Introduction
Leadership is one of the essential personal factors for succeeding in the business or any other occupation. Improving leadership skills enables a person to career advancements and recognition. There are several personal qualities, which have been identified that a successful leader possesses. Following is a brief discussion on some of these traits.
Moral Courage
The courage to pursue those acts, which one believes to be correct even against severe criticisms, is the first quality that a leader should possess to be successful. This quality inspires the followers and makes the leader a great personality in the minds of the followers. Mahatma Gandhi is one of the great leaders who showed considerable moral courage to hold on to his policies and this made him a great person of the century. Consistency in showing courage is very important to garner success.
Judgment
Successful leaders develop the quality of making precise judgments through their interaction with other people and use of intelligence. By asking questions to several other people and listening to their answers, a leader develops the trait of making better judgments.
Sense of Priority
There will arise a large number of issues while managing a business and lead people. The successful leader normally prioritize the issues, brushes the minor issues and focuses on the major issues which needs an immediate solution. Leader will first attend to such issues that have a huge impact on the development of the business (Johnson).
Focus and Disposal
Staying focused is one of the important traits that a successful leader should develop. Efficient allocation of time and energy among various competing issues brings success to a leader. Conserving energy could help a leader to tackle serious issues with vigor and strength. Winston Churchill can be cited as an example, who possessed this exemplary trait of a successful leader.
Humor
Humor must have a place in the essential qualities of a successful leader. Lightness can always help to improve grim situations. Having a sense of humor does not indicate lack of professionalism on the part of the leader.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively is an important attribute to create a successful leader. On all occasions, the leader should be able to convey his ideas and directions precisely to the followers so that he can expect them to act in the way he wants them to act (Donadio).
Lessons Learned from the Failure of King/Drew Medical Center
The lack of leadership at the King/Drew Medical Center led to the failure to maintain the prescribed standards for getting accreditation for the medical center. This has also affected the funding for the medical center. The Medical Center lacked in providing better treatment to the patients since its inception. There were problems identified by the Federal authorities during inspection in several areas including nursing, quality control and hospital’s governing body.
This clearly shows the lack of leadership to coordinate important issues connected with the running of the medical center (Leonard). There were several professionals and physicians left the services of the hospital on their own volition or on disciplinary proceedings. This implies that there was no leadership to direct the functions of the medical center towards success. The lack of leadership in the hospital led to the termination of the Federal funding to the extent of $ 200 million and this forced the closure of the hospital. The large facility created to cater to the needs primarily for the black neighborhood could not be run successfully due to lack of leadership.
Works Cited
Donadio, Patric. Traits Successful Leader Possesses. 2005. Web.
Johnson, Paul. Five Marks of a Great Leader. 2005. Web.
Leonard, Jack. “King-Harbor Inspection Report Released.” News Paper Article. 2007.