True Leadership Qualities Stand Out
According to the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, 80 percent of Americans believe that the United States faces a leadership crisis. Many people in leadership positions think that the right response is to become a “transactional leader.” They say, “I have money, you have labor, so let’s make an exchange.” Instead, according to The Harvard Business Review, our focus should be on becoming a “transformational leader.”
Transformational leadership qualities challenge people to grow professionally. In addition, transformational leaders challenge their colleagues to grow personally, emotionally and intellectually. Transformational leaders see four basic needs in people, and they work to meet those needs. In so doing, they help people to become more passionate, engaged and effective.
1) The need for tough-minded caring
Truly caring about your team and having them care about you may sound touchy-feely, but caring is essential to good leadership. Tough-minded caring builds a powerful, fully expressed workforce. When you truly care about people, you don’t let them remain ineffective or stagnant. You challenge them to become more than they are so that they can be truly successful. You call them to take tough actions and let them know that you are confident that they can succeed. When your team knows that you have their best interests in mind but aren’t afraid to call them on their mistakes, then you will win their respect and their admiration.
2) The need to grow
Effective leaders empower people to decide to become more than they are. Motionlessness and maintenance only exist in the human imagination. The alternative to not growing is to wither and decay. Therefore, the best leaders create an environment where their teams are constantly challenged to grow. Good leaders put the responsibility for change squarely on the team members’ shoulders. As a result, team members make the decision to extend themselves. When the choice comes from within, genuine growth takes place.
3) The need to contribute
People at their best forget about themselves and think instead of how they can contribute for the sake of the team. Instead of recruiting new team members to get the company’s shiny prize Camaro, they motivate themselves by thinking of how they can bring others along in the wake of their success. The best leaders always motivate people to act with the team in mind. When everyone contributes, everyone succeeds.
4) The need for meaning
People need to feel as though their personal and professional actions have a purpose. To feel as though they are a part of something greater gives people a sense of meaning and usefulness. Great leaders help people to see how their contributions matter. When people feel that their actions are significant, they are more likely to strive for excellence.
A successful MLM business owner enriches not only himself or herself but also the lives of everyone on the team. These actions will have recognizable significance. Good leadership qualities will build a successful business. More importantly, they will build a meaningful life.
