Leadership: Qualities, Tools, and Roles

By Keenan W.

Leadership is comprised of a variety of different qualities that make a good leader, the tools that leaders use, and the roles leaders fulfill. All of these aspects work together to make up leadership. You can’t have leadership without the qualities of a leader nor can you be a leader without the essential tools needed to command. 

The Qualities of a Leader: 

There are multiple different qualities of a leader. Sometimes, these qualities come naturally to leaders, though more often than not, leadership qualities need to be diligently worked on. According to the Center for Creative Leadership, there are 10 characteristics of a good leader. These are integrity, ability to delegate, communication, self-awareness, gratitude, learning agility, influence, empathy, courage, and respect. Most importantly, leaders need to be sacrificial. Though, while they’re sacrificial, they also need to set up good boundaries of when sacrifice is necessary to win the battle, and when it’s best to just walk away. 

The Tools Leaders Use: 

Aside from the characteristics that define leaders, there are various tools that leaders use to get in touch with their team and, in a positive way, take control and dominate. When we think of the negative ways that leaders control, then we’re met with the image of WWII leaders who controlled their subjects through propaganda, force, and fear. Though in some aspects it might still be similar today, there are still other tools that leaders use. One of the most obvious tools that leaders use is the art of communication or public speaking. Even Moses had to learn how to speak in public to take control. In our day and age, social media and the internet is also an important instrument that can be used to not only communicate with those that you lead, but also to take power, command, and assert dominance with the number of followers or likes you have. That being said, there are still other important skills that good leaders need. Skills such as strategic thinking, planning and delivery, people management, change management, and persuasion and influence. We can grow these skills by not only focusing on trial and error, but also on studying, reading, watching videos, taking courses, and learning. 

Gender-Roles When it Comes to Leadership: 

Often when we think of a leader we’re met with the idea of some manly army general, though, in reality, real leaders are found all around us in many different forms and shapes. Even when we look at the Bible we’re met with a wide variety of leaders. From Moses to Joshua, from David to Elijah, and from Paul to the best leader of all, Jesus. All of these people had set a great example of what it means to lead, though each individual had his challenges when it comes to leadership. Not to be forgotten though, are the woman leaders who played a pivotal role in the Bible. Women leaders such as Miriam the prophetess, Deborah the Judge, Ruth, and Queen Esther. This goes to show that there isn’t a specific gender or person born to lead, we’re all made with the potential to lead, whether we’re a woman or a man, introverted or extroverted, shy or outspoken, small or large, strong or weak, young or old. 

There are many different things that come into play when it comes to leadership and taking the lead. It all takes work, personal growth, and learning to become a good leader. As Student Council elections are approaching, I encourage you not to seek people’s vote by using favoritism or whatever other method but instead focus on the best leader that you can be, because then others will follow. 

If you’d like to learn more about leadership, check out these resources!

Keenan W. is in 11th Grade and has been with NSA since 2019. She lives in South Africa with her family and their dogs on a grape farm. Keenan plays both the piano and the mandolin. She is also an avid reader, loves music, and enjoys watching 2000s movies. Some of her interests include psychology, criminal justice, international affairs, forensics, and politics. She hopes to one day pursue a career in forensic psychology.

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