1. Character – It is of utmost importance that a leader is capable to lead others. A leader needs to live their life with honesty and integrity Abraham Lincoln said, “Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.” Our character is very important. Leaders walk in good character and integrity every day and they do the right thing. Peers will judge a leader on their character. Choose what’s Right:   Let’s face it, what’s wrong is always available to us. So is what’s right. Unfortunately, it’s human nature to gravitate towards what’s wrong. Swim upstream against the current and change this mindset. Choose What’s Right!
  2. Passion –People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Passion allows you to be more than you think you can be. It drives you to push limits. Being passionate isn’t just about knowing – it’s also about feeling. Passionate people lead significantly different lives from their less-than-enthusiastic counterparts. Let your Passion Hang Out. Wear your passion on your sleeve.   Don’t hide it, promote it!   Doing what you’re passionate about and showing it in all you do can truly be an attitude changing experience (and not just to you). Infect others with it!
  3. Acceptance- Sooner or later, everyone is bound to run into trouble or adverse circumstances. When it happens, truly successful leaders accept failure and setbacks and bring everything back into proper perspective.  Failure is necessary in order to meet success. The best leaders and the most successful are willing to fail and learn along the way.
  4. Responsibility- Powerful leaders take personal responsibility for failure. How can they expect employees to hold themselves accountable if they themselves don’t? People duck responsibility for reasons ranging from simple laziness to a fear of failure. Whatever the reason, if people fail to take responsibility, they’ll fail in their jobs, they’ll fail their teams, and they’ll fail to grow as individuals.
  5. Authenticity- Authenticity is about being genuine and real. It allows us to connect deeply with others because it requires us to be transparent and vulnerable. According to a Harvard Business Review, authentic leaders frame their stories in ways that allow them to see themselves not as passive observers but as individuals who learn from their experiences. Authentic leaders are mission driven and focused on resultsThey are able to put the mission and the goals of the organization ahead of their own self-interests.
  6. Persistence – Persistence is probably one of the most admirable characters a person can possess.  It’s the ability to be determined to do or achieve something regardless of any setbacks. If you want to become a powerful leader and achieve success, now is the time to develop and master persistence.  Persistence is essential. In fact, persistence is one of the most important characteristics successful people share in common.

“No great achievement is possible without persistent work.” –  Bertrand Russell

Don’t drift through life – anchor it with a personal plan and a leadership coach who holds you accountable. Get an honest assessment of your skills and strengths in multiple areas of your life. Build positive momentum with a structured and intentional growth plan. Focus on concrete action steps designed to produce measurable progress. You can have a more meaningful and fulfilling life, but you can’t get there alone.
For executive coaching to become an effective leader contact Dave Ferguson. Dave assists bosses in becoming leaders and helps leaders build legacies. In addition to his own company and clients, Dave is also an Executive Leadership Coach for the John Maxwell Company and Keller Williams MAPS Business Coaching Company.
(704) 907-0171
Email: Dave@LivingToLead.com