(Identifying people around us with leadership potential is an ongoing task. Who is it that you develop into the next leader? I share the excerpt below from John Maxwell’s book, Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, to help answer that question.)

I want to share my list of criteria with you so that you too will be able to spot people with leadership potential, recruit them to your team, and begin developing them.

1. Leaders Are Catalysts
Every leader I’ve ever known has had the ability to make things happen. This is often how they first become recognized. When I see someone that can make things happen, it grabs my attention.

2. Leaders Are Influencers
Leadership is influence, so of course potential leaders must have the ability to influence other people. Influence is something that cannot be delegated. Every person who wants to lead must possess it, at least to some degree.

3. Leaders Are Relationship Builders
One thing that holds many talented and intelligent people back from being good leaders is a lack of people skills. Someone with weak people skills can become a reasonably good manager, because management is focused on systems and procedures. But nobody without good people skills can be a great leader.

4. Leaders Are Gatherers
Potential leaders have a quality about them whereby they are always “holding court”. Other people are attracted to them. They want to hear what they say. They like being around them because exciting things happen. When leaders speak, people listen.

5. Leaders Are Value Adders
That’s what all good leaders do – add value. They see their role as leader as a means to help others, not just themselves. They are givers, and they approach life very differently from takers.

6. Leaders Are Opportunists
Good leaders see and seize opportunities. They are continually on the lookout for ways to help their organization and advance their team. Leaders, by definition, are out front. They take new territory and others follow them. Great leaders don’t merely send others out. They lead the charge.

7. Leaders Are Finishers
Leaders don’t make excuses. They take responsibility, embrace opportunity, and follow through. They live up to their commitments and they can be counted on to finish. That’s what leaders do. They commit and follow through.

~Evolution of Self
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