Leadership is NOT Generic By: A.I.R. Avery Ranieri

Have you ever been writing a resume or applying to a position and been asked something like, “What are some of your qualities?” Typically, these common questions have common answers. For most people, leadership is one of the first that comes to mind. Although this is a safe and go-to, yet successful response, leadership itself is not so generic. To really awe that interviewer, you need to elaborate. An effective leader must also possess responsibility, drive, respect, and any of those other qualities you may have thought of. Effective leaders have a set vision and path to reach a goal, as goals without plans are just wishes. Of course, life will throw fastballs and setbacks, but a real leader is someone who can get back up for the bigger picture. Some roles of a leader that you can practice to improve that resume or even just your daily character include motivating yourself and others through challenging times, fostering a collaborative culture, and leading by example. Leadership is not just a character trait. It is an art; and although it is difficult to master, listening to yourself and others and treating your life with responsibility, drive, and respect is the perfect place to start.