Getting Into The Mentality Of A Leader

Have you ever watched someone speak in front of an audience with so much conviction and grit and wondered what path they’ve taken to become the leader they are today? It’s no easy feat to put yourself in the public eye for people to judge, let alone convince a group of people to hang onto your every word or listen to your point of view. But time and time again we run into these immaculate figures who are able to captivate the general public and seem to persevere against all odds. Are people born leaders? Is there a genetic component to being a leader? In this article we’ll address one of the greatest leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We’ll discuss the attributes he had that contributed to his leader mentality and discuss whether these attributes are innate or truly can be learned.

Vision

One key characteristic of any impactful leader is having a clear vision. A vision must be strong enough for an individual to fully devote themselves to it. Dr. King was incredible with his words and really depicted exactly what he hoped the future would look like even beyond his years. His goal was clear: all people are created equal. No individual should be treated unfairly or have any less opportunity than the other. His passion for this goal was sparked by a threatening phone call he received one night. Dr. King states that the call awoke his spiritual journey and ignited a fire in him to keep the movement going in spite of repercussions.

Perseverance and Adaptability

Perseverance and Adaptability are two of the most necessary characteristics of a leader. Being a leader will inevitably come with trials and tribulations as they tend to have responsibility over an entire community. A good leader needs to be strong enough to take criticism, go through hardships and still prevail at the end. Dr. King was arrested 29 times for crimes like civil disobedience, loitering and traffic violations. He believed whole-heartedly in his mission and denounced unjust laws that prevented basic rights to all. He was willing to sacrifice his freedom for the freedom of all. In these scenarios Dr. King subjected himself to the possibility of abuse, torture, imprisonment etc. however, he was willing to adapt to these circumstances as he believed strongly in his non-violent protests and knew he could not control the responses to them.

Communication Skills

However you can have an incredible vision and drive but if you cannot communicate to people, your vision will fall on deaf ears. Communication is essential for a great leader. But beyond just communicating, leaders often convey their message in a powerful, meaningful way that touches people. Though a leader may have a regal aura to them, they are still able to have people relate to their goals and beliefs. By definition, a leader leads or commands a group of people, so the ability to touch individuals with your words is imperative. It’s no doubt Dr. King excelled in this skill. From his ground-breaking speeches “I have a dream” to “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop, Dr. King is one of the most captivating public speakers of all time. His thought-provoking speeches often involved steady, unhurried speaking which demanded the audience to hang onto his every word. He draws out his words almost in a manner of singing. Not everyone could pull this off but it was a tone and melody that was so unique to him, you could spot his voice from anywhere.

Demeanor

Command the room. Your demeanor, whether subliminally or not, plays a role in whether you’re viewed as a leader. Arnette & Pettijohn study revealed that those who had tall, positive postures tended to sit towards the head of the table during meetings and rated themselves higher on a leadership scale while those with notably more slouched/ negative postures sat farther away from the head of the table and ranked themselves lower on the leadership scale. It brings to light the power of embodied cognition which suggests that the mind and body are connected and that our thoughts, feelings and actions can be influenced by our physical state. In other words, when we stand up straight, our minds usually interpret this as a confident and strong stance leading us to feel more confident and secure. Whereas, when we slouch, the mind perceives this as a submissive role which can lead us to feeling less than or weak. Dr. King commanded the room in how he walked to how he stood and acknowledged people. His persona was warm but also that of someone on a mission. When speaking at a podium he was never rigid or stiff, rather he was relaxed and comfortable in his position. He moved, swayed and gestured during his speeches projecting passion and making it so you had no choice but to look at his every move.

Charisma

Charisma is a characteristic that’s been the definition of “you either got it or you don’t.” Leaders often have a magnetic pull that draws people to them. Charisma often includes a sense of confidence, strong social skills, and warmth. Their presence sucks in the room. Charismatic people often listen wholeheartedly, and are able to put people at ease, making them very likable. Because charismatic people are great with conversation and social skills, leaders are more likely to be charismatic. With that they have a better chance of building trust with their community. Dr King had an incredibly engaging personality. He was adored by many in his community and his non-violent stance made it that much harder to dislike him. Through and through he stood for peace and he was respected by many for that. His charming smile, captivating vocabulary and composed mannerisms are examples of strong charisma.

