How to Be the Best Leader

The best leaders are a special breed because they know themselves, their role, their direction, and their purpose. Review the various ways to build your strengths and raise your profile.

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Up next in Business Skills (13 videos)

Get ahead in your career by learning the important business skills in this Howcast video series.

You Will Need

  • Courage
  • Priorities
  • Humor
  • Vision
  • Team
  • Flexibility
  • Delegation skills

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Show courage

    Pursue a constructive course of action in spite of criticism. Demonstrate moral courage in your business. The buck stops at your desk, so you have to be strong.

  2. Step 2

    Exercise judgment

    Exercise good judgment through your willingness to think deeply about life's reversals and peoples' needs, and to incorporate this sensitivity when formulating plans.

  3. Intelligence isn't nearly as critical as humility for making wise decisions.

  4. Step 3

    Prioritize

    Prioritize issues and plot a course. Carefully allocate your time so that your mind is clear and your energies are focused.

  5. Step 4

    Keep humor

    Maintain a sense of humor, a key element for the best leaders. Everyone needs to be cool under pressure -- the troops will trust your example and follow suit.

  6. Step 5

    Create the vision

    Create and communicate a vision for your team. Paint a picture with words so that your vision becomes clear to everyone. Your job is to see over the mountain and beyond tomorrow.

  7. Step 6

    Build a team

    Build a management team that exhibits a desire to succeed, which is a fire you must light through your inspiring focus.

  8. The best leaders choose the right people to make them look good. Be strong enough to take criticism and suggestions.

  9. Step 7

    Move and adjust

    Decide and move on objectives without rigidity, flexing when the market or unforeseen circumstances demand an adjustment. Be thoughtful, not obsessive or egotistic.

  10. Utilize a 360-degree system to get feedback from peers and employees.

  11. Step 8

    Spread the load

    Delegate authority to others -- to involve the team and to spread the load.

  12. Step 9

    Count on character

    Accept your limitations. Be a judicious leader. Be aware of your power -- and the best leader because you don't abuse it.

  13. Argentina became the first nation to have a female president in 1974, when Isabel Peron took control.

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