Do you know what a Leader is?

Ever wonder what a leader really is? The easy answer is "the person that's in charge" or "the boss" although sometimes this is farther from the truth.

Dictionary.com defines a leader as follow:

lead·er

 [lee-der] Show IPA

noun

1. a person or thing that leads.

2. a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group.

3. Music .

a. a conductor or director, as of an orchestra, band, or chorus.

b. the player at the head of the first violins in an orchestra, the principal cornetist in a band, or the principal soprano in a chorus, to whom any incidental solos are usually assigned.

4. a featured article of trade, especially one offered at a low price to attract customers. Compare loss leader.

5. Journalism .

a. leading article ( def. 1 ) .

b. Also called leading article. British . the principal editorial in a newspaper.

Sounds good, doesn't it? At some point we have all had a "leader" that had no right to be in the position that they are in. They could not lead a pack of hungry lions to a zebra carcass if it was 20 feet away. Yet you have some people that will lead you to the ends of the Earth and back and are not in "the" leadership position.

So, what makes a great leader? Depending on who you ask, or where you look, the answers that you get are varied. One common theme seems to be that they are willing to listen to the people that they work with and help them achieve the success that they want through the goals that they have set for themselves.

A leader should:

• Take the time to find out how the person is doing and ask what they can do to help the them do their job better. 
• Get to know who they work with. 
• Get to know at least 3 things about that person that may not be work related. Ask them "What do you want me to know about yourself?"
• Check in with them regularly and see if they need help.
• Be sincere when doing these things. If you fake sincerity, they will know it and you will not achieve the results that you want. IT WILL BACKFIRE!

When a leader truly cares about the people that work with them, they will find that those that "follow" will do so because they want to, not because they have to. A leader will be there for them no matter what. The leader will show them a loyalty that is insurmountable not because of expectations, but because of the desire that comes from deep within them. A true leader will sometimes make the hardest decisions that will affect the "employee" but will explain why the decision was made and not just throw out "Because I'm the boss and I said so." A true leader will have "employees" that will volunteer for the worst assignment possible with a smile on their face because they know the job has to be done. A true leader will get down and dirty with them at the same time so that they never forget where they came from. 

Then again, this is just my opinion....what do you think?