I find it much easier to follow someone when I WANT to be there. The leader of the group, boss, etc. makes everyone feel like they are not just needed but wanted.
A leader will respect those in the group (or whatever); but not just the person, but what they bring to the table – their various skills…and that includes what’s in their brain!
I cannot count the number of times I have been a part of a group and the members, including the leader, simply pretended to want me there and seldom if ever listened to what I had to say. This to me is far from a leader.
And then there’s the leader who listens and gives you the reasons why it won’t work or isn’t a good idea and then later does exactly what you said!
Leaders also lead by example; they don’t just sit around watching others do the job, only to take all the credit later; they DO and work alongside the rest of the group.
While he was president, Jimmy Carter was not looked upon favourably; but later in life, he led by example…he spent a great deal of time practicing the faith he believed by building houses, working to help those in need. A true leader!
But, the leader has to be someone the others in the group can turn to for help and advice. And most importantly, also be respected and taken seriously. It doesn’t matter how good of a leader the person may be, if the members of the group see them as something to be slighted, belittled, and ridiculed; their leadership is lost. It may be a cliche’, outdated, and stereotypical but women leaders often have difficulty earning the respect of the men they lead (boss) no matter how competent she is; simply because she is a female. A man would much rather follow a man who is an incompetent fool than a competent female.