What is most important characteristic of a leader?

leadership is to co-operate...not to impose - Leadership is to tell others how it is to be done. It is commitment, not luxury, It is understanding, not scorning, It is making things better, not popular, It is responsibility to do, not to make others do, It is courtesy, not personality, It is to co-operate, not to impose, It is to follow the better ones, and make other's life better
India
March 23, 2008 6:21am CST
I have been into leading my friends and associates in most projects. I believe that co-operation and convincing ability is more important for being a good leader rather than imposing oneself upon others. Sometimes, certain awkward situations do come in my life where I have to take a decision which may be beneficial but a tough one for my associates and myself. But then its all fine when the results decide that what was taken as a decision was something beneficial. What is your opinion about being a good leader? I want to improve myself in this field and so would be glad to receive your opinions.
6 responses
pausmiling
@pausmiling (116)
• Singapore
25 Mar 08
hmm... i think you are right about co-operation and convincing ability. But at the end, it boils down to trust. When that level of trust with your colleagues and friends is high, your tough decision will be respected and listened to. The awkward situations are times when this level of trust is tested. To me, a good leader is about being influential.
malounicart
@malounicart (24)
• Philippines
25 Mar 08
Being a leader must mean that you must be able to influence your people, steer them in the right direction in order to achieve goals. I suppose what you are doing is right. Projects have deadlines so as a leader, you must be able to get the members moving into one direction.Leadership is not popularity so your group may dislike what you are doing at first. If in the end everybody has benefited, they themselves will realize the importance of your decisions and course of actions. Good leaders do not waver under pressure and may not conform to peer pressure.
praveenjena
@praveenjena (1304)
• India
23 Mar 08
the most important quality of a leader that he must take care of his team and must be ready to take the responsibilities for the activities that his team performs.
angiemac4444
@angemac23 (2003)
• Canada
23 Mar 08
A Leader should always be respectful and never talk down to his followers.
serialpt
@serialpt (9)
• China
23 Mar 08
As what you said ,co-operation and convincing ability is very important for being a leader.In my opinion,leader should be a good organizer.communication and responsebility is also very important.
Suprmn517
@Suprmn517 (3)
• United States
24 Mar 08
What makes a good leader is ones ability to relate to those that he leads. One must also be able to follow. It is said that a good leader knows how and when to follow. Being able to have the respect of those you lead does not come from your qualifications, but, from your compassion and strength.