Many organizations today place multiple demands on their leaders to provide vision, initiate change, and make difficult decisions when necessary. For leaders to meet these demands, they must be able to be flexible and, above all, adapt to change. Having strong leadership skills and a sense of direction are among the things that successful companies look for in a leader. It is therefore important that leaders engage effectively with their subordinates in order to generate their commitment, motivate them and improve the quantity and quality of their work. Good leaders will find innovative ways to motivate their staff using a variety of skills, whether through training or experience, that will help them achieve a common goal. Leadership Skills The Girl Scouts of America follows a quote that says: “Leadership is essential to getting things done. But the qualities of a good leader – self-knowledge, commitment, willingness to look to others for support, openness to change and desire to go further can determine whether someone chooses to follow. (Leader, 2004) This can be used as an example of how a leader can make a difference when you have a supported team. Additionally, it is important for a leader to be proactive by anticipating three steps with the goal of avoiding problems before they arise. The article “Leading to Leadership” refers to this as preventative maintenance in which it helps to change, grow, and improve. Other qualities include initiative, flexibility, good communication, respect, trust, enthusiasm, open-mindedness, consistency and delegating professionally. We all have the ability to demonstrate leadership in one way or another, whether as professionals, as parents...... middle of paper ... and enable them to reaching their full potential is the gift of a great leader. ConclusionA leader is someone who strives to help others become more than they ever thought possible. Good leadership is about unlocking the potential of a group, business or organization. Not necessarily telling them what to do, but really inspiring your subordinates to see what they are capable of and then helping them achieve that because at one point or another, someone has inspired us too. Works Cited Glen Llopis (2013) 10 Ways to inspire your Team, taken from: Forbes http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2013/05/06/10-things-inspire-teams-to-optimally- perform/ Leadership Qualities from: Leader, Fall 2004 https: //www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/2004_fall/five_qualities.aspLeading to Leadership: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadled .html