What Do Leaders Really Need?

I decided to talk about leadership today, as there are always a lot of questions about leadership, and I have the experience to teach it. So, people wonder what leaders really need before they take on actual leadership. I've got some answers.

(Hope you're enjoying our three part series on product marketing. If you haven't checked it out, don't miss part 1 and part 2 so far.)

Many people are unsure how to make themselves ready for leadership, so here are a few prerequisites, maybe, that should be helpful to get you started on the right track. :)

1. You need to let people lead you before you are the leader. That's right. It's best to submit under another person's leadership, shadowing them, before you take a spot of leadership. What happens commonly in leadership, is that people enter into it without knowing necessarily how to lead. or haven't applied their skills they've learned in leadership.
   
   Many times, people take leadership classes in college or training institutes, but they don't get the experience in the field. It's best to have leadership experience under and actual, good leader. By being led first, you're not only learning how people apply leadership skills, you're also being humble enough to show you're not 100% ready.
   
   Once you've conjured up a passion to lead and to do it right, then step out into the field of leading people. You'll be glad you waited before stepping out in the field.
2. Having a genuine love for people is the right way to go. If you hate people (which can be a common thing for some managers), then it's going to be hard to trust, respect, and help people. Many times, hateful managers don't make good managers, because they destroy the culture and relationships of the workplace. Don't be a destroyer. Start loving people today! You'll be glad you did! :)
3. Start being a servant of people. Serving people, especially those you lead, is one of the greatest ways to create an awesome culture. People who're servants usually make more money, because people respect and adore the servant-leader trait they have.
   
   People want to be served, and being the one who serves them, shows you know how to be a leader.

People will generally know that you're a leader, because you're the one giving instructions, the one showing another how to do something, and the one who knows what he's talking about. But, don't think for a second that people want to be towered or looked down upon. Many leaders promoted themselves as the king or the one in charge. They have to be childish and say 'I'm the leader' or 'I'm the manager'. But, this isn't needed.

What is needed is a genuine, loving, servant heart ready to lead people. After you've gotten some good experience leading other people, you'll be ready to go. So, get out there and perform like a good and awesome leader. Don't take the bad path, and be an insecure, controlling leader.

Kudos to those that already follow these characteristics. You make me happy! Comment below at your courtesy. I'd love to discuss leadership.