I hear this question in two versions: “Can I be a leader? Am I a good leader, promising? And the second: “How to understand which of the employees is promising to develop into a leader?” or “We are hiring a new employee. Is he a good leader?
You can see a good leader. Even a novice good leader can be seen. There are even criteria by which you can understand whether it is worth raising a leader from a person or is it better to postpone it for now.
This is not about leadership experience and not about management techniques. This is all very important. However, there is a basic foundation that underlies success, leadership and leadership. And he «shines through» through a carefully constructed image and honed techniques. Or «does not shine through.» And here it becomes clear — what is the bar for this particular person.
The higher the bar, the stronger the foundation needed. What does it consist of?
I suggest looking at these aspects:
- Responsibility: takes or shifts? And at what level: only for yourself or for yourself, for others and for the cause?
- Facts and reality: living in reality or fantasy?
- Emotional stability: is he able to «take a hit» or is he overly worried?
- People: does he influence or is he influenced?
- Future: for what period of time can he think? Does he see different scenarios? What strategies does he use: those that work «here and now» or those that open up perspective?
- Outcome: looking for solutions or causes?
- Development: standing still, or growing professionally and personally?
And one more thing: is he able or not able to notice all these 7 points in other people?