1. UNWAVERING COURAGE based upon knowledge of self,
and of one’s occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a
leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent
follower will be dominated by such a leader very long.
2. SELF-CONTROL. The man who cannot control himself,
can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for
one’s followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.
3. A KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE. Without a sense of
fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the
respect of his followers.
4. DEFINITENESS OF DECISION. The man who wavers in
his decisions, shows that he is not sure of himself. He cannot
lead others successfully.
5. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS. The successful leader must
plan his work, and work his plan. A leader who moves by
guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a
ship without a rudder. Sooner or later he will land on the rocks.
6. THE HABIT OF DOING MORE THAN PAID FOR. One of
the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness, upon
the part of the leader, to do more than he requires of his
followers.
7. A PLEASING PERSONALITY. No slovenly, careless
person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for
respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade
high on all of the factors of a Pleasing Personality.
8. SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING. The successful
leader must be in sympathy with his followers. Moreover, he
must understand them and their problems.
9. MASTERY OF DETAIL. Successful leadership calls for
mastery of details of the leader’s position.
10. WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY.
The successful leader must be willing to assume
responsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of his
followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not
remain the leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake, and
shows himself incompetent, the leader must consider that it is
he who failed.
11. COOPERATION. The successful leader must
understand, and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be
able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for
POWER, and power calls for COOPERATION.
