There has been a lot of research into leadership. It is the census among the social scientist that success in leadership depends on the circumstances. For example, a man who has been an outstanding leader in an industrial company can be a flop when he goes to Washington as Secretary of Commerce.
There appears to be no correlation between leadership and academic achievements.
Great leaders almost always exude self-confidence. They are never petty. They are never buck-passers. They pick themselves up after defeat.
Great leaders are always fanatically committed to their jobs. They do not suffer from the crippling need to be universally loved. They have the guts to make unpopular decisioins - including the gut to fire non-performers.
Good leaders are decisive. They grasp nettles.
I do not believe that fear is a tool used by good leaders. People do their best work in a happy atmosphere. Ferment and innovation depend on joie de vivre.
The great leaders I have known have been curiously complicated men.
The most effective leader is the one who satisfies the psychological need of his followers.
Most of the leaders have the ability to inspire people with their speeches. If you cannot write inspiring speeches yourself, use ghost-writers - but use good ones.
The man who said the wisest things about leadership was Field Marshal Montgomery:
"The leader must have infectious optimism, and the determination to persevere in the face of difficulties. He must also radiate confidence, even when he himself is not too certain of the outcome.
"The final test of a leader is the feeling you have when you leave his presence after a conference. Have you a feeling of uplift and confidence?"
Iva
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