tracking the horserace between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Keeping track of the numbers can be daunting: Who's ahead in national polls? Who's ahead in state-level surveys? Figuring out which numbers to pay attention to – and whether any of it actually matters – can be even more challenging.  

Luckily, the USA TODAY Network has got you covered. Here’s a refresher on why polls matter, whether you can trust them and what to look out for this year.  

What do polls tell us about the election?  

Think of polls as quick snapshots rather than crystal ball readings.  

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

They don’t necessarily predict the results of an election. Rather, they’re used to gauge how people feel about a race during a specific period. Pollsters may ask questions about the future, but surveys have more to say about the voters' current temperature.

Polls also tend to have a short shelf life. Public opinion can shift quickly, meaning that the results of polls are often only a reliable measure of the state of a race during the time they were taken. 

A survey taken two months ago won’t reflect the state of a race today, and a poll fielded tomorrow won’t tell us who is going to win the presidential election in November.

However, that doesn't mean polls captured at the beginning of a campaign cycle don't matter. The insights from early polls tease out the major issues voters are thinking about that could shape the race.  They also help trace the trendlines of how a candidate is performing – whether they’re gaining traction, stagnating or losing support. 

Pollster John Zogby likened the importance of looking at early polling to checking benchmarks while trying to reach an exercise goal.  

“Am I going to get on the scale the day before to see how I did?” said Zogby. “No, I get on the scale every so often to say what am I doing? How am I doing? What am I doing right?” 

Conducting polls early in a race and often throughout the course of an election allows political scientists, journalists and the public to track trends and spot major inflection points in campaigns.  

Beware of two-candidate polls  

Not all polls are built the same. The way a survey is designed, from how questions are worded to the demographics of the participants chosen, can influence the accuracy of its results.  

David Paleologos , director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, said political polls are most accurate when they replicate as closely as possible the questions and options voters will see on their ballot.

For instance, he said that polls on the 2024 presidential election should include choices beyond the two major party candidates – Trump and Biden – because most ballots will contain third-party and independent candidates who will garner some support.  

“If the polls only show a binary choice, between Trump or Biden, you're not getting the full picture,” Paleologos said.

He pointed to close margins in critical swing states, including Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia, during the 2020 election as an example. Trump lost in those states by fewer votes than Libertarian Party candidate Jo Jorgensen received.  

If Jorgensen had not been in the race, the results in those battlegrounds, and possibly the outcome of the election nationally, could have looked markedly different, Paleologos said.

The Libertarian Party hasn’t yet chosen its candidate for the 2024 election. But early polls that include the party and other independent candidates as options are likely to more accurately show how disaffected voters are looking at their options, he explained.

Suffolk University and USA TODAY have a partnership collecting polling data and insights.

Who's being polled?

Another factor that can impact a poll’s accuracy is the sample population surveyed. Polls randomly select a small sample of people designed to represent the broader views and attitudes of a larger population. But every organization uses different methodologies to create their samples.  

For instance, some election polls take the temperature of the general population, while others only include active voters or likely voters. They also may weigh demographic information, such as the ratio of Democrats to Republicans, differently.  

In the 2024 race, Zogby, author of the forthcoming book "Beyond the Horse Race: How to Read Polls and Why We Should," suggested that the most accurate polls include only likely voters, the pool of people already planning to cast a ballot in November.

“A likely voter today may not be a likely voter on October 31,” Zogby said, but capturing these voters allows political scientists to better understand the Americans who will choose the next president.

Should I pay attention to national polls or state surveys?

Pollsters were lambasted in 2016 for projecting that then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would win the election over Trump.

But national polls , which are supposed to reflect the popular vote across all states, were technically right. Overall, Clinton won nearly 2.9 million more votes than Trump.  

So, what went wrong? Many analysts overstated Clinton’s lead in national polls, and few organizations conducted state-specific polls in former Democratic strongholds, such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, that Trump was able to capture. His wins in those states ultimately landed him the electoral college victory.  

