The 1 thing a great leader must posses

**SocialJeremy** · 09-20-2011 01:08 AM

There are many things that people would say a leader must posses:

Good communication
motivational
inspirational

The list goes on.

To me there is 1 single quality a leader must have to actually be considered a great leader.

People may consider themselves leaders, but chances are they're not.

What does a great leader posses? The ability to inspire people to follow him/her into battle, metaphorically speaking of course (A la Steve Jobs).

A person can have the best communication skills or a degree from an Ivy league school, but that doesn't mean they're good leaders.

If people don't want to follow you into battle, you're not a leader.

Discussion:

Who are some of the best leaders you've seen?

**Gary Barzel** · 09-22-2011 09:15 AM

I don't think you can put it into one thing to qualify someone to be a great leader. A great leader is just that, someone that has multiple qualities that make him stand above the crowd. Even if people will follow someone, if he doesn't have what it takes it'll end up being the blind leading the blind.

**SocialJeremy** · 09-22-2011 02:31 PM

Good points Gary, I do agree with you that leaders have multiple qualities that make them stand out. When I examine all the great leaders I notice one thing. They have that 'it' factor. That one thing that just draws people to them. That's what I meant by one thing a great leader possesses (even though I know that's not the ONLY thing they have to have).

**sellahremy** · 10-09-2011 01:02 AM

a leader must be able to see things for what they are. They must be a realist, practical, and logical

**classifacts** · 10-09-2011 01:36 AM

Aside from the exceptional communication skills, ability to inspire, to move and motivate people. Great leaders should always provide value to everyone's lives.

**mornpine** · 10-12-2011 01:23 AM

"Leaders are not what many people think – people with huge crowds following them. Leaders are people who go their own way without caring, or even looking to see whether anyone is following them." ~ John Holt

Question For Your Heart:
Are you caring too much about how many people are following?

**leejackson011** · 10-16-2011 12:58 PM

The only thing a leader must have to be a good leader is that he should know how to use his mind for the betterment and welfare of his public by feeling their needs in his own heart. This is the only statement that you can use for evaluation of your leader.

**batads** · 10-19-2011 01:25 AM

A great leader sees what others do not seem in themselves.

**Shirland** · 11-04-2011 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by SocialJeremy

Good points Gary, I do agree with you that leaders have multiple qualities that make them stand out. When I examine all the great leaders I notice one thing. They have that 'it' factor. That one thing that just draws people to them. That's what I meant by one thing a great leader possesses (even though I know that's not the ONLY thing they have to have).

The "it" factor is truly the one thing you can't explain but you know when a person has it. Your might have met that person many years ago and without looking them up you knew they did well in his or her endeavor. Micheal Jordan is one person with the "it" factor, just watching his play and his work ethics was the best.