Monday, April 4, 2011

What makes a true leader? Three requirements for true leadership

by Plinio Correa de Oliveira

A Leader’s Intellectual Requisites

The exercise of authority requires certain qualities. In the first place, the leader must have a clear and firm notion of the objective and the common good of the group he directs. Then he needs a lucid knowledge of the means and procedures to attain this good.

File:CrusadeLeaders.jpg

These intellectual qualities, however, do not suffice.

The leader must also be able to communicate his knowledge and, as much as possible, persuade those who differ.

However broad his powers, however drastic the penalties imposed on those who disobey, however honorable and generous the rewards conferred on those who do obey, these factors are not enough for the leader to make himself obeyed.

A profound and stable consensus must exist between a leader and his subordinates regarding his objectives and methods. His
subordinates must have earnest confidence in his capacity to employ these methods correctly and achieve these goals, all in view of attaining the common good.

See the complete essay here:

http://www.tfp.org/magazines/crusade_mag_vol_110.pdf

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