Self-leadership is the essence1 of initiative； it's putting yourself in charge of 2 your work without constant intervention3 and monitoring4 by your manager. It's making decisions yourself instead of waiting for your manager to make decisions for you.

Leadership knows no boundaries， and leaders can be found anywhere in a company， regardless of an employee's place on the organizational chart5. In a recent study entitled Liberating Leadership Report， published by the United Kingdom's Industrial Society， more than 80 percent of those identified by employees as having genuine leadership ability are not in positions of formal authority. Another study showed that， on average6， the formal leaders of an organization contribute no more than 20 percent to the success of most organizations； followers are critical to the remaining 80 percent.

While managers use policies， procedures， milestones7， and the like to push their associates8 to achieve the goals of the organization， leaders inspire their associates to achieve the goals of the organization through their actions and their examples. All it takes to be a leader is a vision9 of the way things should be， the passion to convince others to join you， and the initiative to get the ball rolling10.

To put it more concretely， the following qualities are the ones that are often exhibited by effective leaders：

Has a strong， internal drive to achieve and succeed. John Kotter ， a researcher， says that " it takes a sustained11effort for years……to accomplish the kinds of changes associated with leadership. It is difficult to imagine people with less than a high level of internal drive handling the problems and challenges over such a long period of time."

Is mentally and emotionally stable12. Mental and emotional stability allows you to view the world as it is without creating complex personal problems. Leaders must possess a strong emotional balance to overcome the myriad13 of problems in the daily work environment.

Cares about others. Successful leaders value other people and care about their well-being14. Caring about others is a core ingredient15 for leaders if people are to follow their direction.

Is trustworthy. Trust is vital. People trust you when you don't play games16 with them， when you put everything on the table and speak honestly to them.

Is willing to empower17 people. Competent leaders empower others to make decisions on their own and give them freedom to accomplish tasks without looking over their shoulders18. Afterward， discerning19 leaders give credit to their employees for 20 a job well done.

Has vision for the direction of the organization. In order to move a department or organization forward， leaders must have vision. They must have an image of the future and how they are going to get there.

Is decisive. Being able to make decisions quickly and accurately21 is a quality of effective leaders. Have you even known a successful leader who is not a good decision maker？

Has proven communication skills. Successful leaders must have proven communication skills in order to communicate the goals and direction of the department and organization to employees.

自我领导是主动性的第一要义。这就是你对自己的工作全盘负责而无需上级主管经常介入和监控；这就是你自己做出决定，而不是等待你的上司为你做出决定。

领袖才能没有界限。公司每一部门每一级都有具备领袖才能的人，不管其在公司的组织机构中占有何种位置。英国产业协会新近出版的一份题为《放开领导》的研究报告表明，80％被雇员确认有真正领袖才能的人并无任何正式职权。另一项研究表明，平均而言，大多数机构的成功只有两成可归功于各级主管；而其余八成则应归功于一般员工。

管理者是运用政策、程序、公司历史上的重大事件等等，来推动员工去达到公司的指标，而领导者则通过自身的行动和榜样来激发同事们达到公司制定的目标。所谓领袖人物需要的是一种前瞻的想像力，一种能带动同事们和你一起干的激情，以及一种能使某项工作运作起来的主动性。

具体而言，富有成效的领导通常具备以下品质：

有一种强烈的要作出成绩的内在动力。研究人员约翰·科特说，"成就领袖所具备的各种素质需要数年坚持不懈的努力。很难想象一个没有非凡的内在动力的人能够在如此长的时间里应付种种问题和挑战。"

心理和情感稳定。心理和情感稳定能够让你客观地看世界，而不掺杂任何复杂的个人问题。领导者必须具备出众的情感平衡能力，以战胜日常工作环境中纷乱繁多的障碍。

关心他人。成功的领导者尊重他人，关心他人的福祉。要想让众人服从领导，关心他人是领袖人物必须具备的品质。

值得信赖。信任是至关重要的。如果你不糊弄人，而且把事情摆到桌面上开诚布公地与人探讨，人家就会信任你。

愿意授权予他人。称职的领导人授权给下属，让他们自己做出决定，放手让他们独立自由地完成其任务，而不多加干预。事后，精明的领导者会表扬工作出色的员工。

有对机构发展前景的远见。要想推动一个部门、一个公司或一个企业向前发展，领导者必须要有远见。他们必须对公司的前景和如何实现此一前景成竹在胸。

决择果断。能够迅速准确地做出决定是有效领导者的一个品质。你可曾见过一位优柔寡断的成功的领导人？

有娴熟的交际能力。成功的领导人必须有经过实践证明的交际能力，能够把部门或公司的目标和发展方向传达给员工。

注释：

1.essence n.本质，实质，要素

2.in charge of管理，照管，负责

3.intervention n.介入，干预

4.monitor vi.监控

5.organization chart组织系统图

6.on average按平均值，通常

7.milestone n.里程碑，重大事件，转折点

8.associate n.同事，伙伴

9.vision n.目光，看法

10.get the ball rolling开始某种活动，使其不中断

11.sustained adj.持续的，持久的

12.stable adj.稳定的，平稳的

13.myriad n.andadj.各种各样（的）

14.well-being n.康乐，安康

15.ingredient n.（构成）要素

16.play games闹着玩，不认真对待

17.empower vt.授权给

18.look over one's shoulder小心提防

19.discerning adj.精明的

20.give sb. credit for为…而称赞某人

21.accurately adv.准确地