We all recognize great leadership when we see it and most of us can name a few examples of great leaders. Leadership is the result of a combination of factors including vision, strength and good communication coming together in the same place at the same time and achieving something great. But how many of us think that those qualities can be taught? Is there such as thing as leadership training?
We’ve all heard the saying ‘leaders are born not made’ and many of us take that to be true. An incredibly small percentage of people become great leaders and this is taken to mean that those who do must have something special which cannot be quantified. On closer inspection though, that is just another of the qualities of a great leader; the ability to make things seem effortless.
Leadership training might seem like a new term invented by managers and training centres but it refers to a system whereby a person learns to use their abilities and skills to achieve great things. Years ago, if it was to do with someone born into a royal house or powerful family, it may have been referred to simply as a sort of education. The Greeks; Socrates, plate etc. called it mentoring, a term which has found favour in recent years.
Leaders display several characteristics that mark them out from the crowd; charisma, optimism and the ability to stay calm in the most stressful situations. These qualities form the basis of the leader’s behaviour and go a large way towards projecting the image that a leader needs to have. Learning this behaviour management is a vital part of leadership training.
Leadership training identifies several key areas that need to be thoroughly understood and which a person must display in order to be called a leader.
Dedication – Leaders are never half hearted in anything they do.
Purpose – There are always several important reasons behind everything great leaders do.
Commitment – Leaders are often blinkered in there approach to things.
Cooperation – Leaders understand they cannot physically do everything and surround themselves with the best possible people to get tasks done.
Belief – Leaders have a faith in their ability even when others doubt them.
Integrity – Leaders are always seen as people with a great sense of what is right and wrong and are respected for it.
Leadership training also makes a vital distinction between the two areas that, when combined successfully, result in great leadership. One is obvious, the other less so.
The Role of a Leader – There are subtle but significant differences between a leader and a manager. A manager is largely dealing with decisions that affect the speed and efficiency with which something gets done. The decisions that a leader makes will often determine whether something gets done at all. There is an added element of control that has far reaching consequences.
The Importance of Team – Without a team there is no leader and without a good team and leader can never be called a good or great leader. Leaders must recognise how to get the best from their teams. Part of leadership training is learning how to recognise the different personality types in a team and get the best from them. Recognising and utilising talent is a skill that can be taught which involves clear judgement and good communication. Another aspect to maintaining a good team is being able to allow room for development. Often it is the case that the best people in a team are also the ones who need to constantly feel they are moving forward and learning. The whole process of become a great leader is learning how to balance and mange the people around you.
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