Are you a natural leader or a wannabe leader?  Do you fantasize about growing up and leading a big corporation some day?  Well, I am here to tell you that you can do anything you want.  Yes, even become a great leader! 

Do you know how to make others feel important? When your friends and the people you come into contact with feel that you recognize their strengths and contributions, they will be more willing to take note of yours.  The first step in becoming a future leader is to uplift the people around you. 

Second you must have a clear vision of what you want done and be able to promote it.  People like to know what they are supposed to be doing and why.  They will be more willing to assist you if you show them the value in what they are doing. 

One great way to keep your friends and followers happy is to treat them the way you want to be treated.  The golden rule is timeless.  Good leaders are good to their people and do not hold onto double standards. 

Are you able to admit when you have made a mistake?  It is always better to admit a mistake than to lose credibility by letting someone else find out about it later.  If you did something wrong, admit it to the group you are working with.  Do this openly, honestly, and as soon as possible. 

When you find out that someone has done something wrong, do you wait until you are alone to criticize them?  When someone has done a great job that is when you tell others about it.  Do not criticize anyone in public. 

Make appearances.  Don’t hide out if you want to be a leader.  Great leaders are visible. Everyone knows them because they make an effort to get to know everyone.  You don’t have to do this in a showy way, just get out there and get to know as many people as you can.  Stay close to the action and learn a little about everyone you meet. 

Finally, you need to strive to be the best that you can be.  That means being open to constructive criticism and making corrections as needed.   

For those of you who know that you will never be leaders, and yes there are plenty of successful followers, make sure the person you are following can hold up to these basic leadership practices.  If they can’t, you may want to find someone else to follow. 

So now you know how to become a successful leader.  Get started making your mark on the world!