The Qualities of Leadership

As a small business owner with a team building company, I frequently contemplate my leadership roll. Over the years I have had many employees, facilitators and even clients out at the ropes course who have looked at me as more than just a boss or the leader of a team building exercise. I become their mentor. While sometimes that leadership roll can feel overwhelming, I try to bear that honor graciously knowing that my leadership skills can help others which is a truly rewarding experience.

What makes a successful leader? In my opinion, it is the ability to empower others. "All for one and one for all" the cliché goes. A well functioning team like a sports team does its best when individuals
work together as a group instead of in isolation. And as I look around, I see more and more isolation in society. We isolate in our homes never knowing our next door neighbors. We isolate in our social life using Facebook to stay in touch with "friends" over phone calls or going out to lunch. And we can isolate at work staying in our cubicle or if we telecommute at our desk in the basement.

As a leader of many different groups, it is my responsibility to draw people out, get them to open up and shine. I was inspired by Deepak Chopra's book The Soul of Leadership: Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness . He uses the acronym L.E.A.D.E.R.S. to layout the skills he believes necessary for a successful leader. These are skills that I try to use every day at my ropes course to inspire people to come out of their shells, participate as a group and feel the power that a well function group of individuals can have.