After searching for new material to write an article, I studied the editorial in a Financial Magazine with comments made by the writer who is a Clinical Psychologist and Employment Consultant, Mr. James Laubscher on the question of what it takes to be a good leader.

This article is a follow up to my previous article, Leadership and Mentoring for the 21st Century and I would like to share some of the views and content with you.

He used a simple stick figure when explaining what it takes to be a good leader. Imagine a stick profile of a person and as you draw the figure from head to toe, I'm highlighting the qualities needed in a Leader.

Brain:

The good leader needs to come up with a plan of action and coarse direction of who needs to do what. The leader shouldn't do the work himself; he organizes his followers to do it.

Eyes:

These represent someone’s ability to have vision and look ahead into to see something better or bigger in the future. Along with vision, they need to be able to communicate a situation that is better than the current one.

Ears:

 A good leader needs to be able to hear and listen to what his or her followers say.

Mouth:

This is the ability to communicate both what needs to be done and what must be done.

Heart:

The heart stands for emotional intelligence. This is most important for a good leader. This is the ability to feel empathy and concern for people, especially his or her followers. It's acknowledging other people’s needs while still keeping the organizations vision in mind. The heart also represents the leader's emotional commitment to his or her cause. He or She needs to be prepared to bleed for the cause.

Body:

 The body is all about having the energy to carry out the work required and to be able to motivate followers to do their best for the leader in carrying out the tasks assigned to them.

Hands:

 In the "old days" this represented the 'hands on" approach of many managers and leaders. However, nowadays leaders are not so hands-on. The hands are the ability to 'manage' a situation and organize followers to do what is required of them.

Feet:

They stand for the importance of being grounded and in contact with reality. A leader needs to make things happen to be able to turn his or her vision into results.

Last but not least, a leader must Inspire and Motivate his followers to the point of action and personal satisfaction. The feeling of achievement for something worthwhile.

I trust these points of interest will help you better understand "What Makes a Good Leader".

May Prosperity and Profitability cross your way.

Sincerely,

Francois de Klerk

DAILY GUIDELINE: Follow this. It will make a difference!

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circ***tance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret