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If you ask the average worker what he would like for a job, he will invariably tell you that he wants to be the boss. If you asked him why, he will say because he wants to lead.

When you are sitting in the back seat, driving always look like its fun. But when you get into the driver’s seat and realize the responsibilities you have and the concentration and other skills you need in order to make sure everyone arrives safely, you begin to understand that it is not a role to be casually sought. To lead you need skills. Do you have them?

Leaders Can Take Being Disparaged  

Leaders are those people who can walk through a storm like they are strolling through the park on a sunny day. Once you decide you will become a leader and start to lead, you should expect that you will meet all types of resistance, from internal and external forces. Some you will see coming a mile away and others, you will have no clue about until you go on the Internet or open the morning paper.

A strategy of trying to avoid controversy and attacks is useless. You can certainly do things like hire reputation management companies to try and protect and repair your reputation but with the speed of information today, most of their work will be reactive and effective only after the damage has been done. So you need to be able to deal with these issues as they happen in a productive way. This means developing a thick skin and calm demeanor. This will show those working with you that things are under control and you are on top of whatever the problem is. This does not mean that you ignore the problem. You acknowledge that it is there, but you handle it calmly and lay out steps to those in your organization about how it is being dealt with.

Leaders Are Passionate about Giving

Leaders understand that what they have built has been accomplished because of the generous giving of many others who may never share the spotlight or even be recognized at all. This is just how life works, but although these helpful individuals may never receive their rightful due, leaders understand that part of their job is to “pay things forward.” This means charitable giving and ideally of the type that successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists like Lloyd Claycomb II have adopted.

Giving is a core human quality that brings us satisfaction and gratification and it makes our successes even more fulfilling. Yes, if you are financially successful, you will acquire many material possessions, but it will be the giving that means the most to you.  Additionally, those around you will respect you more and want to be in business with you because of your commitment to giving. It is a core leadership success quality.

Leaders Have Honesty and Integrity

When you think of the great leaders, you think of people who have the highest levels of integrity. They are honest to a fault about what needs to be said and they deliver the information in a forthright way. This commitment to honesty and integrity has proven over time to be an indispensable leadership quality. When people around you know that you are always being truthful, it gives them the confidence and surety that things are as you say. This confidence allows your team to them be honest with you about how they feel and the leadership choices you are making. You will need this honest input because leadership requires it also.

Being the boss requires a finely hones set of special skills. It is certainly not for everyone in spite of what most think. If you have an interest to lead, read through these notes again and be honest about whether you can meet the demands.