Are You A True Leader?

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Angela Civitella, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.

Are leaders born or made? It’s a question for the ages and seldom answered. Of course, conjectures and suppositions on this subject have become part of our vernacular, as if talking about it often enough actually makes it so — at least for those who think they are. But not for those who wish to be.
I prefer to focus on those who wish to be leaders, rather than those conceited and convinced they already are. After all, in a wish lies the hopes, dreams and desire to always better oneself. Someone’s idea of who they are is forever transforming, and when we never fully reach our highest and best self, improvement is forever calling our name for attendance.
So, how do you know if you’re a true leader? Here are four questions to ask yourself:

When faced with a problem, do you react or respond to it?
There’s a subtle difference between these two words — react and respond — yet a world of difference when applied.
Reacting is usually on impulse, out of defense and feeling disadvantaged. Responding usually emanates from logic. It seems passive but is more active in terms of listening and understanding rather than bringing emotions to the forefront.
True leaders in the business world are considered first responders to a problem. They are the picture of reason and calm, knowing that any other reaction, when faced with strife or dissension, would cloud their judgment.

Do you surround yourself with other leaders within your team?
Someone once said, “The best leader is the one who has the sense to surround himself with outstanding people and self-restraint, not to meddle with how they do their jobs.”
True leaders hire outside of their comfort zone. They abandon their need for control by making sure it does not disturb the process and protocol of allowing talented people to shine alongside them.

Does an agenda begin and end with you or the best person qualified to deliver the message?
In a successful environment where leaders are bred, everyone should be held accountable in an area that calls for their expertise. And if they haven’t attained it, then dedicated focus should be put on them to achieve this. A team is made up of individuals or parts, and it is in the sum of those parts where a team wins. After all, that is the goal.
True leadership is someone who has high standards and truly stands for something — someone who can inspire and motivate, and who can teach and set goals and instill the confidence and spirit to achieve them. Is that you?
True leadership is being in service first, to want to better someone else’s life and function in the world, while understanding that if those you are grooming to grow into the light of their true greatness achieve it, then you will be touched by success in turn.
True leaders create a strong environment of success where they live and work. They surround themselves with people who challenge them. They encourage and push when it matters most. An encouraging environment is fostered, along with frank advice to get to the next level. Surrounding yourself with extraordinary people will open your eyes to new and bigger ideas, pushing you to never stop growing, learning and achieving. Inspire and be inspired. That’s is the hallmark of leadership.

If someone excels, do you acknowledge or recognize their efforts?
Recognizing something usually means to admit to oneself. It’s a more passive, low-key way to congratulate the efforts of someone else’s work. Acknowledgment, on the other hand, usually means to make public the efforts of someone else’s work.
A true leader is comfortable and at ease, and realizes that acknowledging someone else’s efforts takes nothing away from their abilities. Quite the contrary, compliments are bountiful for having been able to source such great talent.
The true measure of a leader exists in the vision, direction and strength to be able to put out into the world their mark, their legacy and ultimately to make a difference. Those in doubt need to assess early if they are the initiators of a dream or the facilitators of them. The beauty of this lies in the fact that not the first nor the latter is the stronger for it. The secret lies in understanding that every player is of value on a team. Leadership free of power and dominance but geared toward servitude makes both ends of the spectrum powerful and purposeful in their mission.