What qualities define a natural leader ? - Historum

**PADDYBOY** · October 29th, 2012, 10:01 PM

What type of person would you be willing to follow. What qualities would they need to have ?

**Pacific_Victory** · October 29th, 2012, 10:04 PM

Decisiveness, charisma and most of all the ability to recognize when he is wrong and to take counsel from wiser men.

**tjadams** · October 29th, 2012, 10:07 PM

I think the person I would follow doesn't exist.
But, if I did, my perfect person would have to seem to me as:
Having a plan, believe in that plan, persuade me to follow that plan,
have a commitment to that plan, but,be willing to change that
plan if it appears it will not work. I would follow a person who
respected others and not hung up on power or abuse of that power.
I can easily smell a rat of a person as they over play their hand and
abuse power and lie. And lastly, I have to believe in their plan.

RoryOMore · October 29th, 2012, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PADDYBOY

What type of person would you be willing to follow.

Hmmm...someone like Violet Bick:

Violet Bick - YouTube

**Jake10** · October 29th, 2012, 10:29 PM

When I think of a good leader I think about an employer I had about ten years ago. He was good because he always put the well being of the company before everything else, and he didn't let his personal emotions or attachments get in the way of his decisions. If getting rid of his personal friend and keeping someone else benefitted the company, that's what he would do. It took a lot of courage to make some of the decisions he made, and he always encouraged opportunities for innovative individuals. It never seemed like he felt threatened by change, people or circumstances.

**PADDYBOY** · October 30th, 2012, 12:27 AM

What about loyalty to his/her followers then ? or is that a weakness...

**PADDYBOY** · October 30th, 2012, 01:12 AM

Bear in mind here folks, that I'm asking for the qualities which would be required for a natural leader as opposed to an appointed leader.

Imagine that you and thirty or so other people have been stranded on a desert island which has enough food to support you. Over the course of time, a leader will evolve. What qualities will this natural leader have that seperates him/her from the others.

Alternatively, if you are a politician and your voting for a new leader of your party ? again, what will be his/her strengths that win your vote.

On a more base level, you could also consider street gangs. Very rarely is the gang leader the biggest or toughest member of the gang. So how is he selected ?

**Rasta** · October 30th, 2012, 06:44 AM

Natural leaders command respect. This can be accomplished in many ways, with knowledge or expertise, leading by example, personality or people skills, or even by instilling fear.

One thing that is common to all though I would say is projecting confidence. People will gravitate towards and seek to emulate people that they respect.

**Naomasa298** · October 30th, 2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PADDYBOY

which has enough food to support you.

Darn, I was going to say the first person who suggests bashing Tim over the head and turning him into tonight's dinner.

**tjadams** · October 30th, 2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta

People will gravitate towards and seek to emulate people that they respect.

True and you cannot learn from someone you despise. The best boss
or even principal I've ever had were the ones who did not rule by
terror or intimidation.