How to become a leader: Step 1

Thousands of books have been written on this, so I won't write them all again here. There is no simple procedure to follow. Except for the first step.

The first step is to learn personal integrity. Integrity, in this sense, is all the personal qualities that people respect. It includes things like your personal example, trustworthiness, credibility, reliability, honesty, willingness to take responsibility, and willingness to work hard. It is the most decisive factor, and nobody will be in long-term leadership without it.

Leadership is first of all about you as a person and your example. It is not primarily about the followers, power, or authority. Leadership is not just what you do. Some cultures give respect on the basis of position, but others expect you to earn respect. Consider these quotes:

• Leadership is a combination of character and strategy. And if you must be without one, be without strategy. (Attributed to Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf.)
• Respect has to be sought and won every day. It is not a given. (Gen. Peter Cosgrove, ABC radio interview, 2006.)
• Young students come to me and ask, 'People don't respect me as a leader. How do I command more respect?' So I tell them, 'You can't control how much they respect you. But you can set a good example, and respect will follow.' (Jeff Gullesson.)
• Respect is slow to win but you can lose it in seconds. You can blow away three months of respect-building by losing your temper just once for a moment.

Seek and take opportunities to learn and grow as a person, especially in the difficult times. Leadership is not about already knowing everything, it's about being willing to learn.

Ask these leading questions. If you can answer them well, you will probably write your own set of principles for becoming a leader.

1. Why should people trust you as a person?
2. Think of someone you respect. What personal characteristics do they have that engenders your respect?
3. Think of someone you don't respect. What personal characteristics detracts from your respect?
4. What should be your goals to become a leader?
5. What is the difference between leading people and bossing people?