As a thought experiment, I asked 10 of my closest relationships about a leader they most admired and the inspiration that causes them to follow him or her. The names Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Richard Branson were frequent, and the words visionary, innovative, courageous and trustworthy were the adjectives that frequently described these once in a lifetime leaders. To me, leadership has always been a relationship between the leader and his followers. And as human beings, and entrepreneurs in particular, we’re naturally drawn toward leaders with grand visions and the courageous attitude to do what others see as impossible. Those leaders serve many purposes for their followers, but none more important than the need to belong. And although belonging is the most basic of human needs, few leaders align their priorities to make others feel special. In her latest book – Leading So People Will Follow – Erika Anderson equips aspiring leaders with a blueprint to exponentially improve your effectiveness. She starts by sharing the six attributes of a leader we’re most likely to follow and then tells you how to develop those attributes in yourself. So are you farsighted, passionate, courageous, wise, generous and trustworthy? If not, here’s how you can start to develop them…..
