You are a leader once you decide to take entrepreneurship path. Whether you are working in small or big team -- you will be faced with situations that require your capacity as a leader. The question is how to an be effective leader? In the following paragraphs, I'll share with common traits that are shared among effective leaders hopefully I can give you some ideas in becoming an effective leader. Of course, I'd like to know your view as well.

Many people follow their boss because of the job structure in a organization. The truth is just because you are the boss does not mean people trust in what you do whole hearted -- they may follow you simply because you pay them and provide job security. It will be tough to get people to move toward this direction without right dose of trust. Thus, it's important to gain people's trust before you take the charge.

Communication skills is important for every effective leader. Effective communication skills help you providing clear picture to others of your vision; and how you are going to achieve it together with them. Combining trust and effective communication, you will be able to erase other people's doubt in achieving organizational goals and motive them to work toward it. Effective communication also help you in building organization values which involve all components within the organization.

Often, leaders are faced with the situations where every decision seems to be risky and invites negative feedback from others. An effective leader must always have the courage to do the thing they believe in. In situations where decision-making is critical for organization, a leader should examine other people's thinking and rationale before making the final decision. Again, good communication help effective leaders when encounter other people's reaction.

An effective leader knows when to say no and stick to what s/he believe. As a leader, no one expects you to agree on everything because it everyone has different view and interest toward any issue. Learning to say no is an effective way to stay focused, show your consistency, and commitment to decision that has been made. Indeed, there's a time when you need to take other people's feedback and not isolate yourself from valuable inputs.

These are just some aspects of what make an effective leader. From your experience, what are other traits required to be an effective leader?

In Becoming an Effective Leader