4 Ways To Become A Strong Leader

Learn The Subtle Art of Communication

Stephen R. Covey conveys in his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” that a vital habit (#5 in the book) is to “seek first to understand then to be understood.”

Covey would state in that Chapter that, “We typically seek first to be understood. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

It is fascinating that listening and understanding others is most times left out of the equation of a communication exercise. Every day we wake up we are involved in some form of communication. Either we’re going to read something, write something or speak. However, we must also take the time to listen.

Empathic listening will allow you to leap in bounds above your peers. If you manage a team or lead a company, imagine how much more instructive it would be to know and understand your members' needs, desires and ambitions. Then you can know how to serve them and build them up to become great people.

Make Decisions Grounded On Sound Thinking And Understanding

Service above self may seem like an odd business statement, but the current scholarship on what makes great leaders who they are, bend towards the servant leadership spectrum.

And if you think about it, you’ll realize it is true. The greatest leaders of our times were never necessarily those who were rich, or powerful. Many were brilliant orators or knew how to manage crises. Some lost their lives in testy struggles or left a legacy for people to follow in a community. Another thing that is always startling is that they tried to make decisions that were based on adequate thought and understanding of what would make the most sense for the common good.

For example, when you think in the last century, you may consider people such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. All these magnificent humans served their communities and tried to make drastic changes for the world at large.