Leadership Fundamentals Leadership is participation in a shared effort with the intention of influencing others and with openness to be influenced by others. While leadership is a necessary component for the advancement of society, it remains impossible to prescribe it in any one format. This would include not only good listening skills, but also empathy - the ability to understand others' position or perspective. Also recognizing that even good ideas can be added to, refined or interpreted more effectively through the review of others.
Leadership requires action.
An individual must act to bring ideas forward, help others to understand an idea or vision, and to follow through with plans. Also, recognize that to bring about real change will require the energy, involvement and shared participation of others. Beyond cooperation, collaboration involves identifying the needs of all parties involved in the issue, and working toward outcomes that will meet all those identified needs. We are all influential in this world. Simply by the act of being, we are impacting the world and others around us.