The Heart of Leadership

Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow

Most books on leadership focus on core skills and competences that are essential to effective leadership. Yet we can all recognise the scenario where someone who is highly skilled and very good at their job is promoted to a leadership role - and then fails abjectly.

Why? Because, Miller says, leaders are different - and successful leadership is 10% skills and 90% character. Furthermore, the character markers of great leaders are very particular and not those you might expect, such as integrity and honesty. Yes, these matter, but are also commonly found within the wider population of an organisation. They are not the differentiators.

So what does make the difference?

Usually, when leaders fail to reach their full potential, according to Miller it is an issue of the heart. Leadership is not about what you do. It's about who you are becoming - and that starts with who you are on the inside. So Miller concludes that 'the heart of leadership is a matter of the heart'. And this is reflected in the five core character traits he identifies as common to successful leaders.

The 5 key character traits of a true leader

In the absence of these five specific character traits, Miller says that even the most polished skills will not make you a true leader. But a strong skill set combined with the cultivation of these inner attributes creates a leader others will want to follow.

• Think about others first - this is not about what you do, it's about what you feel.
• Expect the best - inspire optimism "The glass is ALL full! It's half full of air, and half full of water."
• Respond with courage - take action and optimise opportunities.
• Hunger for wisdom - commit to lifelong learning through being open and ready.
• Accept responsibility - be fully accountable for actions and outcomes—your own and your team's.

"Believe in your ability to create the future. That's what leaders do - that is our job. Understand reality but never be imprisoned by it. Reality is a moment in time. The future has not yet been written-it is written by leaders."