Dating as far back as the biblical times, there were men who took charge of the welfare of their people. Many even went far to become rulers of nations, lands and vast territories. Or they became figures of authority that people followed and looked up to. They are kings, emperors, military men, prophets, and anyone that wields great influence over hundreds and thousands of people. They’re considered leaders – people with vested power and who have gained a certain level of respect among their followers and subordinates, as well as their peers. 

True leaders in the traditional sense are not rulers, because rulers tend to control and dominate people, while leaders normally and naturally inspire and motivate people to greater heights. By instinct, true leaders essentially make others rise by training and molding their followers to one day become leaders themselves.

In the modern corporate world and in many sectors of society, leaders are chosen and appointed by virtue of many tangible and intangible factors. In an imperfect world, there are good leaders and there are bad leaders. It doesn’t take a genius to characterize and distinguish an excellent leader from a run-of-the-mill type. Some leaders are adored and even worshiped. Some are feared and despised. Some are amazing, while others are plain lousy or bordering on obnoxious. 

Because so-called leaders are products of different backgrounds, personal upbringing, belief systems, as well as being owners of various life and occupational experiences and dissimilar personalities, there are expected differences in the social, emotional and psychological stability between them and their constituents or followers.

But great leaders stand out. 

Whether from the ranks of the military, law enforcement, civil society, businessmen, corporate bigwigs, political parties, the academe, healthcare, or merely among one’s circle of friends, great leaders have that luster or sparkle in them that is apparent even in a crowded room, so to speak. It may be an oversimplification, but, nevertheless, agreeable. 

Today, almost anyone can play the role of a leader (or at least some Gen Z kids’ version of what they consider a leader) in social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and, well, even Reddit) just by being influential, popular and having hundreds of thousands or even millions of followers. It has become a numbers game for self-importance and profit. That being said, there are certain traits that great leaders share which anyone would be hard-pressed to deny. From an objective viewpoint, it takes a set of combined inner qualities for a person to be considered a genuine leader: Charismatic, Disciplined, Protective, Realist, Pragmatic, and Great Personality.

1. CHARISMATIC

Being charismatic is something that comes naturally as someone’s physical appearance or looks. You know, you’re either attractive, unpleasant, ugly or somewhere in between. But you can always do everything you can to look your best. Great leaders ooze undeniable charisma. Similar to looks, you can always improve your degree of charisma but only up to a certain point. You either have lots of it naturally or you don’t. Being charismatic means having the tendency to inspire people because there’s something always right about you. They call it the “It” factor. The most famous leaders in the history of mankind are all charismatic people. Even the worst ones.

2. DISCIPLINED

Discipline may seem like an overused word in our modern times and there’s a reason for it. It’s a somewhat elusive trait that people associate with tenacity of character along with a positive attitude. Without discipline you can’t be an effective leader. Discipline equates to consistency in doing the right things at the right time and when needed most. It is what makes people function like the Terminator, minus the killings, of course. They just do what they have to do and people are naturally inspired by that.

3. PROTECTIVE

True leaders never turn their backs on their people without a compelling reason. They will always have your back and ready to defend you from any form of threat - domestic or otherwise. That’s classic loyalty that in turn will earn the loyalty of the people that serve them. Great leaders don’t underestimate the virtue of respect and would even treat their subordinates as comrades.

4. REALIST

Effective leaders are not necessarily optimists or positive thinkers. More likely, they are realists. They don’t pretend or fantasize that some existing problem will eventually turn out right when it’s not likely to. They don’t rely on a hunch or on some mildly twisted belief in fate. They face and deal with challenges with an emphatic sense of realism and without any loose or distorted view of what might be or what might be not. As what people who are proponents of this way of thinking normally blurt out, “It is what it is.”

5. PRAGMATIC

Being pragmatic is essentially a way of not relying on ideas that have not been tried and tested and applied in the real world. It’s being practical and always doing things in a sensible way. Great leaders possess this quality in such a way that they view things from a non-theoretical framework. They tend to think fast and do things fast because they are practical people with practical mindsets. It’s an invaluable asset.

6. GREAT PERSONALITY

You don’t need to be charismatic to have a great personality, although having a great personality would surely add to your charisma. Excellent leaders normally have great personalities. It’s hard to imagine a leader who doesn’t smile, avoids conversation and is rude. To have a great personality is to possess a certain charm that is valuable to any person wanting to become like Captain America with the self-effacing appeal of a seasoned motivational speaker. So, keep smiling, have an engaging personality, and treat people right. You just might become the next great leader that future generations would happily converse about in coffee shops and restaurants.

May these qualities of a true leader inspire you to be one, or at least become a better version of yourself.