10 Ways to Define Leadership
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. CREDIT: Leadership Image via Shutterstock |
Answering the question of what makes a good leader is made infinitely more difficult by the fact that there is no one-size-fits all definition of leadership. To help, BusinessNewsDaily spoke with 10 business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs to help formulate a defintion of leadership. Here's what they had to say:
Leadership is inspiring others to pursue your vision within the parameters you set, to the extent that it becomes a shared effort, a shared vision, and a shared success. Steve Zeitchik, CEO of Focal Point Strategies
Leadership in the business world requires harnessing the energy and efforts of a group of individuals so that their outlook is advanced from an unremarkable Point A to a very desirable Point B — from bad to good, slow to fast, red to black. During that process, leadership manifests in projecting your expertise in a way that gains the confidence of others. Ultimately, leadership becomes about trust — when that confidence inspires them to align their vision and level of commitment for the betterment of the company. Phil Blair, president of Manpower Staffing Services of San Diego
For me, Leadership is an act — a decision to take a stand, or step, in order to encourage, inspire or motivate others to move with you. What's more, the most effective leaders do not rely on their title, or positional power, to lead. Rather, their ability to use their own personal power combined with their use of strategic influence are what make them effective. Kendra Coleman, a consultant at Sheppard Moscow, a firm that specializes in business transformation and employee engagement
Leadership is the ability to take an average team of individuals and transform them into superstars. The best leader is the one who inspires his workers to achieve greatness each and every day. Jonas Falk, a chef and the CEO of OrganicLife, a startup that provides nutritious school lunches
Leadership is influencing others by your character, humility, and example. It is recognizable when others follow in word and deed without obligation or coercion. Sonny Newman, president of contract manufacturer EE Technologies
Leadership is actions committed by a person or group that produce an output or result. It simply helps people to get things done. It is not based on position in a hierarchy.Robert Preziosi, professor and past chairman of management at Nova Southeastern University's Huizenga School of Business
Leadership is the collective action of everyone you influence. Your behavior – your actions and your words – determine how you influence. Our job as leaders is to energize whatever marshals action within others. David Casullo, president of Bates Communications and author of "Leading the High Energy Culture — What the Best CEOs Do to Create an Atmosphere Where Employees Flourish" (McGraw Hill, 2012)
Leadership is the ability to inspire motivation in others to move toward a desirable vision. While management is focused on tasks, leadership is focused on the person. All in all, the best leadership drives change and long lasting motivation. Josh Kuehler, president of Internal Consistency, a firm that helps to improve employee performance
Leadership is simply causing other people to do what the leaders want. Good leadership, whether formal or informal, is helping other people rise to their full potential while accomplishing the mission and goals of the organization. All members of an organization, who are responsible for the work of others, have the potential to be good leaders if properly developed. Bob Mason, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and founder of leadership firm RLM Planning and Leadership
Leadership is employing your skills and knowledge, leveraged by your attitude to get the results you desire. Philip Gafka, founder of leadership development firm Leap Associates
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