At the end of this course, the student is to be able to identify and define and the qualities of good leader. Students are also expected to see themselves as leaders and identify their Leadership qualities.

The course begins by defining  leadership from the contemporay leadership authorities and lists some fo the core qualities of  a leader. It also lists examples of leaders and calls on the student to reflect and identify their own unique and personal leadership qualities and abilitites.

1. What is leadership?

Leadership according to John C. Maxwell is INFLUENCE. nothing more nothig less. The ability to influence a group of people, or even  single individual to take on a course of action, at a particular place and point in time is termed leadership. In this regard, leadership is not necessarily someone who is occupying a position, but somone who can get things done even without holding a particulalr position.

Secondly, Leadership involves Influencing people. you cannot say you are a leader if you are not influencing people. ie. you cannot lead in a vacum. there must be a leader and there must be a folower.

QUALITIES OF LEADER

The number one quality of a leader is vision. A leader must know where he is going, a vision of a destination, of a beautiful and glorious desitnation and then must be able and willing to carry others along with thim. in this regard, it means that a leader must have gone to the destination and seen the way and route to that destination and then be able to take others to the destination called the Vision and Direction. This is the number one quality of leaders

INTEGRITY

All leaders must have integrity. for people to agree to follow you, they must believe in you. and one cannot be dishonest and a liar and someone of poor integrity and still have people who believe in him. In some regards, such a person might deceive the people, but eventually, over time, he would be exposed and loose the trust and influence he has on others.

QUALITIES OF GOOD LEADERS

Competence and Capacity: the leader must be able to lead. he must know the way and lead the way and be able to carry others along the way. this underscores the importance of communication 

Just: a leader must be compassionate and have integrity. he must be true and always treat people fairly.

SKILL: Skill refers to know how. People tend to follow others who are better or stronger than them in specific areas. Leaders without quality skills might be unable and find it challenging to lead others who are superior to them in specific areas. This however does not mean that one cannot lead those who are more skillful in specific areas, it however means, that ones follwoers must be able to see and hav eregard for the leaders skill and competence in critical areas for them to willingly subject themsleves to anothers leadership.

EXAMPLES OF LEADERS
Nelson Mandela

Martin Luther king Jnr

Mother Theresa

REFLECTION

How have i relied less on coertion i.e. my position and power to enforce compliance to my wishes from others and how much have I observed others buy into my vision because they believe that I am capable and competent?

Question 1

what is leadership

Question 2

Mention two qalities of a leader

Quesion 3

Mention 3 atributes and characteristics of a good leader