Overall Knowledge

Be Educated and Well Rounded: Not only related to actual degrees in school but emotional intelligence. Dr. King was a very intelligent individual who entered Morehouse college as a high school junior. There he studied sociology and was first introduced to the methods of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience through the works of Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau. He continued his educational journey studying at Crozer Theological Seminary and at Boston University where he obtained his doctorate in Theology. Needless to say, Dr. King was a critical thinker who understood the importance of education and research. He was well aware that in order to take on an issue, it was imperative to first gather vital information and analyze it from all angles, including the perspective of the opponent. By doing so one can be fully prepared for debates and negotiations regarding the subject matter.

Nature Vs. Nurture

So are all these innate traits gifted at birth or can they be learned at any phase in life? In general we are all born with some degree of these behaviors. Though over the course of one’s life, behavior levels may fluctuate providing the opportunity for people to work on their behavioral skills.

Persistence and adaptability are two of the Nine Traits of Temperament that can be strengthened with practice. An individual can improve their abilities to stay motivated and persistent towards a goal through the following means:

Finding a cause that inspires and gives purpose
Writing out steps towards attainable goals as visual motivation (see S.M.A.R.T. outline)
Adopting a growth mindset and understanding that goals can be met with consistent hard work
Having a positive attitude towards failure and understanding that it’s just a minor bump in the road towards your goal

Additionally, one can sharpen their adaptability skills by:

Maintaining a willingness to learn new skill sets that may help them along the way
Stepping out of their comfort zone and taking risks to explore new avenues towards a goal
Using failed attempts as opportunities to re-strategize

While some may perceive demeanor and charisma as inherent traits, there are ways in which one can make changes to these qualities

As mentioned before, improving posture can portray a sense of confidence
Being attentive and engaging with others while maintaining eye contact can exude a certain magnetism
Being approachable and kind and doing small gestures such as smiling shows charm

Continued education can occur at any point in life (through formal or informal means ) as long as the individual is willing and eager to learn. Having a curious mind and continually challenging yourself helps keep your mind sharp and ready for any obstacles on your path towards a goal.

Having a sharp mind improves your communication skills as you’re able to recall information learned and convey it in an eloquent manner. Communication skills can also be perfected through practice in social & business settings. Taking public speaking lessons also help in bringing your communication skills to the next level.

Conclusion

To become a leader you must put yourself into leading roles. Find a cause that speaks to your purpose and use your drive to make changes. Visualize the end goal and plan the steps necessary to meet it.

Even with all the qualities of a great leader, becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight. Practice makes perfect. It’s necessary to take on several authoritative roles to enhance your potential leadership skills. Run for president of your school club. Lead a workshop. Practice being in charge of a group of people to determine if it’s a burden you’re prepared to take on. Dr. King took on several leadership roles before and while leading the civil rights movement. He was valedictorian for his bachelors of divinity degree, ordained as an assistant pastor in 1948 at Ebenezer Baptist Church and became a pastor in 1954. He was president of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), and chairman of the Southern Negro Leaders Conference on Transportation and Non Violent Integration in 1957.

Everyone has the potential to become a leader, whether in their family, work-place, or community. A leader isn’t a person who bosses people around and belittles, rather they lookout for the general well-being of their community. Dr. King never saw himself as being more important than anyone and was willing to do the same work and face the same repercussions as his fellow community members. Being a leader holds an immense amount of responsibility, but when you are truly moved by a cause the work is well worth it and the gratification feeds the soul.

For more information on the Life and Accomplishments on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visit thekingcenter.org

Also Check out: The S.M.A.R.T Way to Unveil Your Potential in the New Year