In good economic times effective leaders are an asset; in turbulent economic times these good leaders are a requirement. Many people view the concepts of management and leadership as the same thing. They are not; good managers manage things and tasks (sometimes people), good leaders lead people.

An over looked group of people are the good informal leaders. They do not have official titles; nor do they necessarily want them. Attitude and aptitude play a big role in this. Situational leadership is also critical when “push comes to shove”. A final component to consider is leadership capacity that is given to an individual versus that person taking a leadership role.

Possible Traits of Leadership:

• Good leaders don’t always have the answers; but know how to get them
• Visionary
• Proactive
• Risk taking
• Self motivated, self directed with a positive attitude
• Confident and promotes the confidence in others
• Secure in who they are
• Recuperates and learns from failure
• Knows how to gather multiple resources (people and things)
• Relates well to people and has their interests at heart
• Trusts others and their judgment
• Effective communicator (includes listening and observation skills)
• Has mentors and successful examples
• Learns what not to do (learns from the mistakes of others)
• Know when and how to delegate (delegate versus dumping)
• Wants others to succeed and progress
• Possesses a good sense of timing
• Has Plan B (C and D if necessary); adaptability and flexibility
• Builds up to their level through success and experience
• Knows how to find and develop allies
• Looks like a leader
• Is a change agent
• Possesses a thirst for knowledge; practices and promotes life-long learning (formal/informal, professional/personal)

How many (if any) of these traits do you already possess and do you recognize them in others? If you are ready for leadership how do you present your case to achieve that capacity? You will need tangible and sometimes quantitative examples to present to a manager or the powers that be.

A good place to start is by volunteering to take the lead on special projects, putting extra information or time into tasks that are already assigned to you (going that extra mile). Another great avenue to stretch your self and establish a track record is through professional associations (committee chair, Broad of Directors, etc.). This is a natural training ground for:

• Recuperates and learns from failure
• Has mentors and successful examples
• Learns what not to do (learns from the mistakes of others)
• Builds up to their level through success and experience

Since you are at a volunteer status the air of forgiveness is greater and there will be no fatal error classification. Leadership capacities in any other social or pure nonprofit organizations are also great apprenticeship experiences.

Leadership abilities should be viewed in an apprenticeship, journeyman, and master environment. Are good leaders made or born? There is really no right answer to this. Some people show these traits early, but only certain people recognize it. Some people are late bloomers and another group will only display this trait when absolutely necessary.

In any of these situations without somebody taking sound leadership; everyone will go over the cliff, so everyone loses; including customers, vendors and sometime the community. Choose your employer on their leadership abilities and hone your skills if you desire that role for mutual benefit. When you combine the right employer at the right time with your abilities, success (not just survival) of that organization should follow.