Introduction to Leadership

and Personal Development

 What is Leadership?
• Leadership is the ability to move or
influence others toward achieving
individual or group goals.
• It is learned behavior than anyone can
improve by study and application.
• Every member of a group participated in
leadership when they contribute an idea.
• There is no limit to the number of leaders in
a group.
 What is Leadership?
• Given the opportunity for feedback and
practice, those with a desire and persistence
to lead can substantially improve their
abilities to do so.
• Leadership comes in many personality types.
• Leadership has a purpose and a goal, leaders
help others arrive at a better understanding
of themselves, others, and issues at hand.
 What is leadership?
• There can be no leadership without
someone willing to lead.
• The relationship is only successful if people
are willing to follow.
• Leadership is a group effort.
• Leadership is an action, the leader helps
others develop their own skills and share
knowledge with others.
 Myths About Leadership
• There is little knowledge about leadership.
• All leaders are born with unique qualities.
• Leaders make all of the group’s decisions.
• All leaders are popular, charismatic
individuals.
• To lead requires election or appointment.
• Leadership is a rare skill.
• Leaders control, direct, and produce.
• Leadership exists only at the top of an
organization.
 Famous Leadership Quotes
• “Few men are born leaders. Leadership is achieved
by ability, alertness, experience and keeping posted;
by willingness to accept responsibility; a knack for
getting along with people; an open mind and a head
that stays clear under stress.”
-E.F. Girard

• “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run
over if you just sit there.”
-Will Rogers
 More Leadership Quotes
• “Gumption is that stuff on the end of a coon
dog’s nose that lets him know which tree the
coon is in!”
-J.W. Fanning

• “Leadership is the courage to admit mistakes,

the vision to welcome change, the enthusiasm
to stay out of step when everyone else is
marching in the wrong direction.”
-Unknown
 Becoming a Good Leader
• To become a good leader:
– Study the qualities of good leaders and learn
from their mistakes.
– Analyze yourself, determine strengths and
weaknesses. Set goals for improvement.
– Learn to take direction.
– Learn about how groups function.
– Make a personal leadership plan and stick to it.
 Personal Leadership
• Personal leadership is the self-confident
ability to establish an exact direction for
your own life, commit to move in that
direction, and then act on what that goal
demands.
• Success in personal leadership is
determined by attitudes.
• Leaders know their strengths and have the
persistence to accomplish their goals.
 Personal Leadership Plan
• Step 1: Develop a Vision and Focus Your
Thinking.
– Vision is the ability to have a clear picture of your
goals.
– Vision provides direction, motivation, enthusiasm, a
sense of achievement, and fulfillment of one’s purpose.
• Step 2: Set Goals.
– Key to accomplishment.
– Should have goals in the following areas: physical,
family, social, financial, educational, ethic, and career.
 Personal Leadership Plan
• Step 3: Develop Initiative.
– Initiative is taking action and getting started.
– There are 3 types of people in the world: those who
make things happen, those who ask what’s
happening, and those who asked what happened.
– Focus on the positive and reach for your goals.
• Step 4: Develop Self-Confidence.
– The only way to do this is to expose yourself to risk
and press on through the challenges.
 Personal Leadership Plan
• Step 5: Develop Personal Responsibility.
– Must take responsibility for thoughts, actions,
and feelings.
– Leaders understand that this quality is essential.
• Step 6: Develop a Healthy Self-Image.
– Mental picture of the person we think we are.
– We never rise above the picture we create for
ourselves.
 Personal Leadership Plan
• Step 7: Develop Self-Organization.
– You must know what to do next in order to achieve
and leadership goals.
– TIPS: Write down everything, make a daily to-do
list, and utilize time management skills.
• Step 8: Eliminate Procrastination.
– Develop constructive habits to replace
procrastination.
– TIPS: Admit that you procrastinate, learn more
about it, choose a plan of action, carry out the plan
(don’t procrastinate with this!)
 Personal Leadership Plan
• Step 9: Study.
– Talking to successful people, researching,
observing your own leadership habits.
• Step 10: Magnify Your Strengths.
– Identify your own strengths.
– Use talents to your advantage.