Send to KindleA recent question got me thinking again about the first step in selecting future leaders: recognizing the raw potential. The questioner wanted some short thoughts on what to look for in potential new leaders. I generally dislike communicating in sound bites because they tend to provide just enough information to cause trouble. But, in this case I will make an exception. Here are five qualities to look for when selecting future leaders.
Does the person have integrity? A leader must be trustworthy.
Does the person communicate well? He or she doesn’t have to be a polished speaker or writer but should be able to get their point across clearly.
Does the person have a concern for other people? A leader who doesn’t care about other people will be a bad boss.
Does the person know themselves? A leader who doesn’t know his or her own strengths and weakness will be handicapped. That’s especially true because their subordinates will know these things.
Does the person have a clear sense of mission? How can a boss lead if he or she doesn’t really understand where they’re going?
Of course there’s a lot more to selecting future leaders, but this is certainly a good start.
