10 Elements of effective leadership

1. They appreciate who they are
One of the mistakes a leader can make is try to act like someone else. A leader understands that he/she is a unique and original individual and cannot imitate another person.
2. They posses a positive attitude.
Attitude can be defined as the way you habitually think and react to life's situations/circumstances. It is everything and can do wonders in your life. It makes one person succeed and another fail. Difference between successful and less successful is because the successful ones have a lot of attitude and the other minimal or non existent. Effective leaders have a great deal of positive attitude. They are not shaken by circumstances or mishaps as they do not dwell on negatives. They always look on the bright side of life and they see something good in any misfortune.
3. They believe in themselves.
They have a firm belief in themselves and they value and regard themselves highly. If your are a leader and do not believe in yourself, how do you convince another person to believe in you.
4. Change is their way of life
In order to grow and develop, effective leaders put themselves in situations that are going to make them change and mature and keep on growing. They are not scared by change and in many circumstances, they initiate change.
5. They plan ahead
Effective leaders know where they are going. They have their goals and destiny defined long before they motivate others to follow.
6. They build relationships with quality people.
A leader influences people and is influenced by others. It is in this view, therefore, that a leader ought to network with people who are going to nurture and motivate him/her.
7. They are optimists
Optimism is one of the qualities of an effective leader. A leader needs to have a positive outlook towards life.
8. They do not take issues personally.
When disciplining a subordinate, a leader does not get personal or do it in front of others but rather finds an appropriate time and place to have a friendly chat with them.
9. They build the people they lead.
The greatness of a leader is not determined by the power he possesses but the ability to empower others. Many leaders want to be feared and revered but a leader who will win the peoples heart is the one who is keen on empowering them.
10. They love and respect the people they lead.
Without love and respect, a leader cannot be effective and all efforts to control or influence the followers many be in vain.