Great leaders are often the product of various interconnected factors.

They have the empathy to relate with their subordinates and this characteristic allows them to be relatable and approachable—useful in a team dynamic, where openness and collaboration are vital.

Exceptional leaders also have wide-ranging vision to see the future of their company or partnership, with long-term, achievable goals that show marked progression. This gives great leaders the ability to dream big—but realistically, leading to attainable achievements.

Complementing this is the capacity of a great leader to inspire.

A solid vision is not enough if the leader alone is the only one working toward it. They are able to communicate their vision to such an extent that others are willing to work towards that vision as well.

Being a leader may not be as easy as it seems.

It takes a lot to become a successful leader. And as Napolean Bonaparte said:

"A leader is a dealer in hope"

Your leadership qualities, and the ability to be a dealer in hope, play a huge role in the development of your career.

Technical skills are definitely essential, but soft skills are equally important in order to achieve long-term success in the world of employment opportunities. Leadership qualities are very much required, especially in the corporate world.

It is more likely that you will be promoted if you have leadership qualities with the power to motivate people because very few people are born with natural leadership qualities. 

Here are some of the tips that can help make you a better leader:

There is no question, being a leader demands a lot from the brain.

The better your ability to think clearly, analyze options, and remember details, the better you will be able to lead. This ability applies whether you are leading an established team, your family, or starting a new business.

With leadership comes responsibility and with responsibility comes many demands on our time.

Making time to work out is not easy and tends to be sacrificed. In addition, eating healthy requires time to plan and prepare our meals, another time consuming activity in an already hectic schedule.

The result; we don’t exercise and we eat food of poor quality on the run...

As a leader, are you delegating or abdicating?

Would you say you are delegating work effectively or are you just getting it off your desk and letting your colleagues take the ‘rap’ if it goes wrong?

If you are interested in learning the leadership skills needed for increasing the capacity and productivity of your team, read the following 3 tips for delegating correctly.

Most leaders are comfortable working with people—after all, that’s the focus of leadership.

Likewise, many are adept at communicating to large groups and explaining concepts in an engaging manner.

Communication is one of the foundations of effective leadership.

So, if you’re trying to advance your career, public speaking is one way to establish your personal brand and enhance your credibility.

I’m writing this on the 1st anniversary of the first article I ever had published here on “About Leaders”.

That article, about an accidental teacher named Mustafa who encouraged me to “never let people live rent free in your head” has turned into a TEDx talk and become a staple of my presentations all over the world.

I thought it fitting today to share a few more of Mustafa’s lessons from that day in the desert.

It is unfortunate in itself that the disability community at-large has found it fitting to use the word “inclusion” when referring to our beloved children, siblings, parents or friends with disabilities.

The term inclusion in itself is deceiving.

So I have given much thought to the moments when I read about employers that do the bare minimum to engage persons with disabilities. The truth is, I cannot blame them. For they are doing nothing less than complying with the very proposition that the term inclusion suggests:

Include. Rather than engage, support, or invest in - just simply, include.

The main criteria for someone to move up in a company is to be a strong leader.

Strength in the workplace can sometimes be misunderstood as being domineering or just ordering people around. That is far from the truth.

If a person wants to be a strong leader in their workplace, there are some steps to take that can help them gain that objective. Some leadership skills can be natural, but many can be learned.

Over a decade ago, upon the recommendation of a friend, I read the book Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the box (Arbinger Institute).

From the title, I thought I was in for an intense course of study, but comforted somewhat by the fact it was a small book.

One night before bed I picked up the book and started reading it. I was so entranced by its style and holding me in suspense that I didn’t put it down until I passed out a 2am. I finished it the next night.

How many leaders can you name who have published a book?

With barriers to entry reduced dramatically by on-demand electronic publishing, establishing your credibility by becoming a published author is simpler than ever. Even celebrities, from Paris Hilton to Donald Trump, have done it.

But how can publishing a book further your career and credibility?