only way for a leader to do so is to practice excellence himself . In word , he must practice it ; in deed , he must apply it ; and in all things , he must perform it . Diligence in little things brings great rewards ; diligence in big things brings extraordinary rewards . A leader ’ s rewards are in proportion to the quality of his leadership .
Oprah Winfrey all spent a significant portion of their lives inspiring people . Life is difficult for all : no one is spared from adversity , sorrow , and hardship . That is why multitudes are drawn to great leaders : they lift people up . It goes without saying : the more people a leader inspires , the more people who are willing to follow him .
When you lift someone up , you don ’ t need a gun or a sword to get them to follow you ; he does so willingly . Evidence of this is Jesus . Without money , soldiers , or weapons , He managed to inspire His generation so much that , thousands of years later , Napoleon Bonaparte said of Him : “ I know men , and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man . Between Him and every other person in the world , there is no possible term of comparison . Alexander , Caesar , Charlemagne , and I have founded empires . But on what did we rest the creation of our genius ? Upon force . Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love ; and at this hour , millions of men would die for Him .”
Accountability
When things go right , a leader is praised , but when they go wrong , a leader is criticized . Leaders who stand out share praise but take the blame . One who holds others responsible for his failures can never improve , and one who cannot improve can never lead , for how can one better others if one cannot better himself ?
And , the greater a leader ’ s accountability , the greater his nobility .
Instinctive
Instinct is the gut-feeling you have about something or someone for which you have no rational explanation . In any discipline , intuition is what separates those who succeed from those who fail . People who rise to the top are not always the smartest , but they are the most instinctive . Two people can possess the same knowledge , but one may make a different decision based solely on a hunch . Instinctively knowing when to hold , when to fold , and when to play is what separates great poker players from ordinary ones .
Communication
If people don ’ t know what you require of them , they will never fulfill your expectations . How a leader communicates to his subordinates determines how effectively they perform . Winston Churchill was said to spend two days practicing his speech , well aware of the power of words . Even in nature , animals would not be able to hunt together , nor would birds be able to migrate as one in perfect formation , if it weren ’ t for communication .
Excellence
The only way for a leader to stand out is to help those beneath him stand out , and the
Wisdom is the right application of knowledge . The greater the wisdom a leader possesses , therefore , the more he can accomplish . Insight enables a leader to see what others cannot , which enables him to achieve what others cannot . It also enables a leader to deal shrewdly with his opponents and wisely with his allies . Where intelligence doubles a leader ’ s value , wisdom triples it .
Charisma
Leadership is influence ; therefore to be a great leader , one must be able to draw a great number of people , and to draw a great number of people , one must have charisma . No one follows anyone they dislike , but people are willing to die for those they love , only to stone those they hate instead . The greater a leader ’ s charisma , therefore , the greater the number of people he can draw , and the greater the things he can accomplish . Charisma is powerful – so powerful that men like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King changed the world because of it .
Spirituality
Humans are spirit beings housed in a body . If you touch their minds , they will follow you ; if you touch their hearts , they will fight for you ; and if you touch their souls , they will even die for you . A leader who intends to achieve extraordinary things must , therefore , be spiritual , for it is from the soul that men create their highest works and do their highest deeds . There is no one willing to die for Bill Gates , but millions are ready to die for Jesus , Buddha , and Krishna , though they died more than two thousand years ago .
The real power of a leader is in the number of minds he can reach , hearts he can touch , souls he can move , and lives he can change . And as it is said : to encourage people , walk beside them ; to inspire them , walk in front of them ; to drive them , walk behind them ; and to lead people , walk with them .
Matshona Dhliwayo runs WISDOM Inc . in Toronto , Canada . You can commune with him on this on related matters via email at : Matshonadhliwayo @ wisdominc . ca