5 qualities that make a effective leader

It is researched that many elements put together in the right way can make a leader. However, it is also this individual
who has the right qualities in the right place at the right time that makes all the difference. Here are some of the
crucial aspects to being an effective leader:

I ) Leaders are ambitious

Ambition is the single word that would make individuals exciting and passionate. Ambition coupled with a great vision
can make individuals great leaders who build great organizations or institutions.

If there is one thing that can sustain over time, it is the ambition to reach the next level. As a leadership expert
commented, "the moment you feel you have reached, be ready to climb down a few notches

II) Leaders have exceptional ability to get into what matters

If you think that anybody who has money or power can sustain being a leader, it would be only through the support of
a very strong team behind them and not their efforts alone. It is a crucial aspect of sustained leadership to recognize
what is needed and act on it. I remember a professor, commenting on the ability of Mata Amritananda Mayi, as she /
her congregation have built well-known institutes, she also happens to be the chancellor of the group of institutions.

In one of the review meetings a senior professor was amazed by her ability to ask the right questions. 'What is the
student to faculty ratio? How much is spent on research? What is the number of research papers in international
journals?" Quite amazing since it has come from an individual who herself is not a graduate!

Leaders put exceptional effort in studying matters with a holistic approach and get to the crux.

III) Leaders can absorb challenges

It is the exceptional ability of leaders to absorb challenges that makes the team to move with them. They manage
uncertainties of situation, can make decisions at tough times, are not disturbed during challenging moments and
support people with a calm and cool mind.

A cool leader has immense capacity of take up challenges yet stay visibly cool and composed.

IV) Leaders have a value focus

Leaders should focus on a clear larger purpose both internally to themselves and externally to the organization and
larger society. I remember meeting Narayana Murthy at IIM Ahmedabad Convocation of 2007, when he was the
chairman of the institute. The way he could connect with students and parents who were interacting with him showed
the clarity of the person in terms the message he wanted to convey. Middle-class ethos, global view, creating a sense
of achievement, and integrity was communicated in each of the conversations.

I remember having a similar interaction with Prof Pankaj Chandra, director at IIM Bangalore. The theme of the
conversation was always forward looking and modern; imbibing the new and managing change for betterment that is
inline with modern thinking.

I strongly believe that a person's value focus both in terms of morals and future value that can be created is what can
bring people together to their thoughts and actions.

v) Leaders make followers

Strong value focus, ability to absorb challenges, ambition that people can connect with, and a strong sense of
understanding is what can pull followers to an effective leader. However, it is effective messaging to followers that can
make others listen to them and work with them.

I remember attending to a talk by Ginny Rometty, senior vice president, IBM Global Sales and Distribution. The aura
that she created, the constant messaging that gave the same value proposition, and a compelling reason to talk
made the audience take an interest in what she had to say. However, what makes a whole complex organization like
IBM follow her sales thoughts and strategy is clarity in terms of what she puts forth as an ambitious direction to the
company, integrating the organization as one global integrated enterprise.

A real challenge for an individual to take up is to articulate and convey the purpose with clarity. Leaders constantly
use multiple channels to communicate what is required to the audience and that is what matters in the end, whether
followers are created or not. It is this brand of an individual, for instance 'A youthful, forward-looking Rahul Gandhi',
'Industrial architect Ratan Tata', 'Creative genius A R Rahman' -- that everybody strives to achieve through consistent
thoughts and messaging

This article is taken from REDIFF GET AHEAD. Certain modifications done in order to make it simple & understanding