RESOURCES
31 characteristics of leadership
by andrew carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
"From my own experience with men I have observed that successful leaders in all walks of life exemplify one or more of thirty or more traits of leadership and in some instances they possess all of these traits. All of these qualities are capable of development and application by any person of average intelligence."
1. THE ADOPTION OF A DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE AND A DEFINITE PLAN FOR ATTAINING IT.
2. THE CHOICE OF A MOTIVE ADEQUATE TO INSPIRE CONTINUOUS ACTION IN PURSUIT OF THE OBJECT OF ONE’S MAJOR PURPOSE.
Nothing great is ever achieved without a definite motive.
3. A MASTERMIND ALLIANCE THROUGH WHICH TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY POWER FOR NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT THAT WHICH ONE MAN CAN ACCOMPLISH BY HIS OWN EFFORTS IS NEGLIGIBLE.
Great achievement is always a result of the coordination of minds working toward a definite end.
4. SELF RELIANCE IN PROPORTION TO THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF ONE’S MAJOR PURPOSE.
No one can go very far without relying largely upon his own efforts, his own initiative, and his own judgments.
5. SELF DISCIPLINE SUFFICIENT TO GIVE ONE MASTERY OVER BOTH THE HEAD AND THE HEART.
The man who cannot or will not control himself can never control others. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is so important that it should probably have headed the entire list of the essentials of leadership.
6. PERSISTENCE BASED ON A WILL TO WIN.
Most men are good starters but poor finishers. The man who gives up at the first signs of opposition never goes very far in any undertaking.
7. A WELL-DEVELOPED FACULTY OF IMAGINATION.
Able leaders must be seeking new and better ways of doing things. They must be on the lookout for new ideas and new opportunities to obtain the object of their labors. The man who trails along in the old path doing things merely because others have done them without looking for methods of improvement never becomes a great leader.
8. THE HABIT OF MAKING DEFINITE AND PROMPT DECISIONS AT ALL TIMES.
The man who cannot or will not make up his own mind has little opportunity to induce others to follow him.
9. THE HABIT OF BASING OPINIONS ON KNOWN FACTS INSTEAD OF RELYING ON GUESSWORK OR HEARSAY EVIDENCE.
Able leaders take nothing for granted without a sound reason. They make it their business to get the facts before forming judgments. But they move promptly and definitely.
10. THE CAPACITY TO GENERATE ENTHUSIASM AT WILL AND DIRECT IT TO A DEFINITE END.
Uncontrolled enthusiasm may be as detrimental as no enthusiasm. Moreover enthusiasm is contagious as is also lack of enthusiasm. Followers and subordinates take on the enthusiasm of their leader.
11. A KEEN SENSE OF FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
The habit of playing favorites is destructive to leadership. Men respond best to those who deal with them justly and especially where they are dealt with fairly by men in higher positions of authority.
12. TOLERANCE AND AN OPEN MIND ON ALL SUBJECTS AT ALL TIMES.
The man with a closed mind does not inspire the confidence of his associates. Without confidence great leadership is impossible.
13. THE HABIT OF GOING THE EXTRA MILE.
Doing more than one is paid for and doing it with a positive, agreeable attitude. This habit on the part of a leader inspires unselfishness on the part of his followers or subordinates. I have never known an able leader in business or industry who did not endeavor at all times to render more service than any man under his authority.
14. TACTFULNESS AND A KEEN SENSE OF DIPLOMACY BOTH IN SPIRIT AND IN DEED.
In a free democracy such as ours men do not take kindly to briskness in their relationships with others.
15. THE HABIT OF LISTENING MUCH AND TALKING LITTLE.
Most people talk too much and say too little. The leader who knows his business knows the value of hearing other men’s views. Perhaps we are equipped with two ears, two eyes, and only one tongue that we may hear and see twice as much as we speak.
16. AN OBSERVING NATURE.
The habit of noting small details. All business is a composite of details. The man who does not become familiar with all the details of the work for which he and his subordinates are responsible will not be a successful leader. Moreover knowledge of small details is essential for promotion.
17. DETERMINATION
Recognition of the fact that temporary defeat needs not be accepted as permanent failure. All men occasionally meet with defeat in one form or another. A successful leader learns from defeat but he never uses it as excuse for not trying again. The ability to accept and carry responsibilities is among the more profitable accomplishments. It is the major need of all industry and business. It pays higher dividends when one assumes responsibility without being required to do so.
18. THE CAPACITY TO STAND CRITICISM WITHOUT RESENTMENT.
The man who flares up with resentment when his work is criticized will never become a successful leader. Real leaders can take it and they make it their business to do so. Bigness overlooks the smallness of criticism and carries on.
19. TEMPERANCE IN EATING, DRINKING, AND ALL SOCIAL HABITS.
The man who has no control over his appetites will have very little control over other people.
20. LOYALTY TO ALL TO WHOM LOYALTY IS DUE.
Loyalty begins with loyalty to one’s self. It extends to ones associates in business. Disloyalty breeds contempt. No one can succeed that bites the hand that feeds him.
