What Makes Great Leaders?

All great leaders look for opportunities to coach others. They just do. There is a natural drive in any great leader to see others become better in what they do, to see individuals reach their full potential and to make an impact in other’s lives. Is this you? If so, then great. If not, then that’s ok. You might just need to look inward, though. You see, in my experience I have found that selfishness is the one thing that will stop you from focusing on others. It is the one thing that will keep your focus off of the right things.

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Great leaders care about the people around them.

Here are three other points that all great leaders need to have a grasp of:

1. Great leaders are secure in themselves.

When leaders allow their team to actually work and think for themselves, it is a sign that they are secure in themselves. They are able to see others reach their full potential and are happy for them at the same time. When leaders feel they have to do everything on their own, it is not only a sign that they have trust issues with their team, but it is usually another issue they have with insecurity. Leaders have to be confident enough in themselves to give away power and see what others do with it. You shouldn’t live by the old saying, “You have to do things yourself if you want them done right.” But, you can start living by your new mantra, “You have to coach others well if you want things done right.” Dedicate yourself to seeing others accomplish more than you ever dreamed of.

Leaders who want others to grow are secure enough to give life-changing information away.

2. Great leaders can spot potential and delegate.

All great leaders see the potential in others before everyone else does and those are the people that these leaders find and delegate to on a regular basis. So on the flip side of this, if you aren’t in a specific leadership role, you can still be a leader right where you are at. Leadership on your part is to be available every day with a great attitude. When you do this it says that you are ready and willing to serve others with a heart that is looking to pour good into the lives of those around you.

Great leaders trust their team enough to give big tasks away and allow them to learn through victories or mistakes.

3. Great leaders duplicate themselves.

These are the same leaders who want to pour into others and see those same people succeed. They realize that tasks are easier when they can hand them off to people who would do things the same way and know that those tasks will be done correctly and maybe even better than if they were to attempt it themselves. Someone once told me, “If you are the best person here at what you do, then there is something wrong with that.” When you realize that important point, it creates a culture of coaching others. Where some leaders miss this is not carving out enough time in their day to pour into the lives of others. What I am telling you here is that it is important enough to make the time to do this. Leaders, you need this to be a top priority in your day.

You can tell how much influence a leader has by looking at who is following them.

You can start today by reaching outward and doing something for someone else. Make others a priority in your life and form habits that show it. When you impact the people around you it leaves a lasting legacy and the pattern is passed on. Live this out and watch as you build a team who achieves greatness.

How have you poured into someone else’s life lately? You can leave your comment below.