Motivation Monday Leadership starts with YOU

Motivation Monday Leadership starts with YOU Leadership:   It starts with YOU Being a good leader of ones self is equally as important as being a good leader of others. Typically, people who havent been official leaders dont see their leadership skills, but they are there.   As you embark on a new week, think about how you can practice and embrace qualities of great leaders in your daily routine. Here are the 12 Most Attractive Qualities of A Great Leader from one of my new favorite sites, 12Most. 12 Most Attractive Qualities of A Great Leader Posted by Shennandoah Diaz on Sep 6, 2011 Great leaders are a rare breed. Many would argue that some people are natural born leaders.  However, I believe that becoming a great leader takes commitment and effort. Becoming a great leader isn’t about charisma or chance.  It’s about developing the skills necessary to lead, motivate, and influence people in good and bad times. Although there are many skills that make someone a leader, here are twelve key traits that make a person a great leader. 1. They’re lifelong learners Great leaders never stop learning about their industry, themselves, their team, and how to best motivate their people. They realize that there is never a point when you “know it all.” There is always something new to learn. 2. They listen Great leaders understand the 2:1 ratioâ€"two ears and one mouth. Leaders don’t just bark orders. They listen to their team, their customers, their peers, and their competitors because they know it is the best way to understand a situation so they can make the best decision possible. 3. They accept and validate input Great leaders don’t operate in a vacuum assuming that they always know best.  They know to consider input from everyone impacted by a decision in order to get buy-in from their team, stay grounded and remain objective. Although they retain final say, they’re team will stand behind the decision knowing that they’re input was wholeheartedly weighed and considered. 4. They consider the past, present and future Great leaders understand where their organization has been, where it’s at, and where it’s going. They don’t only barrel forward, ignoring what’s happening now, nor do they ignore the lessons learned from past experiences. Instead they take a balanced approach so they can adjust, maintain, and move forward. To read the other 8 qualities, please visit the full post here. Shennandoah Diaz Shennandoah Diaz is the CEO and Master of Mayhem of Brass Knuckles Media, an uncensored PR Marketing firm catering to innovative, socially conscious experts and businesses. Diaz is the Rebel Leader of the Brass Knuckles Revolution, a movement teaching people how to live up to their potential while also doing something meaningful for others. She accomplishes this by teaching social entrepreneurship and mentoring people on how to build meaningful organizations through such outlets as Sharp Skirts, Next Fest, and Tech Ranch Austin. So heres what Im asking: During these transitional times (both globally and personally), what we all need now are better leaders!   We each have a role to play and therefore, my challenge to you this week is BE A GREAT LEADER!