Serving as a leader?  Here are four qualities of leaders that I admire:

INFLUENTIAL. Others listen to your ideas. You have the ability to shift people’s opinions, at least to encourage others to consider new possibilities. Your colleagues hold a positive regard for your position, and copy your actions. 

Emotionally connected. You understand other’s feelings. You understand your own emotional climate, and act authentically with what you feel. Somehow, you are able to transfer your emotional experience. The connection has a positive feeling for most of the people you know.

A positive view of the future. You have a view of a better world, and you understand how to take people there. You talk and write about this positive view, and others begin to share your ideas. Your business or professional life serves this positive view. Your positive view is felt to be deep, based on life-changing reflection and work. You help other people feel that their work is important too.

Challenge other people to grow. When you work with other people, they add new skills, and try new behaviors. You help people expand their potential to do greater work. Some of your followers start to act as leaders themselves. You create new leaders who share some of your views!

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Excerpted from Leaders In Transition, Chapter 1, to be released in the near future by Steve Broe.

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What will you be most proud of accomplishing in 2011?