How to become a great leader in 7 steps

“I recommend that you all get fired; it’s a great learning experience”, is what Anna Wintour once said. You should be happy with a failure; it means you can handle it and that things couldn’t possibly be worse and beside failure is a steppingstone to success. Do as all the great leaders and make sure you live up to these seven qualifications. You might not be the second Steve Jobs but it will certainly help you move up in the world.

1. Dare to fail

If you sit at the side of the pool because you are afraid to drown you will never learn to swim. The difference between winners and loser is how they deal with failures. ‘To lead well is to risk failure’. Look at all the famous successful people. Donald Trump, Richard Branson. For every success there’s been at least one less successful plan. Who cares? It might bring you an idea that ensures your future world travelling will only be first class.

2. Follow your goal

People who are crazy enough to believe they can change the world are probably capable of doing so. Wesley Sneijder dreamt of Ajax when he was a little boy, Hardwell (when nobody knew him) stated on national TV he would become the best DJ in the world. Those same people who were sniggering at this statement now boast that he’s been on their show. Think big. It’s free.

3. Give

Psychology divides people into three groups: the givers, the takers and the matchers who want to be good to themselves as well as to others. Good leaders take care of their people. Think like Google who takes care of dry-cleaning, hairdressers and everything else you might need to make your life easier at the office. This makes people happy, loyal to the company and you still have plenty of time left over (how could you not?) to spend on your work.

4. Relax

Working too hard and not getting enough sleep doesn’t help anyone, least of all you. Your productivity and creativity will decrees and you could get a burnout. Big leaders take their daily yoga session, a digital detox on Saturday and go on vacations at least two times a year though I’s say go for three and throw in two city trips.

5. Listen

How often do you find yourself sending out a Whatsapp message while your colleague is telling you something? Iris research states we only have on third of the eye-contact we had before the digital age. Everybody remembers Bill Clinton because he was really there. Even if only for a minute, he noticed you. He looked at you and asked how you were. That makes people want to ‘do’ for you and that in turn calls for a leader.

6. Be intellectually curious

Leaders need to be flexible especially in times of change. You have to have a bendable mind that you ‘maintain’ by stimulation and keeping an open mind for new things.

7. Be nice

Empathetic people are the best leaders. They don’t only work with others; they know you need each other to achieve the highest goal. So be nice, it never hurt anyone.