In light of the various leadership theories discussed in the previous sections, the most important question to ask is what makes an effective political leader?
While there is no straightforward answer to this question, it can be deduced that some of the most effective political leaders exhibit a combination of the traits mentioned earlier and are able to situationally discern the correct leadership style to deploy at any given time. Let us now examine some of the characteristics that are common throughout the various leadership theories.
An effective political leader must be able to communicate their vision clearly to their team and convey the necessary strategy to accomplish the goal. Words have the power to motivate, thus making effective use of them leads to better results.
Honesty and Integrity are two main characteristics of a strong leader. It would be difficult to demand integrity from your supporters if you neglect such qualities. Leaders often excel whenthey remain steadfast on their basic principles and convictions, which is nearly impossible to dowithout ethics.
A leader should be capable of making the right decision at the right time, as they take actions that have a significant effect on the lives of others. A leader should think long and hard before taking a decision but must stand by it once the decision is made.
One of the most difficult tasks of a leader is to convince people to follow them. This is only achievable by providing a clear example that inspires others. If you excel in inspiring your colleagues, it becomes easier to organically grow a loyal following.
Focusing on core duties is vital for effective leadership, thus one must be able to empower and delegate tasks to your followers. Micromanaging your subordinates leads to a lack of trust on both ends and hinders leaders from channeling their energy on more critical tasks. A strong leader should be able to delegate different tasks among the subordinates based on their personal strengths, while providing them with all the tools needed to attain the target.
Influential leaders have intent and vision. Not only can they imagine the future, but they also express their dreams with their supporters. If their fans could see the larger picture, they could understand where they are headed. A strong leader discusses why they are going towards the path that they are heading and reveals the approach and course of action to accomplish the purpose.