With that as background, in this series, we’re going to try to explore some of the commonalities of what a leader is and what leadership means.  The dictionary defines a leader as “the person who leads a group.”  Not a lot of help if you ask me.  The U.S. Army defines leadership as “a leader is anyone who influences people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.”  Maybe because I’m retired Army, but I personally like the Army’s definition of a leader over the definition provided by the internet.  But for the purpose of this series, I would like to modify it slightly.  “A leader is anyone who influences people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish…”  Therefore, as we continue to explore the Knowledge, skills, and attributes of a leader, we will be doing so using the U.S. Army’s modified definition of a leader. 

We also need to establish what Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes (KSAs) are.  Knowledge is what someone has gained through education, training, and experience.  It’s the foundation on which all decisions are made.  Skills are the process of how a person does something; the more skilled someone is, the better and more efficient they are at something.  Attributes are most closely associated with a person’s personality or behaviors.

Putting the definition of a leader together with the definition of KSAs, we begin to get a better picture of what it means to be a leader.  We can also begin to see how practicing being a leader can make someone a better leader, regardless of their roles, responsibilities, or position. 

I think it’s important to pause here to mention what leadership isn’t.  Leadership isn’t telling people what to do.  Telling people what to do is, at best, a form of management.  I wanted to call this out specifically because over the years, I’ve seen people confuse directing people with leadership.  I think it’s an important distinction that needs to be called out to help emphasize the elements of true leadership.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when thinking about themselves as a leader is associating leadership with a title.  A title is just that, a title, nothing more.  Whether a person holds the title of leader or not, they can demonstrate leadership abilities through their KSAs.  I know this might sound counterintuitive, but one of the most often overlooked leadership traits is to be a good follower.  Your actions, no matter how small, have an impact on the others around you.  In other words, you are already a leader, whether you know it or not.

I see leadership as spheres of influence circling outward, beginning first at home through your interactions with the people you love the most.  The next sphere of leadership takes place through your interactions within your community and finally in the workplace.  I need to say this again for effect: the title a person holds has nothing to do with the leadership role they play.  “A leader is anyone who influences people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation…”

Let’s circle back to the process of training and practicing associated with becoming a good leader.  We’ve defined leadership and the term KSAs, but let’s dig a little deeper into what KSAs are and, by doing so, help establish a framework that anyone can reference when deciding they would like to be a better leader at home, in the community, or at work. 

As we’ve established, knowledge is education, training, and experience.  You can begin the education portion of leadership knowledge by taking leadership classes in school, reading books, and even watching documentaries.  Depending on where you are on your leadership journey, these are all great places to start.  In this context, training takes place when you practice something, and it’s even more impactful when you’re able to do so with feedback from someone you trust.  The last element of knowledge is experience, and this only comes with time.  I would offer one nuance to the experience element.  For an experience to be meaningful, it must be reflective.  Experience without reflection does not lead to personal growth, knowledge, or wisdom.  In other words, experience without reflection does not support leadership growth.

Leadership skills are the tools leaders must use to “influence people.”  They include things like communication, decision-making, adaptability, team building, and motivation, just to name a few.  I think most people would agree that all these skills are universally applicable in any situation.  Circling back to the leadership spheres, how many parents have had to practice their communication, decision-making, adaptability, team building, and motivation skills when getting their kids off to school in the morning?  I’m sure we can all think of a place outside of work where these skills are applicable.

Leadership attributes are the characteristics that help establish credibility between each other and set each of us apart as leaders.  Attributes include integrity, compassion, accountability, resilience, and empowerment, just to name a few.  We’ve all met someone who lacks one or more of these traits.  Let me ask you, do you want to follow them?  We can all think of someone who embodies these traits and probably many more, and without hesitation, we would say, “I want to follow that person.”

Regardless of your title and whether you realize it or not, you are leading people through your actions, what you say, and how you connect with people; you are a leader, and more importantly, are you the kind of leader you want to be?

Join us on this journey as we explore the fundamental elements of leadership skills, as well as thoughts and ideas to grow your own. 

If you’ve enjoyed this article, please check out some of the other leadership articles where we explore the personal and professional side of leadership: Leadership Domain: Chapter 1 (2 of 3) and Leadership Domain: Chapter 1 (3 of 3).

Before moving on, feel free to use the checklist below to assess your personal leadership readiness.

1. Each item below is worth one point.  Score yourself honestly; give yourself a point only if you can answer yes with confidence, not just in theory.

   1.0 _____: Have you reflected on your leadership skills?  Personal reflection is the first step in a journey to becoming a better leader.

   1.0 _____: Have you reviewed and assessed yourself against a list of the leadership, Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes needed for the roles you hold?  Knowing where to start is the second step in becoming a better leader.

   1.0 _____: Have you asked someone close to you to assess where you stand related to the Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes you’ve identified as important to you?  Asking your supervisor, husband/wife, etc., is a great place to start.

   1.0 _____: Do you have a plan to practice being a better leader?  Practice makes perfect, and not practicing leads to atrophy.

    

   _____: Assessment Grade

   4 = A · 3 = B · 2 = C · 1 or 0 = D

   Wherever you land, this is your starting point, not your ceiling. 

   “Leadership is not a title…it is a choice we make every day.”  Stay Ready, My Friends.

RuReady Resources:

1. Universal Leadership, Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes (KSA), Annual Focus Calendar. These are downloadable, printable pages that you can place in your planner.  The intent is to use these sheets as a weekly or monthly prompt to help a person focus and reflect on leadership elements. 

Leadership Books, Podcasts, and Documentaries: Leadership is a lifelong learning process.  There are thousands of excellent books, podcasts, documentaries, and interviews covering every leadership style imaginable.  Rather than focusing on finding the “best” one, focus on finding resources that challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and encourage personal growth.  The format matters less than your willingness to keep learning.