Become a Born Leader

The world held its breath this week as a future leader was born in London.  His name is Prince George of Cambridge, the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and he is the United Kingdom’s future king.

Prince George’s inescapable future life as a leader is already mapped out for him.  As the third in line to the throne he will succeed his grandfather and father in what is estimated to be 50 years’ time.  And when he does eventually become monarch he will need to show great leadership, courage and a virtuous character to earn the respect, esteem and affection of the important people in his world. 

For Prince George, there is no opportunity to decide what type of person he will grow up to become, but for the rest of us, the opportunity is all ours.  And while Prince George will rise to a position of leadership simply through the hereditary privileges of being born into the royal family, it is not so easy for us ‘commoners’ to do the same in any other organisation or society.  The competition for leadership is fierce, and only the people who have developed the very best leadership skills and are at the top of their game will acquire leadership positions with the ability to hold on to them.

To be a great leader, you must have a clear vision.  Many inexperienced leaders fail to convey a clear vision to the people they lead, which can result in confusion and many different directions being taken.  It is much easier to lead if you have a clear idea of what you want to do, where you want to go, and how you want to get there.  People prefer to follow someone who has a definitive plan and can take them along on the journey to success.

Some people say that leadership is situational, and that what is necessary for success in a leadership position is determined by factors such as the people being led, the objectives being accomplished, the environment they are in and the social, political or cultural differences being faced.  A true leader can adapt to the current situation they are in and use the different qualities of leadership necessary to make it a success.

Integrity and honesty are the other important leadership qualities displayed by those who rise to the top and stay there.  Trust is an inherent part of leadership, so tell the truth to yourself and others in every situation.  Team members have to trust that leaders are serving everyone’s best interests, and it is therefore imperative that leaders lead with integrity, honesty and values.

You don’t have to become a born leader by accident of birth.  You can acquire and develop the necessary leadership skills by watching, learning and emulating the actions and behaviours of other leaders.  Choose role models, seek out mentors, ask for feedback and learn from it to improve and fine tune your skills.  There is no magic formula, but if you seek the advice of those who have made it, and then put that advice and guidance to good use, you will inevitably become a very great leader.

For a free consultation to discuss how I can help you achieve your goals and become a born leader, contact me now.
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