Are leaders born or are they made? Is leadership art or science? Most leaders are born with certain qualities that enable them to lead, but the exceptional ones take what they were born with and move their leadership and influence to the next level. This is good news for anyone who desires to be a leader or to raise their game in the leadership arena.

What kind of a leader are you? Are you the leader your co-workers and community needs? If you were sitting in a leadership class and your picture was shown as an example of a very good leader, would those who know you agree? Leaders are compelled to look into the leadership mirror constantly and compare the reflection of who they are against the image of what the organization and community needs. Making that vision a reality is the act of an intentional leader.

Author John Maxwell defines leadership as having influence. Think about the leaders you know; they all have influence in common. Dwight Eisenhower, Lewis and Clark, Mother Teresa, Mohandas Gahndi, Bill Gates, Martin Luther King Jr., Henry Ford, Milton Hershey and many others had, or still have, the ability to influence. But so did Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Jim Jones and Fidel Castro. Influence can be used to positive or negative outcomes. Those of us in fire and emergency services are called to use our influence to take care of our communities and the members of our organizations.

“Employees pay the price for your leadership style,” says Redmond, Wash., Deputy Chief Bob Oliver. All leaders should have this statement imprinted on a coin and carry it with them. I would add, “Employees reap the benefit for your leadership style,” on the back of that coin. Every time a leader looks at the coin, he or she should ask if those employees are paying the price or reaping benefits. My guess is that unless you are the type of person who cheers for the bad guy in the movies, you want to use your position for others.

To reach your leadership potential, you must have a strong foundation. Some qualities are the stones that can support you as a leader in your organization and community. Good leaders need to:

1. Act as role models

   “Example is not the main thing in influencing others … it is the only thing,” Albert Schweitzer once said. Every leader needs to be conscious of the image they present to others.

2. Be comfortable with change

   Change is coming faster than ever before and leaders need to be comfortable with change before they can lead others through change. “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn,” says futurist Alvin Toffler.

3. Desire to be lifelong students

   Serious leaders are also serious about developing themselves. Students of leadership will find leadership principles in standard modes of learning, but they also will see leadership principles in the least expected places.

4. Be safety conscious

   It takes a strong leader to disavow to unacceptable risk.

5. Serve

   Servant-leaders use their influence to live beyond themselves and take care of their customers and coworkers.

6. Multi-task

   The ability to prioritize and work on numerous projects in various states of completion is a key quality of any leader. However, the ability to multi-task is even more important the higher you rise in the organization.

7. Have vision

   Yogi Berra once said, “If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else.” A leader starts with the destination in mind. Leaders at every level must create supportive visions for their area of responsibility.

8. Be comfortable with details

   The ideal leader is not only a visionary but can make the vision real.

9. Observe and listen

   Leaders must keep their eyes and ears open. This keeps their finger on the pulse of the organization. Isolation is a barrier to influence.

10. Work for organizational success

    Author Louis L'Amour uses the saying “rides for the brand” to describe those who are loyal to an outfit. Leaders at every level are called to be loyal to the organization. If the “brand” needs someone to work days, be assigned to another station or shift, or take on a project, leaders step up. The opposite is riding for yourself, which limits both you and the organization.

11. Understand delegation

    Delegation increases the leader's and organization's capacity, it grooms future leaders and it assigns tasks to someone who has more knowledge and experience.

12. Be an instructor/mentor

    Developing people should be within every leader's top three priorities.

13. Be comfortable with technology

    New technology is providing more options and is coming at a faster pace than ever before. Being comfortable with using the latest technology has the potential to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness. People we hire today are very comfortable with technology and will push the leader to move into the 21st century.

14. Drink the Kool-Aid

    Everyone drinks Kool-Aid. But when the Kool-Aid is unpalatable, leaders must decide if they can improve it or need to move on. The line is drawn when leaders are asked to do something illegal, immoral or unethical.

15. Get in front of a stampede

    Individuals, groups and organizations stampede because of fear and concerns. Leaders must get in front of the stampede and turn it back with facts. If the stampede isn't stopped, it will take a lot of time and energy away from the organization.

16. Be self-motivated

    Leaders who motivate themselves to meet deadlines and commitments are invaluable.

17. Empower co-workers

    Leaders share their knowledge and power with others so they can move to the next level.

18. Follow

    The best leader also is a good follower. All leaders report to someone and come under their boss' influence. People are more willing to follow your example of following your boss.

19. Have positive attitudes

    In the movie Remember the Titans there is a piece of dialog that says, “Attitude reflects leadership.” If leadership is influence, then it is reasonable to believe a leader can influence the crew or organization's attitude, positive or negative.

20. Make good decisions

    A common leadership trap believes all decisions must come from within. Good leaders do not need to always think of the best solution, but they are responsible for recognizing it, implementing it and giving credit to others.

What qualities are on your list? Do you have a list? Do you desire self-improvement? If not, then you might find yourself a living example of Berra's adage. Intentional leadership is all about becoming the leader your organization needs and community deserves.

Deputy Fire Chief Bob Van Horne is a 27-year veteran of the Renton (Wash.) Fire and Emergency Services Department. His currently serves as director of the Safety and Support Services Section, which involves health and safety, training, and logistics. He has an associate's degree in fire command and administration and a bachelor's degree in business administration.