| At one point or another, we have all been either a | | | | contagious... In any circumstance, a leader's positive |
| leader or a follower. While both roles are equally | | | | attitude will have greater impact and influence on their |
| important, a leader plays an instrumental role in | | | | followers. |
| providing direction for his/her followers. A good way to | | | | Motivation - In an athletic world, a motivating leader |
| identify an effective leader is to see if his/her followers | | | | could be a coach, trainer or even a fellow teammate. |
| are able to support and accomplish what their leader is | | | | While the "talent" of players is a good determinant of a |
| asking of their team. | | | | winning team, their coach is also an important factor. If |
| In order to be a great leader, one must possess | | | | a coach can not produce a winning team, his job is at |
| various qualities that will attract followers. The following | | | | stake. A coach's motivation involves infusing his |
| qualities are just of few of the many qualities that are | | | | players with high standards, and setting challenging but |
| vital for effective leadership. | | | | attainable goals as they perform well. Thus, his/her |
| Charisma - A notable charismatic leader was Martin | | | | ability to motivate his players will enhance their |
| Luther King, Jr. Decades after his death, King is still | | | | performances. Motivation also correlates with having a |
| honored today for his passionate movement towards | | | | positive attitude. When a coach has a positive attitude |
| equality. His most famous speech, "I have a dream," still | | | | and provides a positive environment for his players, |
| impacts a current generation as his powerful words | | | | then the team will most likely be motivated to move in |
| grace the majority of history textbooks all over | | | | his/her direction where ultimate success can be found. |
| America. His speech radiates personality because of | | | | Assertiveness - A leader has the responsibility to guide |
| his expressive words in his fight against inequality. Like | | | | the direction of his or her company. When a leader is |
| King's speech, charismatic leaders have the gift to | | | | firm and assertive in delegating tasks to his |
| touch people through their choice of words. | | | | subordinates, they will hold a greater respect to follow |
| Charismatic leaders are alluring, charming and can | | | | through on their assignments. An assertive leader has |
| encourage followers to support a grand vision or idea. | | | | the ability to convey enforcement without being too |
| Positive Attitude - A leader who possesses a positive | | | | autocratic or threatening to their subordinates. |
| attitude will influence his/her followers to carry that | | | | Furthermore, an assertive leader should not make his |
| same attitude. An example of a positive leader could | | | | subordinates feel like they're in a hostile environment. |
| be a parent or teacher. Mothers, fathers, or | | | | Instead, an assertive leader should respect his people, |
| elementary teachers appear and are viewed as role | | | | and require proper accountability at the same time. A |
| models to the young children they are teaching and | | | | leader's assertiveness and confidence earns respect. |
| nurturing. These role models are the first leaders they | | | | With that respect, people are much more likely to |
| encounter in life. Children become very dependent of | | | | follow, help, and emulate their leader to achieve |
| leaders because they are their vehicles to the outside | | | | success. |
| world and provide much needed help and assistance. If | | | | Leaders exude many qualities that make them |
| a parent is nurturing and loving to their child, they will | | | | effective and appreciated. These four qualities all |
| thrive under this encouragement... If a school teacher | | | | compliment each other in constructing a well-balanced |
| provides a positive learning experience to the child, | | | | leader. |
| they will succeed and that success will become | | | | |