Question

1. The five most frequently mentioned leadership traits of the most admired leaders in 1987 were honesty, forward-lookingness, the ability to inspire, competence, and intelligence. In 2010, the same five traits headed the list. Why do you think the list has remained consistent? Rank the 5 traits mentioned in order of importance according to YOU and explain your ranking for each.

Answer 1

Leaders are born but not made. A true leader always ignores this statement but concentrates only on developing the leadership qualities that are necessary for success. The reason behind the leadership traits which remained consistent from 19871 to 2010 is because of the following reasons : it inspires confidence in the leader, and it decreases the leadership influence with those who are around the leader.

According to my knowledge the traits can be ranked in this order of its importance

1. Honesty: honesty is the best policy. When the leader is honest people who are with him will be happy. People always want to follow a honest leader. People will trust someone who actively displays honesty.
2. Forward looking: leader always need to have forward looking. Leader should figure out where to go from where he is now. When the leader figures this out then that has to be communicated with the remaining people. And so this can be ranked as the second trait. This is the vision for future.
3. Competency : competency is ranked as third trait people likes to follow someone who is competent. Here the leader should demonstrate competency. That means good in facing any kind of problem, take better decisions and in less time which are efficient and effective.
4. Inspire: this is ranked to the fourth place. Leader should inspire others with his good deeds and nature and actions because people by looking at the leader follow many things. Learning to be inspiring is not easy.
5. Intelligence : intelligence is something which is very difficult to develop. To develop intelligence means you need to get committed to a continuous learning process.