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4 Qualities Every Student Leader Should Have

THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE®

Statistical analyses reveal that a leader’s behavior contributes more to a team’s commitment, loyalty, motivation, pride, and

productivity than any other variable.

So, what do people look for in a leader? What do people want from someone whose direction they’d be willing

to follow?

To follow someone willingly, the majority of people believe a leader must be:

• Honest • Forward-looking • Competent • Inspiring

This pattern holds across countries, cultures, ethnicities, organizational functions and

hierarchies, genders, levels of education, or age groups.

Be HONEST

If you don’t believe in the messenger, you won’t

believe the message.

Leaders can’t model the behavior they expect from

others if they aren’t honest, trustworthy, and highly credible.

Be FORWARD- LOOKING

Leaders are expected to have a point of view about the future and to articulate exciting possibilities.

This is what sets them apart from other credible individuals.

Be COMPETENT

When they’re performing at their peak, leaders are doing

more than just getting results.

Leaders look for opportunities and seize initiative, enhancing

the perception that they’re dynamic and capable.

Be INSPIRING

Leaders who recognize and celebrate significant

accomplishments forge positive energy, increasing others’

commitment to their vision and values.

Now that you know the traits that people look for in their

leaders, you can start to embody them in order to become an

exemplary leader.

www.studentleadershipchallenge.com

BECOME A BETTER LEADER TODAY

Adapted from The Student Leadership Challenge Student Leadership Planner: An Action Guide to Achieving Your Personal Best, copyright ©2006 by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. The Leadership Challenge®,

The Student Leadership Challenge®, and The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® are registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The associated icons are copyright ©2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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