What Makes a good leader? To begin with, leaders don't wait for other people to give them permission to do something. They just seem to get on with doing it. People who are leaders will accept full responsibility for any choices they may make.

They do not blame others for making poor choices but take responsibility for their failures. Leaders inspire others to follow them, no matter what - they encourage vision, they see greatness in others, they provide different perspectives and they let others believe they are part of the greatness.

Can anyone become a leader? Well, why not? Do we ask this question simply because those who we consider successful leaders are so strong, such visionaries, creators of change - people filled with strong passion, knowledge, commitment, dedication. Is it the greatness of these people that make us wonder if the average person can also be a leader?

You have to believe it

A leader is someone who helps others reach a goal or inspires change. Leadership is not just a matter of "Come and follow me." It requires different skills, talents, and traits for different situations.

How does one become a person who can lead others - this is not a manager whose role it is to "manage" a department, but a person who can lead a group of people to do better, to do more.

This person must have passion, be a forward thinker, a high sense of responsibility, willing to get up and do, be ready to believe in the vision and have the ability to motivate others. Leadership is about knowing where you are going and self-control. Leaders believe it before they see it.

People can choose to make huge strides in themselves by focusing on leadership abilities. We look to develop ourselves in other areas - well, development in leadership skills is much the same way. It has to be nurtured, developed, and encouraged to grow. It starts with learning to be disciplined within yourself and then moving outward to influence and move others around you.

Don't be like everyone else!

Here's a crucial defining trait of a leader: they do not follow like sheep trying to be one of the crowd! Success is elusive and it is rare, that's why we admire those who achieve it.

Being one of the crowd could mean ending up nowhere, not having a purpose or a dream. It really does take a lot of courage and inner strength to take a risk and be different from others. To be an individual. How exciting! How exhilarating! And also perhaps a little frightening and extremely difficult as well.

Take Ted Turner of CNN fame, for instance. He said: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way!" Was Turner like everyone else? No. He took control of his own destiny. He had a vision; he took the risk and look where he is today.

Some great leaders are people like Winston Churchill, Henry Ford, Margaret Thatcher, Thomas Jefferson, and Bill Gates. Their vision has affected thousands of people. Any time you are willing to share your energy with other people, it is possible that success will follow.

The problem though is that the notion of prosperity or success scares many people because they are afraid of the responsibility that comes with success.

Making it happen

How do we begin to even start on this path of leadership? Why not try doing what you say you will do, even if the odds are against you? When faced with problems and obstacles, learn from the experience and turn them into opportunities. Don't sit and complain about all the trials and tribulations you have faced, how everything is not going your way at work. Do something about it!

Until you're able to move forward you will never be able to believe in yourself and realise your dreams. Like other areas of self-improvement, it is not easy to encourage us to move forward, for our natural instinct is mediocrity. This is because it is so much simpler, it's easier.

It would be nice if we could all become leaders by simply following a few simple steps. But the path to true leadership requires finding our own way, not going in the direction taken by others. That will differ for each of us.

Becoming a leader

No matter what position you hold, having strong leadership skills is valuable. These are transferable skills and will help you to move through your career into a leadership role. It is critical to business survival to cultivate and enhance these skills at all levels.

Leaders are the ones willing to make huge sacrifices in time, money and family to achieve their goals. Risk is the price you pay for success. You must carry the burden and have the backbone to make decisions that are not popular. Be internally directed, not "socially fit".

You'll never achieve wealth and success as long as you care what other people think of you. Leadership has a price, but it also offers tremendous rewards.

What skills are required?

To begin with, you need enthusiasm! This is contagious - if you are enthusiastic about your job, and complete it quickly and efficiently, then others will notice and will become just as enthusiastic!

Show optimism - negativity in the workplace can be highly destructive. A good leader will say: "Let's not say what is wrong, let's find the solution to make it right".

Be flexible, co-operative and creative. This will show your ability to adapt to change, work well in a team and develop new ideas while encouraging others to see, believe in and follow the dream.

A good leader also knows when, and how to delegate. Dedication is a critical skill - a leader is not a 9 to 5 person. Hire people who will complement your abilities... people who have skills you don't have will help you not only achieve, but exceed your goals.

Ask your peers for advice - ask how they have succeeded. Above all, stand by your staff - show them that you trust them and they in turn will not only be trustworthy but will also trust you.

As you develop and enhance your leadership skills you are now ready to share more - become a mentor. As you have learned along the way, share your knowledge with others and cultivate them; share and enjoy the celebrations of success in your team - you will inspire them; give back to the community - volunteer your time.

Finally, don't brag about your successes. People will know who you are, you will have proved that. Always be grateful for any acknowledgments but stay humble - the mark of a true leader.

Don't be afraid of rejection, or other people, of not being perfect or of even trying new things. If you want to be a great leader, learn to conquer your fears. And yes, if you do fail - accept it, learn from it, move on and try again, and again and again.

While the world continues to change, the traits of good leaders remain constant. The principles are timeless.

Once you learn how to liberate the leader within you, extraordinary things will happen.

CSB Employment Agency has been supporting the local business community with its services since 1987. For further information write to them at Vincenti Buildings, 14/19 Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08, call us on tel. 2122-5800, 2124-6543, fax 2123-0520, e-mail jobs@vacancycentre.com, or visit www.VacancyCentre.com.