QUALITIES OF

A LEADER
SHEILLA D.S. HABAB, MA
St. Paul University Manila
Introduction
Strong leadership is regarded as one of
the best predictors of organizational
success and critical human capital
required for career progression in almost
every organization.

Leadership is also a highly complex and

often misunderstood phenomenon. It is
hard to define, but we all know bad
leadership when we see it.
● Leadership is an aspect of power,
but it is also a separate and vital
process in itself.

● There is no recipe for great

leadership

● Sometimes the men and women

who emerge as leaders are the ones
who are most firmly wedded to
their vision and principles.
● Some of the most influential
presidents: GEORGE
WASHINGTON, FRANKLIN
ROOSEVELT, RONALD
RAEGAN- there were not
necessarily the smartest ones,
but rather the wisest at the
tricky art of balancing
pragmatism and principle.
Some of the
best leaders
in History
 Hatshepsut

● She ruled with confidence, intelligence

and integrity

● She took the throne as regent for her

stepson, Thutmose III.

● Her rule had been a time of peace and

prosperity, filled with magnificent art and
a number of ambitious building projects.

● Under her guidance, the empire embarked

on several successful trading expeditions.
 Cleopatra

● Cleopatra’s independence and

ambition made her an amazing
leader.

● She was an intelligent and

brave woman.

● Her leadership styles includes:

She paid attention to her
appearance, she was
broadminded and she was
strict and very ambitious.
 Catherine the
Great of Russia
● Under her reign, Russia grew larger, its
culture revitalized, and it was
recognized as one of the great powers
worldwide.

● Displayed very authoritarian style of

leadership.

● This leadership style was very effective

in Russia because during that time, the
country displayed very little unity and
Catherine possessed outstanding
vision, intellect, and creativity.
 Napoleon
Bonaparte

● He was diligent, always

improving himself and acquiring
knowledge that would help him
in his future tasks.

● One essential characteristic if

Napoleon was his brilliance. He
was very smart.

● Incredible charisma
 George
Washington

Possessed
unassailable
rectitude
and stature.
 Thomas
Jefferson

Displayed
elegant,
creative,
intelligence
 Benjamin
Franklin
● Was inventive and
pragmatic to the core and
had a wry wit that warmed
rather than wounded those
around him.

● Franklin was sage enough

to bring passionate people
together, to lead them by
listening to them.
 Abraham
Lincoln
● Largely self-taught, he eventually became a lawyer before
getting elected.

● His brilliance influenced what would become the freest and

most prosperous nation on earth.

● Lincoln rapidly modernized the economy without sacrificing

his values.

● Synonymous with principles of liberty, democracy, equal

rights and unification.

● Willingness to stand alone on issues he believed in made him

one of the most beloved and memorable leaders in history.
 Winston
Churchill
● He was famous for his speeches, and for his
refusal to give in, even when things were going
badly.

● He was bold, brave and tireless in his resolve to

take on the might of Nazi Germany.

● He inspired a nervous and hesitant Britain

through his sheer energy and force of
personality to defy stark odds and never give in.

● When Churchill finally took the helm of Prime

Ministership, he was arguably the greatest
leader of the 20th Century.
 Golda Meir
● Former Prime Minister of
Israel

● Was the only female prime

minister of Israel.

● Also a teacher before rising

into political power.
 Eva Peron
● She was known as
the “Spiritual
leader of
Argentina”

● Inspirational
Leader
 Margaret
Thatcher
● Was Prime Minister of Great Britain.

● Dubbed as the Iron Lady, Thatcher

was the longest serving prime
minister in the country’s history and
was well-known for her autocratic
leadership style.

● Led the British into the Falklands

War.
 SOME OF
HISTORY’S
RUTHLESS
LEADERS
 Papa Doc
Duvalier
● Former President of Haiti from 1957 –
1971.

● His regime rapidly became

totalitarian and despotic.

● He established the Tonton Macoute,

Haiti’s death squad.

● Siphoned Haiti’s aid received from

the United States.
 Joseph Stalin
● Former leader of the USSR

● Forced a quick
industrialization and
collectivisation in the 1930’s
that coincided with mass
starvation, the imprisonment
of millions of people in labour
camps, “the Great Purge”.
 Benito
Mussolini
● Former leader of Italy

● Established “Fascism” in
which Hitler was a fan of.

● Dismantled democratic
government.
 Adolf Hitler
● Leader of the Nazi Party.

● Established the Third Reich

which was meant to last a
thousand years.

● Purged the Jews in what is

known as the “Final Solution”
 The Challenge
● The greatest challenge of
leadership is to know when to
be flexible and pragmatic, on
the one hand, when it is,
instead, a moment to stand firm
on principle and clarity of
vision.
SOME QUALITIES
OF GREAT
LEADERS
 COURAGE
● Does not hide from
challenging or scary
situations; speaks up
for what is right even if
there is opposition.
 CREATIVITY

● Thinks of many
ways to solve
challenges
 LOYALTY
● Stays true to
friends and family
members through
difficult times
 HONESTY
● Speaks truthfully;
acts sincerely; takes
responsibility for
own feelings and
actions
 SELF-REGULATION
● Controls emotions
and sticks to
decisions; is
disciplined
 FORGIVENESS
● Accepts
shortcomings of
others without anger;
gives people a second
chance.
 COMPASSION

● Thinks of how
others are
feeling.
 INTELLIGENCE
● Learns quickly and
thinks of good
solutions; has a
love of learning.
 DETERMINATION
● Focuses on goals
and works hard
to achieve them.
 ENTHUSIASM
● Has lots of
energy and
enthusiasm for
life.
 HUMOR
● Sees the lighter
side of life and
helps people
laugh.
 FAIRNESS
● Treats people fairly
and advocates for their
rights; doesn’t let their
personal feelings bias
decisions
 GENEROSITY
● Gives freely of time
and possessions;
demonstrates
kindness
 MY OWN
PERSONAL
THOUGHTS
 IN THE KNOW
● A leader keeps of what is happening
not only in his/her immediate
surroundings but all over the world.

● A leader must have a deep

appreciation of the world events. This
should be translated inside the
classroom.
 WELL-READ
● No excuse for not reading books even
when we are leading busy lives with
our jobs and families;

● A true leader always nourishes his

knowledge and translates this into
skills and converts these skills inside
the classroom and in his/her everyday
lives.
 HUMBLE
● Learning how to accept constructive
criticisms and grow from this.

● Learning how to accept mistakes.

● Learning how to accept defeat

● Learning how to be thankful in victory.

 USE THE MAGIC
WORDS
● Always say “Thank You”

● Always say “Excuse ME”

● Always say “Sorry”

 STUDENTS
WELFARE COME
FIRST

● A true leader in
education always
thinks of what is best
for our students.
 GROWS AS A PERSON/
AN INNOVATOR
● Attending seminars

● Constantly growing
and improving oneself.
 A PERSON OF INTEGRITY

● Having strong ethical and

moral principles.

● Behaving honorably even

if no one is watching.
Alternative Resources