Challenging the dictionary’s definition of Leader

As we sat at lunch today and talked about leadership competencies, I became curious as to what leadership really means. To get to the bottom of it I started with the dictionary definition of leader, “a person or thing that leads.” Ok, that’s great…thank you dictionary.com. Unfulfilled with the results, I dug a little deeper and looked up “to lead.” Out of the 56 (yes, 56 definitions) here are a few…

• To go before or with to show the way.
• To influence or induce, to guide in direction, course, action, opinion.
• To conduct or bring.
• To go at the head of or in advance of.
• To have top position or first place.
• To act as a leader.

Then, just to cover all my bases, I decided I would be daring and search the definition of “leadership.” Not surprisingly, the result was “ability to lead.” I sat there and scratched my head (literally) for a few minutes while I wondered how society can define some of the most important people in our world, organizations and life with a definition as simple as that. Yes, a leader is someone that leads but there is so much more to it than that. So I challenge our readers (and dictionary.com) to think about what it really means to be a leader.

Here are some questions to consider:
What characteristics does a person need in order to lead? What makes others willing to trust and follow them? Why are some so much better at leading than others? What does it really mean to be a leader? What makes a good leader?

We will collect all of your responses and come up with a new definition of leader — one that is suited for the finest leader in town. Who knows, maybe it will even make its way to dictionary.com!