21. FRANKNESS WITH THOSE WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO IT.
Subterfuge, which misleads is a poor crutch to lean upon and it is one that able leaders do not use.
22. FAMILIARITY WITH THE 9 BASIC MOTIVES WHICH ACTUATE MEN.
These motives are:
i. Emotion of Love
ii. Emotion of Sex
iii. Desire for financial gain
iv. Desire for self preservation
v. Desire for freedom of body and mind
vi. Desire for self expression
vii. Desire for perpetuation of life after death
viii. Emotion of anger
ix. Emotion of fear
The man who does not understand the natural motives to which men respond will not be a successful leader.
23. SUFFICIENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF PERSONALITY TO INDUCE VOLUNTARY COOPERATION FROM OTHERS.
Sound leadership is based upon effective leadership. The ability to be sympathetic and make oneself pleasing to others. *See the 31 qualities of Attractive Personality.
24. THE CAPACITY TO CONCENTRATE ONES ATTENTION ON ONE SUBJECT AT A TIME.
The jack-of-all-trades is seldom good at any. Concentrated effort gives one power that can be attained in no other way.
25. THE HABIT OF LEARNING FROM MISTAKES.
One’s own and the mistakes of others.
26. WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MISTAKES OF ONES SUBORDINATES WITHOUT TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK.
Nothing destroys ones capacity of leadership quicker than the habit of shifting responsibilities to others.
27. THE HABIT OF ADEQUATELY RECOGNIZING THE MERITS OF OTHERS.
Especially when they have done exceptionally good work. Men will often work harder for friendly recognition of their merits than they will for money alone. The successful leader goes out of his way to give credit to his subordinates. A pat on the back denotes confidence.
28. THE HABIT OF APPLYING THE GOLDEN RULE PRINCIPLE IN ALL HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.
The sermon on the mound remains a classic for all time as a sound rule for relationship. It inspires cooperation that can be had in no other way.
29. A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE AT ALL TIMES.
No one likes a grouchy, skeptical person who seems to be at outs with the world in general. Such a man will never become an able leader.
30. THE HABIT OF ASSUMING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH AND EVERY TASK ONE UNDERTAKES REGARDLESS OF WHO ACTUALLY DOES THE WORK.
Perhaps this quality of leadership should have headed the entire list and it would have if the qualities of successful leadership had been listed in the order of their importance.
31. A KEEN SENSE OF VALUES.
The ability to evaluate in the light of sound judgment without being guided by emotional factors. The habit of putting first things first.
*Taken from the book "Think Your Way to Wealth" by Napolean Hill.
1. THE ADOPTION OF A DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE AND A DEFINITE PLAN FOR ATTAINING IT.
2. THE CHOICE OF A MOTIVE ADEQUATE TO INSPIRE CONTINUOUS ACTION IN PURSUIT OF THE OBJECT OF ONE’S MAJOR PURPOSE.
Nothing great is ever achieved without a definite motive.
3. A MASTERMIND ALLIANCE THROUGH WHICH TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY POWER FOR NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT THAT WHICH ONE MAN CAN ACCOMPLISH BY HIS OWN EFFORTS IS NEGLIGIBLE.
Great achievement is always a result of the coordination of minds working toward a definite end.
4. SELF RELIANCE IN PROPORTION TO THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF ONE’S MAJOR PURPOSE.
No one can go very far without relying largely upon his own efforts, his own initiative, and his own judgments.
5. SELF DISCIPLINE SUFFICIENT TO GIVE ONE MASTERY OVER BOTH THE HEAD AND THE HEART.
The man who cannot or will not control himself can never control others. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is so important that it should probably have headed the entire list of the essentials of leadership.
6. PERSISTENCE BASED ON A WILL TO WIN.
Most men are good starters but poor finishers. The man who gives up at the first signs of opposition never goes very far in any undertaking.
7. A WELL-DEVELOPED FACULTY OF IMAGINATION.
Able leaders must be seeking new and better ways of doing things. They must be on the lookout for new ideas and new opportunities to obtain the object of their labors. The man who trails along in the old path doing things merely because others have done them without looking for methods of improvement never becomes a great leader.
8. THE HABIT OF MAKING DEFINITE AND PROMPT DECISIONS AT ALL TIMES.
The man who cannot or will not make up his own mind has little opportunity to induce others to follow him.
9. THE HABIT OF BASING OPINIONS ON KNOWN FACTS INSTEAD OF RELYING ON GUESSWORK OR HEARSAY EVIDENCE.
Able leaders take nothing for granted without a sound reason. They make it their business to get the facts before forming judgments. But they move promptly and definitely.
10. THE CAPACITY TO GENERATE ENTHUSIASM AT WILL AND DIRECT IT TO A DEFINITE END.
Uncontrolled enthusiasm may be as detrimental as no enthusiasm. Moreover enthusiasm is contagious as is also lack of enthusiasm. Followers and subordinates take on the enthusiasm of their leader.
