THE PORTRAIT OF A LEADER—DR. DAVID OLADIPO
We use the word “leader” often, sometimes daily. We may have become so familiar with it that we may have missed its true meaning or have lost the ability to know who or what a leader is.
WHAT DOES A LEADER LOOK LIKE?
How do you recognize one when you see him/her? There are things that set a leader apart from others. This will help you to develop yourself as well as help you to identify people who have more obvious leadership potential. Let’s look at some things that will help you to recognize a leader.
- SERVICE
A leader is a servant. He is called to serve people. Anyone unwilling to serve will not make a good leader because humility and the willingness to serve is the hallmarks of genuine leaders. Leadership is service, but it takes selflessness to serve. Self-centeredness is the albatross of many people. You will stand out if you make a quality decision today to think less of yourself. A leader is raised for the people; the people are not raised for him. - VISION
A leader has a compelling vision. He is not living for today but for tomorrow. Every distinction begins with vision. You can tell who will make a good leader tomorrow by looking at what drives him or her. While people focus on what they drive, leaders are different in what drives them. - COMPASSION
A leader is compassionate. You have no business leading if you don’t love people genuinely. Leaders don’t use men; they raise them. How you treat people who cannot help you shows if you will make a great leader or not. - DILIGENCE
Leadership and indolence don’t mix together. Regardless of other leadership potential a person may possess, if he/she is not diligent, nothing will come out of his/her endeavors. - FOCUS
Leaders have what they focus on. It sets them apart from the others. When I see what people focus on, I can tell who will stand out tomorrow. Leaders focus on making impact, getting results, etc., while many others focus on entertainment, relaxation, self-love, etc. - WISDOM
It takes wisdom to lead. A foolish person has no leadership future because leaders walk in wisdom. It takes wisdom to deal with people, to solve problems, to make impact, etc. - INITIATIVE
This is very important because a leader doesn’t always wait to be told what to do before realizing it. He initiates things on his own. All the instruments of leadership are in the head: eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. If you are not initiating things or using your initiative to do things, it means you are not using your instruments of leadership. - THIRST
Leaders are different from others in the things they desire or go for. What a leader is thirsty for is different from what other people are thirsty for. To gauge your leadership capacity, check your thirst. What are you thirsty for? This list is by no means exhaustive, dear friend, but I want you to take a good look at yourself and see whether the portrait of a leader highlighted above describes you or not. Leadership is not such a difficult task. All you need is commitment to becoming a difference maker and then exposing yourself to relevant information through training, networking, etc.; you will prosper in your leadership journey.
I am available to help you take this journey to the next level. Join my Leadership Conclave (The REAL Leader Conclave) today. For training, consultation, mentoring networking, etc., to join my Leadership Conclave, contact me via theleadingtable@gmail.com.
DR. DAVID OLADIPO is the Chief Responsibility Officer, DOMI Leadership Consult Limited, the President, David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable, and CEO, The REAL Leader Conclave.