| Great leaders understand that people will not follow | | | | necessary for strong leadership support if your |
| you just because you want them to, or because you | | | | followers can't approach you. You must be available |
| say they must. Leaders create a following only by | | | | and open to discussion, ready to listen sincerely, and |
| being the type of leader that people want to follow. | | | | willing to acknowledge valuable input and suggestions. |
| So the question for aspiring leaders becomes, "How | | | | This consistency will help build trust and increase the |
| can I get people to want to follow me?" If you're a | | | | confidence of your team. |
| leader with this question on your mind, consider these | | | | People follow leaders they admire. |
| things: | | | | The most important trait that others will see and value |
| People follow leaders they trust. | | | | is a leader's sense of commitment. A great leader |
| No matter how good you may be at your job, | | | | must be ready to give everything he has for the |
| regardless of your skills, knowledge or talent, you will | | | | cause he believes in. If a leader cannot demonstrate |
| not create a following without first being a person that | | | | his own true dedication to the company goals and |
| people can come to know and trust. Character goes | | | | objectives, how can he expect others to follow along? |
| much farther than brains when attempting to recruit | | | | People follow leaders they respect. |
| believers to your cause. People will quickly see | | | | Respect never comes automatically with position or |
| through a charade if you are trying to be someone | | | | title, it must be earned. Initially, people may follow |
| you're not. Great leaders not only talk the talk, they | | | | along with a leader because he is the person in |
| walk the walk! | | | | charge, but ultimately they will follow a leader whom |
| People follow leaders who care. | | | | they respect. Being able to do the job well increases |
| When you want to lead so others will follow, you have | | | | a leader's credibility. It is when things get tough and a |
| to care about them as individuals. When a person feels | | | | leader must stand up to his commitments, that he will |
| that he matters as a person, that his opinions are | | | | develop a following of individuals who respect him and |
| valued and his efforts appreciated, he is far more likely | | | | his competence. |
| to respond in a positive manner. The more a leader | | | | All of the above actions are built on the principles of |
| or manager proves genuine interest and concern for | | | | influence, not position. Everything a leader does, and |
| his employees, the more loyal his believers and | | | | everything he says plays a critical role in the way he |
| followers will become. | | | | ultimately influences those around him. It is this influence |
| People follow leaders they can talk to. | | | | that builds the trust, confidence and loyalty that every |
| It is impossible to make the kind of connection | | | | good leader strives for. |