The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. ~Kenneth Blanchard


Effective leadership begins with you, the leader, manager, president, CEO, etc. Whichever role you play as a leader the ability to be a successful leader is crucial.

How can you be an effective leader? As an effective leader you must be capable of producing an environment conducive to creating effective employees, independent contractors, etc.


The ‘team’ (I like to refer to your people as a team because this refers to a joint effort and no one is acting or working alone) needs to be assured that ‘you’ the ‘leader’ will be available and open to communication. The team needs to be able to trust you and you must earn and keep their respect.


To receive the respect of your team you must prove yourself by working just as hard, if not harder, than your team. You must be ethical, moral, and above reproach at all times. Treat your team with dignity and respect and they will do likewise to you.


If you can create an open and honest line of communication, work hard, and always act ethically, morally, and have that respect in place. Then your team will not only be willing to work more effectively for you, but they will give you 110% and produce favorable results while truly enjoying their working experience.


Of course there will be times when you need to discuss a not so pleasant incident. However, you can usually come away with no unpleasant feelings if you deal fairly, openly, and honestly with your team member.

In these situations always be direct, but delicate. Do not beat around the bush, but do not lay down the hammer either. Human beings have fragile egos and can become easily offended. You do not have to treat them like babies either. Just be direct and honest with a since of decorum, and allow for open communications. Hear what they have to say and consider this before drawing a conclusion to the situation.


If you can do these things when dealing with an incident you and your team member will both walk away with a sense of reparation, and your team member will feel as if you value(d) them as both a team member and a person.


In conclusion traits of an effective leader are intelligence, adjustability, assertiveness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, honesty, integrity, really great business and personal ethics and morals. A successful leader is also a good follower, takes directions and criticism’s well, and always admits when they are wrong.


I hope you found this useful and informative. Please add your comments and tell me what you think makes an effective leader.