10 Traits to identify a promising person
- Leadership in the past. The best predictor of the future is the past.
- The capacity to create or catch vision. When I talk to people about the future, I want their eyes to light up. I want them to ask the right questions.
- A constructive spirit of discontent. Some people would call this criticism, but there’s a big difference in being constructively discontent and being critical. The unscratchable itch is always in the leader.
- Practical Ideas. Not everybody with practical ideas is a leader, of course, but leaders seem to be able to identify which are and which aren’t.
- A willingness to take responsibility. Leaders will bear work, for the feeling of contributing to other people is what leadership is all about.
- A completion factor. In the military, it is called “completed staff work.” The half-cooked meal isn’t what you want.
- Mental toughness. No one can lead without being criticized or without facing discouragement. I don’t want a mean leader; I don’t want a tough leader.
- Peer respect. Peer respect doesn’t reveal ability, but can show character and personality.
- Family respect. The family’s feelings toward someone reveal much about his or her potential to lead.
- A quality that makes people listen to them. Potential leaders have a “holding court” quality about them. When they speak, people listen.