11. A KEEN SENSE OF FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
The habit of playing favorites is destructive to leadership. Men respond best to those who deal with them justly and especially where they are dealt with fairly by men in higher positions of authority.
12. TOLERANCE AND AN OPEN MIND ON ALL SUBJECTS AT ALL TIMES.
The man with a closed mind does not inspire the confidence of his associates. Without confidence great leadership is impossible.
13. THE HABIT OF GOING THE EXTRA MILE.
Doing more than one is paid for and doing it with a positive, agreeable attitude. This habit on the part of a leader inspires unselfishness on the part of his followers or subordinates. I have never known an able leader in business or industry who did not endeavor at all times to render more service than any man under his authority.
14. TACTFULNESS AND A KEEN SENSE OF DIPLOMACY BOTH IN SPIRIT AND IN DEED.
In a free democracy such as ours men do not take kindly to briskness in their relationships with others.
15. THE HABIT OF LISTENING MUCH AND TALKING LITTLE.
Most people talk too much and say too little. The leader who knows his business knows the value of hearing other men’s views. Perhaps we are equipped with two ears, two eyes, and only one tongue that we may hear and see twice as much as we speak.
16. AN OBSERVING NATURE.
The habit of noting small details. All business is a composite of details. The man who does not become familiar with all the details of the work for which he and his subordinates are responsible will not be a successful leader. Moreover knowledge of small details is essential for promotion.
17. DETERMINATION
Recognition of the fact that temporary defeat needs not be accepted as permanent failure. All men occasionally meet with defeat in one form or another. A successful leader learns from defeat but he never uses it as excuse for not trying again. The ability to accept and carry responsibilities is among the more profitable accomplishments. It is the major need of all industry and business. It pays higher dividends when one assumes responsibility without being required to do so.
18. THE CAPACITY TO STAND CRITICISM WITHOUT RESENTMENT.
The man who flares up with resentment when his work is criticized will never become a successful leader. Real leaders can take it and they make it their business to do so. Bigness overlooks the smallness of criticism and carries on.
19. TEMPERANCE IN EATING, DRINKING, AND ALL SOCIAL HABITS.
The man who has no control over his appetites will have very little control over other people.
20. LOYALTY TO ALL TO WHOM LOYALTY IS DUE.
Loyalty begins with loyalty to one’s self. It extends to ones associates in business. Disloyalty breeds contempt. No one can succeed that bites the hand that feeds him.
21. FRANKNESS WITH THOSE WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO IT.
Subterfuge, which misleads is a poor crutch to lean upon and it is one that able leaders do not use.
22. FAMILIARITY WITH THE 9 BASIC MOTIVES WHICH ACTUATE MEN.
These motives are:
i. Emotion of Love
ii. Emotion of Sex
iii. Desire for financial gain
iv. Desire for self preservation
v. Desire for freedom of body and mind
vi. Desire for self expression
vii. Desire for perpetuation of life after death
viii. Emotion of anger
ix. Emotion of fear
The man who does not understand the natural motives to which men respond will not be a successful leader.
23. SUFFICIENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF PERSONALITY TO INDUCE VOLUNTARY COOPERATION FROM OTHERS.
Sound leadership is based upon effective leadership. The ability to be sympathetic and make oneself pleasing to others. *See the 31 qualities of Attractive Personality.
24. THE CAPACITY TO CONCENTRATE ONES ATTENTION ON ONE SUBJECT AT A TIME.
The jack-of-all-trades is seldom good at any. Concentrated effort gives one power that can be attained in no other way.
25. THE HABIT OF LEARNING FROM MISTAKES.
One’s own and the mistakes of others.
26. WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MISTAKES OF ONES SUBORDINATES WITHOUT TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK.
Nothing destroys ones capacity of leadership quicker than the habit of shifting responsibilities to others.
27. THE HABIT OF ADEQUATELY RECOGNIZING THE MERITS OF OTHERS.
Especially when they have done exceptionally good work. Men will often work harder for friendly recognition of their merits than they will for money alone. The successful leader goes out of his way to give credit to his subordinates. A pat on the back denotes confidence.
28. THE HABIT OF APPLYING THE GOLDEN RULE PRINCIPLE IN ALL HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.
The sermon on the mound remains a classic for all time as a sound rule for relationship. It inspires cooperation that can be had in no other way.
29. A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE AT ALL TIMES.
No one likes a grouchy, skeptical person who seems to be at outs with the world in general. Such a man will never become an able leader.
30. THE HABIT OF ASSUMING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH AND EVERY TASK ONE UNDERTAKES REGARDLESS OF WHO ACTUALLY DOES THE WORK.
Perhaps this quality of leadership should have headed the entire list and it would have if the qualities of successful leadership had been listed in the order of their importance.
31. A KEEN SENSE OF VALUES.
The ability to evaluate in the light of sound judgment without being guided by emotional factors. The habit of putting first things first.
*Taken from the book "Think Your Way to Wealth" by Napolean Hill.
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