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Let us all get on the same page, shall we?
Initiative + Vision = Leader
By definition, and in essence, a leader is somebody who leads or takes the lead. Because of this, having Initiative (which is composed of a number of other qualities) as well as Vision (which is also composed of a number of other qualities) are basic requirements to fit the role and merit the title.
However, even by meeting those requirements, leaders can be anywhere from embarrassingly awful to impressively outstanding. And normally, there are traits that signal to others that someone (or something) is a potential or official leader in some realm and can be followed.
Unfortunately, though, because of the real or imagined prestige and power that comes with such a hierarchical position, there will be many striving to take the spot despite their ability to SERVE as a Leader (an ability that earns and justifies having others serve them in return). Instead, they would be more interested in being SERVED and have that as their main motivation and intention around which all else revolves and adapts. And not uncommonly, it is, regardless, achieved (thank the cultures and systems that incentivize, reward, and condition these behaviors).
Nevertheless, and in spite of everything, if you’re seeking to become an apt leader in your work, your community, or what have you, you should be striving for more. Perhaps you are driven by achieving genuine excellence - for your character’s sake, for your contribution’s sake, or for both. And amassing followers would merely be a result of that.
Yet, at times, more is at stake, and you must or are compelled to extend yourself to convince others that you are worth it. In such cases, certain qualities can draw in and keep around people. No. It is not manipulation - that’s conning, not leading. And it is not coercion - that’s oppressing, not leading.
A legitimate leader could, roughly, be recognized and measured through these qualities. Great Leaders are capable of possessing all of these. However, Level 0 is only justifiable under extremely dire circumstances (e.g. delaying, escaping, or defeating terrible enemies or scenarios). Lousy Leaders barely make it up to Level 4, maybe very selectively do Level 5 and Level 6 to keep up, over-relying on the worst of Level 1 if terrible enough. Treacherously skipping levels, or constructing the illusion of accomplishing them, is also a possibility.
The bad news is: A lot of people only focus on, settle for, or are fooled by Levels 0 to 4.
The good news is: Without taking away from the higher ones, you can still hook people with the lower ones. So good and great leadership is still possible (and exists).
Ultimately, if you’re ambitious and would rather not run solely on smoke and mirrors, I recommend dedicating yourself to reaching and covering as many of these levels as you can in your area and scope. Even if you don’t make it to Level 10 in this lifetime, the rest are still quite the feat.
