Qualities of Great Leadership defined by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Following are the most essential characteristics of a great leadership that were defined by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam:

1. Must have a clear vision

Vision is the first and most important characteristic of a great  leader. Vision gives you the clarity, clarity creates awareness, awareness leads to thoughts and thoughts result in action. All the great leaders are driven by a clear and well defined purpose or a vision and they drive themselves and everyone around them towards fulfilment of that vision.

    2. Must know how to handle success and failure

" Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough."

" Don't take rest after your  first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck."

- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 

Watch Dr. Kalam explaining about how great leaders manage success and failure :

    3. Must be transparent

   " A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity"

                                                                                                            -Dalailama

*5 powerful things that happen when the leader is transparent :

1. Problems Are Solved Faster

2. Teams Are Built Easier

3. Relationships Grow Authentically

4. People Begin to Promote Trust in Their Leader

5. Higher-Levels of Performance Emerge

  4. Must have the courage to take decision

 A great leader must have the ability to assess the situation and take appropriate decision and must be ready to face the consequences of that decision. The courage to take decision can be developed by inculcating the habits of  confidence and self belief. Confidence comes from mastery and mastery is the result of continuous practice and self improvement.

    5. Must be willing to travel an unexplored path 

  " Do not go where the path may lead, instead, go where there is no path an leave a trail"                                                                                                                                                                                                  - Les Brown

The poem Road not taken by Robert Frost perfectly explains why it is important to travel an unexplored path:

   6. Must serve with integrity
   " Look for three things in a person - intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don't have the last one, don't even bother with t he first two."
                                                                                                                -Warren Buffet

          

     Integrity is the product of high moral standards, humility and honesty. To be honest with people one must be honest with oneself. Great leaders always try to bring out the best in others by constantly encouraging them and help them to improve their weaknesses, they enjoy the success of others and give credit to the people who deserve it. In short 'Great leaders create great leaders'.

   7. Must be ready to GIVE

     " Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work."

                                                                                                                    -Seth Godin

     Watch Dr. Kalam explaining about the habit of giving:

      If you guys know any other essential characteristics of great leadership kindly post it in the comment below.
  
  * Source : www.forbes.com - Click the below link to read the complete article :
     http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/09/10/5-powerful-things-happen-when-a-leader-is-transparent/#2d20a6354895

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