That’s not to say that national polls are inferior to state polls, but you should think of them differently.

“National polls are more valuable to understand what the issues are impacting likely voters,” Paleologos said, while state polls better represent the horserace.

He and other polling experts told USA TODAY that Biden needs to lead Trump by three to four percentage points in a national poll to be tied with the Republican in the electoral college . That's because large liberal-leaning states like California and New York tend to tilt the results of national polls in Democrats’ favor, whereas the "electoral college these days skews Republican," Zogby said.

In other words, a national poll showing Biden and Trump tied would tell a similar story to a swing state poll that shows Trump leading Biden by a few points.  But generally, experts warn against comparing national and state surveys, which are built off of different methodologies, against one another.

Can you trust the polls?  

Mostly. Because polls are analyzing a myriad of shifting factors, they'll always have some level of uncertainty baked in, regardless of the specific election. Organizations also don’t collaborate on what states they plan to poll, or when, which means there’s always potential for blind spots, like in 2016. 

Some political observers rely on poll averages, such as a tally from Real Clear Politics. These are generally reliable, but they can miss trends.

But when interpreted properly, polls often provide an accurate portrait of the state of an election. 

“There are folks that will say, ‘Oh, you missed the election by two points,’” Zogby said. "Well, two points – that showed the ballpark of what was going to happen.” 

And the more polls there are, the easier it is to evaluate the race.  

Annual skilled trades competition builds technical and professional skills for Iowa students

• Wednesday, May 1, 2024
• Headline Story

Southeast Polk senior Simon Frohock (R) competed in the cabinet making contest for a second year.

High-quality career and professional skill development took center stage last week as over 600 high school and college students took part in the annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference . Held in Ankeny at the Des Moines Area Community College campus, this two-day competition featured over 50 different leadership and technical competitions for students to test their technical skills and knowledge, explore career pathways and make valuable connections with local industry leaders.

Southeast Polk High School seniors Delvis Kouete and Simon Frohock, both 17, were well-prepared for the competition, which featured timed activities related to industrial technology, carpentry, robotics, automotive repair and job interview techniques, among many others. For this year’s skills competition, Delvis competed in architectural drafting and was a member of the school’s quiz bowl team. Simon, the 2023 state champion in cabinet making, returned for a second year in the cabinet making contest. Both students competed well in their individual competitions, with Delvis placing fifth and Simon serving as this year’s runner-up.

“The skills competition can help you strive for excellence in your work and learning,” Simon said. “Even though it’s a competition and there is pressure to do well, it’s a good, low-risk way to see what an employee in this work has to do every day.”

Both Simon and Delvis noted that the competition not only helps to strengthen a student’s technical skills, but it also engages students in career pathway discovery and professional skill development.

“Being a part of SkillsUSA and competing in the skills competition has helped me learn new skills with my hands and work on teamwork, communication and leadership skills,” Delvis said. “You learn how to work with other people that aren’t like you and get your mind thinking about your future career.”

Along with the individual contests, all competitors at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference were required to submit a resume and take a professional development test that focused on workplace, professional and technical skills as well as overall knowledge of SkillsUSA.

“SkillsUSA helps provide real-world context to the content being taught by classroom educators,” said Kent Storm, state director for SkillsUSA Iowa. “Taking the learning beyond the classroom allows students to grow and learn next to industry partners and gain valuable experience."

As one of Iowa’s career and technical student organizations (CTSO) , SkillsUSA champions the skilled trades industry and provides opportunities for students to apply the skills they have developed in classrooms through conferences, competitions, community service events, worksite visits and other activities.

“Participation in a CTSO like SkillsUSA helps students gain hands-on experience and connect classroom curricula to careers,” said Cale Hutchings, education consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. “Through CTSOs, students can become leaders and strengthen their employability skills, which is valuable as they explore potential next steps in their college and career pathways.”

