Leadership is Influence and Motivation

Leadership is the ability to influence and motivate.  The setting is irrelevant; leaders can be found in all areas of life, not just business.  There is a big difference between a leader and a manager.  A leader instills ardor and focus in the group.

Today’s leaders embrace empowerment which gives everyone more freedom to become self directed and self motivated.  Managers aim to produce order and stability while leaders embrace and guide change.  A leader creates the vision and passes it to others, establishing shared values, ethics, and changes. Powerful leaders inspire and create an environment that continually nurtures that inspiration.

There are certain qualities that leaders must possess: effective communication of a vision, the ability to propel that vision into action, the ability to establish values, promote ethics, and embrace change.  Leaders rarely all fall into one category.  In some environments, leaders give instructions and direct.  This type of leadership may be seen where employees are not considered skilled enough to make decisions on their own.  Yet other leaders guide by empowering others, allowing their followers to make most decisions on their own.  In this situation the leader acts as a coach and team member.  Everyone is enabled with the tools and education needed to make the right decisions.

A leader sets an example with sensitivity and compassion, giving responsibility, and gaining the trust of the team.  Leaders show concern for others and the overall well being of individuals and the collective.  In an organization, a leader transforms the way that business is done, propelling the organization into the future.