In high school I overheard some adults talk about leadership. It was repulsive. The words “power” and “ego” would have fit right in. In the years since I’ve learned something about true leadership: It’s rare. Like the demotivator reads: “Leaders are like Eagles. We don’t have either of them.” Here are some hints on becoming a *REAL* leader.

1) Grab a Vision – It doesn’t have to be original with you, but it has to be significant and you have to believe in it. Work on it. Develop it. Stick with it. Great leaders use momentum to build their vision. The clarity of a real leader’s vision grows with time.

2) Carry the Cost – People won’t follow a leader who doesn’t invest in a vision. Not just money, but time, energy and commitment. Great leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela were willing to rot in jail rather than compromise on their vision. People don’t want to be “used” by some ego deprived flunky, but they will flock to committed leaders who will pay the cost of leading the charge for change.

3) Share the Reward – The reward of leadership is not power, but a fulfilled vision. Thanking followers can erode power, but popularizes the vision. Reward followers as often (and publically) as possible.

Following these steps will put you well on the road to becoming a powerless leader. A leader people follow because they want to, not because they have to.

The Irony: Powerless leaders are never short of power.



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