People often view leaders as individualistic visionaries. But great leaders are the opposite. They are an expression of a general sentiment, a larger sense of justice. The most important quality of a leader, therefore, is not to talk, but to listen. To become the synthesis of a movement. To lead well is really to follow expertly. This, in my humble opinion, is why women make the best leaders.
I think leadership is demonstrating a genuine belief in and commitment to a cause. The INTANGIBLES make a great leader, such as courage, integrity, passion, resilience, and empathy. This is what inspires others. I think leadership is found WITHIN. A 5’ 5” 17-year-old named Audie Murphy joined the U.S. military in 1942 and became the most decorated soldier in U.S. history. In the 1950s and 1960s, a man named Martin Luther King Jr., facing extreme racism, resistance and threats to life, became the most heralded nonviolent champion of equality and won the Nobel Peace Prize. I feel that I have the intangibles…effective communication is what I need to work on.
A great leader needs a strong knowledge base in their field, but also enough creativity and curiosity to know about adjacent or potentially adjacent fields, so that they can work together with other leaders to form alliances that would be beneficial for all.
I think good leadership should help people excel and also make sure they are happy about what they’re doing. People will go to the ends of the Earth for a leader they like, and will perform subpar for one they don’t. As a woman and a Mom, I feel like a leader when I bring people in, when I protect boundaries, when I watch what people do more than listening to what they say.
A great leader possesses strong self-leadership—a compassionate understanding of their own human experience and its impact on others. They understand the ripple effect of their words, emotions, and behaviors and use them to inspire through courageous and humble acts.
A great leader has the ability to see the bigger picture, and how each of the parts and people fit to achieve a common goal. As an extroverted introvert, I was tapped for leadership when I was an active member of our city's Junior League. It was unexpected, as I was quiet, stayed behind the scenes, observed more than I spoke. My ability was in listening and empathy, but also taking action when needed.
I think good leadership stems from empathy, authenticity, vision, and action. If any one of those elements is missing, the rest of it feels hollow or misguided or chaotic. My immediate response to your question about my unique leadership abilities was, "I don't have any." But when I sat with the question (and it took me a few days), I started thinking about the things my teachers/colleagues and students have said. I'm really good at building relationships and trust because I lean hard into my empathy and I listen to support someone, not to come up with my next response. Because of my specific flavour of neurospicy, I don't mask much at all - it feels gross. So I can't help but give my honest thoughts, even though I have gotten better at delivering them diplomatically. I also lead with curiosity and ask questions to guide people to new ways of thinking when I see an opportunity for change; I don't tell them "you should do this because I think it's a good idea." I'm also very much a boots-on-the-ground, get-my-hands-dirty person. See a need, meet a need. Shit needs to get done, I do it. I don't care if it's my job or the custodian's or a clerk's at a shoppe I'm visiting. And if I realise the way something is being done is inefficient, I build a solution, test it, THEN go to the decision-makers to be like, "hey, this sucked before but I made it better and here's how, you wanna use it?" So I feel like I'm hitting all four of those critical areas of leadership. Darn good thing since I'm starting a new gig as an assistant principal!
A great leader comforts the afflicted and comes from a sense of justice, love and compassion for all mankind.
Absolutely. ❤️
People often view leaders as individualistic visionaries. But great leaders are the opposite. They are an expression of a general sentiment, a larger sense of justice. The most important quality of a leader, therefore, is not to talk, but to listen. To become the synthesis of a movement. To lead well is really to follow expertly. This, in my humble opinion, is why women make the best leaders.
Yes!! 🙌
I think leadership is demonstrating a genuine belief in and commitment to a cause. The INTANGIBLES make a great leader, such as courage, integrity, passion, resilience, and empathy. This is what inspires others. I think leadership is found WITHIN. A 5’ 5” 17-year-old named Audie Murphy joined the U.S. military in 1942 and became the most decorated soldier in U.S. history. In the 1950s and 1960s, a man named Martin Luther King Jr., facing extreme racism, resistance and threats to life, became the most heralded nonviolent champion of equality and won the Nobel Peace Prize. I feel that I have the intangibles…effective communication is what I need to work on.
Yes! I love this focus on the intangibles.
A great leader needs a strong knowledge base in their field, but also enough creativity and curiosity to know about adjacent or potentially adjacent fields, so that they can work together with other leaders to form alliances that would be beneficial for all.
Collaboration is so important.
I think good leadership should help people excel and also make sure they are happy about what they’re doing. People will go to the ends of the Earth for a leader they like, and will perform subpar for one they don’t. As a woman and a Mom, I feel like a leader when I bring people in, when I protect boundaries, when I watch what people do more than listening to what they say.
A great leader possesses strong self-leadership—a compassionate understanding of their own human experience and its impact on others. They understand the ripple effect of their words, emotions, and behaviors and use them to inspire through courageous and humble acts.
Such a great definition of a strong leader.
A great leader has the ability to see the bigger picture, and how each of the parts and people fit to achieve a common goal. As an extroverted introvert, I was tapped for leadership when I was an active member of our city's Junior League. It was unexpected, as I was quiet, stayed behind the scenes, observed more than I spoke. My ability was in listening and empathy, but also taking action when needed.
I love this, Kerry!
I think good leadership stems from empathy, authenticity, vision, and action. If any one of those elements is missing, the rest of it feels hollow or misguided or chaotic. My immediate response to your question about my unique leadership abilities was, "I don't have any." But when I sat with the question (and it took me a few days), I started thinking about the things my teachers/colleagues and students have said. I'm really good at building relationships and trust because I lean hard into my empathy and I listen to support someone, not to come up with my next response. Because of my specific flavour of neurospicy, I don't mask much at all - it feels gross. So I can't help but give my honest thoughts, even though I have gotten better at delivering them diplomatically. I also lead with curiosity and ask questions to guide people to new ways of thinking when I see an opportunity for change; I don't tell them "you should do this because I think it's a good idea." I'm also very much a boots-on-the-ground, get-my-hands-dirty person. See a need, meet a need. Shit needs to get done, I do it. I don't care if it's my job or the custodian's or a clerk's at a shoppe I'm visiting. And if I realise the way something is being done is inefficient, I build a solution, test it, THEN go to the decision-makers to be like, "hey, this sucked before but I made it better and here's how, you wanna use it?" So I feel like I'm hitting all four of those critical areas of leadership. Darn good thing since I'm starting a new gig as an assistant principal!