Qualities of a leader

            No two persons would ever agree on the desired qualities, as almost every human strength or virtue will be quoted. The elements of persuasion, compulsion and example may be considered to be essential to effect leadership. It has also been said that a leader should make it his job to be known to all and that it is more important to be recognised than to be popular.

            “One can be looked up to, whose personal judgement is trusted, who can inspire and warm the hearts of those he leads, gaining their trust and confidence and explaining what is needed in language which can be understood.”

            A leader should also have the following attributes – skill, technology, perception, knowledge, physique, memory, imagination, determination, endurance and courage. It must be carefully noted that the leadership qualities that are needed in a particular situation are not usually found in any one individual.

            The successful leader therefore can be considered to be perceptible and flexible and able to act appropriately, i.e. in one situation he is strong, in another he is permissive. It is worth nothing also that the formal status of an individual does not indicate the ability he has to influence others; as such ability is rather a combination of his position and his personality.

Below are some good guidelines to success in Leadership:

As we moved into the 21st Century, the demands and expectations on the supervisors’ competency are increasing by leaps and bounds due to many reasons:

Below are some

Here are some for your consideration and attention.

Supervisors must:

It is pointless to have all the skills mentioned above if it does not bring about the achievement of your or your team’s objectives. That is the meaning of being an effective supervisor i.e. one must be results oriented. Here are some of the characteristics of a results oriented supervisor:

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IN THIS VERY VISUAL WORLD, WE are influenced first and foremost by what we see. Your outer appearance needs to reflect what’s on the inside – your values, your personality and, crucially, your leadership expertise. Otherwise, you send mixed messages. The ability to manage your image is a critical skill and one that you can easily learn, ensuring that your appearance consistently projects your capability as a leader.
Just look at effective leaders – they all have ‘presence’ or that indefinable X factor. They exude quiet authority or obvious power, according to their personality style. It’s not only appearance, but posture , demeanour and the way we interact with people that all contribute to our personal presence. Impressive leaders are often described as ‘taking up space’. They stand, move and dress confidently and assertively. They are well aware of the subliminal messages of non-verbal communication, such as image and body language, and will use these tricks effectively.
Leaders also make the rules rather than follow them and have the confidence to dress to reflect their personality and business. Think of Sir John Harvey-Jones with his natty suits and flamboyant socks, Richard Branson’s early years in his approachable knitwear or Anita Roddick’s style which echoes her individuality and ethical interests. Each of these leaders has a very distinctive personal image. You need to develop your personal style to suit your style of leadership.
Whatever look you choose, you must be true to your personality and remain individual to ensure you’re memorable.

Feel the Quality

            Whether you believe money is the measure of success or not, when it comes to appearance, quality counts. That doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive items you can find – it’s about seeking out clothes and accessories where the quality of the material and craftsmanship is evident. A perfect fitting lightweight wool suit, an immaculate silk tie or a beautifully stitched handbag in softest leather – they all ooze quality. Too often in corporate life, an individual’s impact is marred by the inclusion of an item that jars. A smart tailored suit and crisp shirt can be undermined by a cheap plasitic watch. It gives out a message of poor judgement, poor quality and a sloppy approach to work. The subliminal message you want people to pick up from your appearance is ‘here is someone who knows what they are doing, where they are going, with sound judgement and an eye for quality and detail.’
Whatever level they work at, an effective leader is a role model. They are setting the standards to all those below them on the career ladder – and should take that responsibility seriously. Giving clear messages to your employees about how you expect them to dress at work will make them feel far more comfortable than a confusing ‘anything goes’ atmosphere. Make it clear to your staff or team just what you expect of them and avoid vague terms that can be misinterpreted. The current trend towards a ‘modern professional’ dress code, where an employee is expected to make judgements about the look required by each day’s activities, is a good test of their business acumen. Judging when to opt for ‘formal business’, knowing when ‘relaxed business’ will do or when ‘business casual’ is the order of the day takes perception – and that’s a valuable skill to have on your team.
You will want your staff and clients to have absolute faith in you and your ability to make good decisions, and to earn their respect. Your clothes have a part to play here – always err on the side of formality or, if the culture in which you work demands a  business casual approach, keep it smart and co-ordinated.

Consider the Culture

Of course, your clothes need to match the culture and values of your organisation. For example, in a young innovative company, you’ll need to be more casual and keep a closer eye on fashion trends. Knowing how to wear colour will help you look more authoritative when you need to. This is especially true when selecting business casual items as they are often more colourful and require good coordination. There will also be occasions when you need to project more approachability and subtle changes in the way you wear colours can help achieve this.
Finally, you must be true to yourself and dress to reflect your personality. That way you will always look comfortable and confident in your clothes. Your demeanour should indicate to anyone that you’re the boss and in control. If you don’t feel right in what you’re wearing, that will come across to others and your personal credibility will suffer. Don’t let your clothes overpower you either – make a statement but keep it understated. You should be the focus of attention, not your outfit.
Colours that aren’t flattering, styles that don’t suit or clothes that don’t fit will all get you noticed for the wrong reasons, as will poor grooming and ill-judged make-up. Too much or too little are equally inappropriate. As a female leader, it’s well worth learning how to use make-up effectively to achieve a polished professional look.
As a man, you need to adopt a grooming regime that includes regular maintenance of hair, nails, facial hair, clothes and accessories. A combination of the above tactics will strengthen your ability to influence the way others perceive you.

• TNI has been in this business since late 1999, and has grown to be one of the leading training providers in town.
• TNI specializes in In-House training as they are able to customize the training according to the needs of the client(s). However public courses are also available on request, as many small companies (and even the larger ones) are usually unable to release all their staff for training at the same time.
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