SkillsUSA boasts a roster of over 400,000 members nationwide. In Iowa, over 1,300 students and advisers in career and technical education programs participate in local SkillsUSA chapters.

At Southeast Polk, 21 student members are a part of their SkillsUSA chapter. Led by industrial technology teachers and chapter advisers Ryan Andersen and Brett Rickabaugh, the students have been involved with several community service projects, employer presentations and opportunities to work closely with instructors.

“Any time a student participates in SkillsUSA, it gives us more time with that student to elaborate on what we’ve learned in class,” Andersen said. “They can connect the idea to the planning, design and completion of a project and how that activity fits into a real career. That’s something we can’t replicate without a CTSO.”

Anderson also stated that students who participate in SkillsUSA and activities like the State Leadership and Skills Conference build confidence through their experiences.

“It really helps students to have the confidence to rely on their skills and what they know,” he said. “The skills competition requires them to use problem-solving skills and build off their knowledge to continue to learn and persevere.”

This year’s first-place winners at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference will move onward to compete with 6,000 other students at the national conference in Atlanta this June.

For Simon and Delvis, the skills competition was another step in building necessary skills and acumen for their futures. Simon, with his penchant for cabinet making, already has a full-time job lined up after graduation with a local cabinet shop. Additionally, Delvis would like to pursue something within the computer science field, perhaps in the coding or software engineering areas, and although he is changing fields, he believes SkillsUSA has helped him feel more prepared for the future.

“It has definitely helped me with skill-building and problem-solving,” he said. “What I’ve learned will be beneficial no matter what I decide to do next.”  

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South American football's governing body, CONMEBOL, postponed on Saturday the Libertadores and Sudamericana matches scheduled for next week in Porto Alegre, Brazil, due to heavy rains.

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It's been more than a month since the Los Angeles Angels won their only series of the season. And much longer since doing so at Cleveland.

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Rohit Sharma's chat with Rinku Singh after presser praised by Moody: 'Great leadership'

Tom moody praised rohit sharma for showing great leadership and being honest and upfront with rinku singh after the kkr batter missed out on a spot in the t20 world cup squad..

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• Rohit Sharma was seen talking to Rinku Singh at Wankhede on May 2
• Tom Moody said India captain Rohit Sharma has good soft skills
• Rinku Singh will travel for T20 World Cup as an India reserve player

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody praised Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his honest chat with Rinku Singh after the T20 World Cup press conference in Mumbai on May 2, Thursday. Rohit was seen talking to Rinku at the Wankhede stadium ahead of the KKR vs MI clash on May 3. Rinku's exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad has raised quite a few eyebrows, with many slamming the call.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar would explain the reason behind the call and insisted it had nothing to do with the batter and was just down to combinations. Rohit's interaction with Rinku was praised by Moody, who called it great leadership from the Indian skipper. Moody said that Rohit has good soft skills and is highly regarded amongst the players.

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"That's great leadership right there. Making sure you're upfront and honest. It's easier to speak to someone when they're included in the squad, it's always hard to speak to someone who has been left out." "That's why Rohit Sharma is so highly-regarded around the playing group. He is a very good leader. He's got those soft skills, which is so important around communication," said Moody.

Balance of the side: Moody on Rinku snub

Moody also said that it wasn't Rinku's fault that he was left out of the T20 World Cup squad as India just wanted to get in an extra all-rounder in the form of Axar Patel to give them more flexibility at the No.7 spot and play 3 spinners.

"For Rinku Singh, it doesn't matter how many runs he gets in the rest of the IPL, it has to do with the balance of the side and Ajit Agarkar was actually clear in the way he explained it."

"Rinku Singh has been left out because they want the extra all-rounder in Axar Patel to give them the flexibility around that No.7 spot and also the option of playing 3 spinners. It has nothing else to do with Rinku," said Moody.