What Truly Defines a Successful Leader? Share Your Thoughts on Key Qualities

What Makes Successful Leaders?

Much is written about what makes successful leaders. While most of us would suggest qualities like people skills, influence, communication, and vision, Ram Charan believes that the foremost quality a successful leader should possess is the ability to sort out complexity. The reason is the nature and number of variables and the structural changes in business. A leader must be a social architect who manages external constituencies as well. Additionally, he should be able to tenaciously master the business model.

I'd be interested in hearing others' opinions on what makes successful leaders.

Dear Gautam,

Here is a good PowerPoint presentation on Leadership. I hope you will like it.

HRAC

Apart from all the qualities mentioned, I would suggest that a leader's true test starts with how he/she reacts in tricky situations. If he reacts in a positive manner, he is considered successful; otherwise, he is considered unsuccessful. So, leadership depends on:
1. Situation
2. Positive attitude
3. Capacity to steer the group towards the suggested outcome by the organization.

Situational Leadership in Action

The best example we find of situational leadership is exhibited during times of war when an army general makes plans and designates people to execute the plan towards a common objective, i.e., victory for the host country and defeat of the enemy. Therefore, I suggest that situational leadership is suited for any tricky situation.

Leadership and Team Building

Leadership is about building a team of great people. When you are less than a leader, it's all about 'you,' but when you become a leader, it's all about 'them.' The intensity with which you grow your people and make them better and better will determine the success of an organization. Leadership is all about caring passionately about others.

For a leader to be successful, he must be authentic, must have the capability to see what's coming around the corner, and should have resilience. Leaders need to emanate affirmative energy.

KA: Gowtham,

This is Prabhu from Coimbatore HR fraternity. Your presentation is simple, sharp, and explained what makes successful leaders.

Hello to all HR friends,

This is Prabhu from Coimbatore HR fraternity. I have joined this portal today. I am interested in learning, sharing, and presenting HR trends with all of you.

I have been in the Indian Army and, like all my comrades, have lived by the Chetwode credo:
"The safety, honour, and welfare of your country come first, always and every time; the honour, welfare, and comfort of the men you command come next; your own ease, comfort, and safety come last, always and every time."

This credo sums up leadership—it has never, ever failed leaders of the Indian Army in war or in peace and will continue to inspire every generation of military leaders. Having also worked in the corporate sector, I am sanguine that this applies to corporate leadership as well. For that matter, in any field of work!

Regards,
Lt. Col. (Retd) Sumant Khare

Thank you for your valuable contributions. I observed and, in fact, learned more than a couple of new lessons from this discussion. I am glad to receive your high-quality inputs.