Three Keys to Being a Successful Leader

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A huge part of a man’s attractiveness comes from his ability to lead.

Will Smith is one of the most respected and loved actors in the entertainment business, and a true leader in his field. The reason why he is so successful is because he has the most important traits that that all great leaders have.

In this article, I’ll talk about three of these most important traits. Let’s get to it.

1. Being a Great Decision Maker

The first and most important trait of a great leader is a high level of decision making skill.

Destiny is not a matter of chance. It’s a matter of choice. Or in other words, our reality is simply a result of the decisions we have made.

…Just DECIDE, what it’s going to be, who you’re going to be, and how you’re going to do it, just DECIDE, and then from that point, the universe is going to get out of your way, it’s like water…” – Will Smith

Are you someone that is good at making decisions throughout your day? Or do you keep delaying things that need to be settled, worked out, or acted upon?

I see so many guys who settle for just flowing with the crowd without taking the time to decide what they want, wondering why they are unhappy most of the time. And when it comes down to making decisions, they are busier thinking up excuses why they can’t do something, instead of trying to figure out how they can do it.

The man who isn’t constantly making important decisions in his life has no vision, and with no vision there aren’t strong goals, and without goals, there is no progress — only mediocrity at best.

When it comes to making an important decision, you should have no hesitation to get out a piece of paper and a pen, sit down with a cup of coffee, and spend however long it takes to work it out. It should be second nature.

When a man can lead himself in his personal goals, he can be an attractive leader in social situations and in business. When friends don’t know what to do or where to go, a leading man steps up and is the first to suggest something. At work, when everyone is waiting for orders from the boss, he thinks about the company’s most important objectives and takes the necessary steps to get everyone moving.

He shapes his reality by deciding what, why, and how things are going to happen.

“But what if you make the wrong choice or decision?”

Too many people are on the fence for way too long because they are afraid of making a bad decision. But the biggest mistake is always trying so hard not to make any.

It’s important to do as much of your homework before making an important decision, but it’s even more important to just launch and get things moving. Too many people get stuck trying to make sure everything is perfect before they take the first step. And people who never take the first step, never takes the second; getting no where near what they want.

Recently, I learned that a perfectly straight line does not exist in nature. Even if you put a straight line under a microscope, there are jagged edges that go in different directions. It’s only when you zoom out that it looks straight. Just like in nature, a straight line towards our desired destination does not exist either.

For example, when a pilot is flying a plane towards a destination, they never go in a straight line. They are constantly zigzagging onto and off the best course. The most successful leaders make the best choices they can with the information available to them, they LAUNCH AND GET GOING, and appropriately adjust their course as they go.

Is there any situation in your life right now that needs a decision? What have been holding off?

Today, try making all the necessary decisions you can before the day ends. Don’t leave anything to chance or delay any longer. Not only will you realize how many decisions you may be procrastinating on, but you’ll realize how much power is contained in a moment of choice.

2. Taking Full Responsibility

The second greatest trait a successful leader has is being able to take full responsibility for his choices.

A great leader always thinks about what the situation needs, not just his own selfish needs.

Many times our choices not only affect ourselves, but the people around us. When that’s the case we can’t wait for everyone to agree before we act. The best way to create results in this situation is to take full responsibility for whatever happens – especially if it involves lots of risk.

It’s hard to find great leaders today because nobody ever wants to be the one to blame if something goes wrong. The way we were raised by our parents and in school conditioned us to fear making mistakes and being rejected.

During stormy times, you have to be willing to steer the ship when nobody else wants to, or else you all might die.

So many necessary things that need to get done in our homes, businesses, and the world we live in aren’t getting done because people aren’t willing to step up to the plate.

It’s in our nature to want to feel safe and secure, but the only real security exists our ability to take action. One of the reasons why we’re the greatest species on earth is that we have no limit to what we can achieve. No matter what happens to us, we can do something to improve the situation.

It’s mostly the fear of failure that stops us in our track, but all of the most successful people I know have an unending list of “failures” under their belt. They wouldn’t be where they are, living their dream, if it wasn’t for all the “mistakes” and “failures” that happened along the way.

A great leader isn’t afraid to fail or make mistakes. And they don’t take what other people think of them too seriously either. They never act like a victim like most people do, blaming others or some outside condition when they are met with resistance.

They have confidence in the fact that if anything goes wrong – no matter what it is – they can quickly take action to improve the situation. This belief is what enables them to take full responsibility for what needs to get done. They lead themselves into action, take the load on their shoulders, and people inevitably follow.

3. Relentless Action Following Decisions

A lot of men are good at making decisions, and some even take full responsibility for their choices, but most quit at the first few signs of resistance.

The leading man consistently takes actions towards his goals until he achieves them.  He works and works, changing his approach when it’s not working, and works and works at it some more. He does whatever it takes to win.

… if we get on a treadmill together, either you’re getting off first, or I’m going to DIE trying…” – Will Smith

Countless studies have found that the most successful people are quick to make decisions and slow if ever to change them, where unsuccessful people are always slow to make decisions and quick to change them.

This sounds so simple but just look around and you’ll see so many people making a decision to do something and than quickly change their minds. And not because they found a better route, but because they gave up when it started to get a little uncomfortable or hard.

When successful leaders make choices, they do not RELENT. They’ll do whatever it takes to reach their goals, to live up to their decision.

It’s important to maintain integrity with yourself, and take massive action towards your decisions. For example, if you make a decision to go to the gym three times a week, it’s so important to honor your decision. The more you keep your word to yourself, the more power you will gain. To the point where if you say you’re going to do something, not only do you have complete confidence that you’ll do it, but others will trust you as well. This is monumentally important to becoming a great leader.

The most successful and attractive men out there, are those who can make the hard decisions, take full responsibility for their choices, and take relentless action towards their goals. They are respected in their line of work, are much more desirable by women, and loved by the people around them.

Every man has the choice to be a leading man. If you recognize that you need to work on one of these areas, quickly resolve to begin working on it today.

And don’t stop running. Stay relentless,

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGaotnDSuqA]

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