Dr. Dale Thompson and his team at Leadership Worth Following study leaders--more specifically “worthy” leaders, those who “guide, direct, or influence people in a way that has great merit, character and value.”
Dale’s team identified three key characteristics shared by worthy leaders:
- Capacity to Lead-the knowledge, skills, acumen and vision to lead
- Commitment to Lead –the desire to lead
- Character to Lead-actually leading with integrity, courage and humility when the going gets tough and no one is looking
As you decide to take on, or continue in, a leadership position, start with these 3 questions:
- Can I do it? Is this a leadership position I can do well? Do I have the needed decision-making skills, legal and business knowledge? Do I have the energy and adaptability to stay the course?
- Do I want it? Am I passionate about this undertaking and achieving great results for the group? Do I strongly want success for this group? Am I willing to build and develop the people in the group? Am I committed to my own personal growth in the process? Am I committed to the firm, my group members and my clients? Do I want success and excellence enough to make the commitment that is required?
- Will I behave with character when the going gets tough? Is this a role I actually will fulfill with integrity and ethics, openness, courage and humility? When I am pushed by others behaving badly, expectations that seem impossible to achieve, and with group members who don’t do what they say they will do or just don’t show up, will I nevertheless do the right thing regardless of the personal cost?
If you want to know more, check out the full article: "The Search for Worthy Leadership" [PDF].