Leadership isn’t about a job title.  It’s an individual’s ability to influence outcomes and inspire others.  There’s been much debate about whether a leader is born or made.  Research has shown that while we’re born with skills that help us portray ourselves as leaders, a vast majority of our ability to lead is developed during our lifetime.  This is great news for anyone seeking to become a stronger, more effective leader.

If you’re seeking to build your leadership skills in an expedited way, here are ten examples of leadership skills that you should focus on.

Ten Examples of Leadership Skills

1. Credibility.  When others deem you credible, they see you as trustworthy, responsible, reliable, predictable.  You can build your credibility by being mindful of your say-do gap – keeping the space between your actions and words as small as possible.
2. Confidence.  Confidence is an emotion.  When leaders are confident, they have a stronger belief in their ability and capabilities.  Their confidence is also conveyed in their decisions, inspiring others to believe in their abilities to achieve success.  Confidence can be built by focusing on your self-talk – the words you say to yourself when you’re challenged.  As Henry Ford has said, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”
3. Character.  A leader’s character is the manifestation of their values.  It’s important for any leader, at any stage of their life, to reflect upon what matters most to them and ensure these qualities are both active and present in their life so that they live up to their own expectations of themselves.  
4. Service-Based Perspective.  A strong leader is able to transform a group of individuals into a team.  To do so, leaders have to adopt a service-based mindset.  Meaning, they have to prioritize others and meet their needs in a selfless way.  Small acts of service, taken on behalf of others, makes them feel committed, respected, and – over time – strengthens their loyalty.
5. Accountability.  A leader is responsible for all they’ve done … and all they fail to do.  Accountability is owning all mistakes, missteps, and failures, even if you weren’t the originator of the problem.  A small dose of accountability helps inspire a results-oriented, blame-free environment.
6. Authenticity.  Leaders are their best versions of themselves.  It’s impossible to be someone else … a leader has to know their strengths, their weaknesses, and be open to gaining awareness of any blind spots that they have.  The result?  Someone who is comfortable in their own skin, which is inspiring.
7. Vision.  The best leaders know where they’re going.  A strong vision, even if it’s not entirely clear, serves as a North Star.  It’s motivating and, in times of confusion, can be a great reference point to get things back on track.  Without a vision, individuals spend time being busy, but not achieving progress.
8. Consistency.  A leader is predictable.  This is important for building trust.  When others see you as consistent in thought, word, and deed, they feel more comfortable approaching you.  Erratic leaders – those individuals who you never know what you’re going to get from them – erode trust in any organization.
9. Trust and Truth.  At the heart of any relationship is trust and truth.  The best leaders are relentless about achieving both.  To build trust, they’re trustworthy and extend trust.  To harness truth, they’re direct, tactful, and speak what’s on their heart and in their mind.
10. Composure.  Leaders often find themselves in stressful situations; in the midst of chaos, they don’t cave to their emotions.  They find calm that inspires calm in others.  They do this by being disciplined with their emotions, taking the time to respond … not react … to what they’re presented with.

These ten examples of leadership skills, when demonstrated, allow you to build your confidence in your ability to lead and, likewise, build up the confidence others have in you.

Discover More About Leadership Skills

To learn more about these leadership skills and leadership qualities, explore the rest of www.sparkslead.us to hear from the New York Times best-selling authors of the business book SPARK: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success.