[July 30, 2016] There’s an old saying used in business and government that makes an astute observation about success. It goes something like this, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” and it’s used primarily to explain achievement in the workplace and in one’s personal life. But, does who you know make you a leader?
A few years ago, I had a young sergeant asked me what one thing that makes leadership work. He wanted to know the “secret” to being a good leader; a leader who could lead men into battle and have the confidence of succeeding. After a few moments, I gave him my personal opinion that there never was one thing that determines effective leadership.
The same can be said for our lives, our relationship with our family and friends, and our ability to enjoy making significant contributions to others. When I’m told that it’s not what you know, but who you know, I’m quick to disagree that such a factor is the key reason some people are successful and others not. Therefore, in my humble opinion, there are many factors that make a leader.
Here are a few qualities that make a leader successful:1
- Who you know: Yes, this does make a difference and a significant one at that. Relationships with the right people can advance a person in their personal lives.
- What you know: Technical knowledge is of key importance to basic survival as a leader. Information is also the basis of developing a vision for the future.
- What you can do: People follow leaders based on their capabilities. In the military we want someone who can lead us to victory over the enemy.
- Where you’ve been: Credibility is derived from your past experiences and the greater the challenges you’ve overcome, the more people will follow.
- Who you are: The basis of leadership comes from the person; honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect, selfless service, and courage. If a leader possesses such traits, they can be a great leader.
The good news is that all these can be learned. Note that leadership is influence and is only achieved through being earned. When leadership positions are assigned, ordered, or appointed, it cannot confer qualities that make a leader.
[Don’t forget to “Like” the Leader Maker at our Facebook Page.]
————————
- The qualities that I’ve listed are similar to John C. Maxwell’s laws of leadership and can be found here on page 2: http://www.u-leadership.com/the_21_irrefutable_laws_of_leadership-w.pdf. I highly recommend his books (see my summaries here and here).