3 essentials for becoming an inspiring leader

Once upon a time, leadership was all about management.

Management, in turn, has been all about titles, stability and positional authority.

Leadership is different—it’s about influence, adaptability and moral authority. Managers are given responsibility; leaders earn respect.

Moral authority is a sort of social heft, a sense of wisdom and experience that encourages other people to put their trust in you. A leader with moral authority consistently demonstrates character, courage and competence.

Here’s what that looks like:

Competence is the ability to lead well. Making smart decisions, knowing your people, understanding your field and committing to personal growth are all examples of competence. Leaders who demonstrate that they know what they’re doing—and that they learn from their mistakes—establish themselves as a leader worth following.