Class, thank you for all of your responses last week when I asked about leadership qualities. Characteristics of an effective leader include the following from you:

• the ability to inspire other people to work together to achieve specific goals that benefit all stakeholders
• the ability to create a strategic vision that outlines what stakeholders are supposed to do and the goals they will achieve due to their efforts
• future-oriented and plans for the long term instead of the short term
• focused on ideas that will lead to continuous improvement and not the day-to-day operations that may have little impact on future outcomes
• try to create positive change and take calculated risks that can increase their chances of achieving their goals
• someone to lead who is able to not only manage the daily operations that must occur for things to run but who can ensure everyone makes it through
• wears a multitude of hats throughout those twelve hours, from a communicator, coach, change agent, processor, and strategist
• genuinely cares about the end goal and the people they are leading
•  trustworthy, integrity, responsible, passionate, well-spoken, and not NEGATIVE
• supportive
• have vision, empathy, integrity, and decisiveness, and are able to effectively communicate their vision and inspire others to work towards a common goal
• the ability to understand and relate to the feelings and perspectives of others, build strong relationships and foster a sense of trust
• be honest, ethical, and consistent in their actions and decisions, even in the face of adversity
• the ability to make decisions quickly and confidently, while also considering the needs and perspectives of others

Looking at this list, does this seem realistic to you? It is highly possible that the same characteristics that you feel are valuable in a leader, others desire in you? Do an honest self-assessment of which of the characteristics you feel you rate high in and which you can develop (you do not need to share your thoughts with the class)