The Qualities Of Leadership

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29799, 16 April 1962, Page 14

The Qualities Of Leadership

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 15. What makes some people natural leaders? MajorGeneral L. W. Thornton, Chief of the General Staff, gave a nine-point answer to the question yesterday. “Are leaders bonn or made?” he asked the 1962 Lions International (N.Z.) convention. “My answer is that they are born, but need to be developed.” The personal qualities of a true leader. General Thornton said, were:— Mental Capacity; “Not an intellectual. This in some ways can be a handicap But he must be mentally above the men he leads.”

Moral Courage: “This is a quality I sometimes wonder if we have enough of. Lack of it leads to sloppy service.” Initiative: “This comes from the same source. What

is initiative, but to put forward your own idea, knowing there may be opposition,” he said. Knowledge and Experience: "A leader must understand the human material he is handling. From technical knowledge comes the ability to help others in their work." Faith: “This need not necessarily be religion, but a leader needs to be inspired by something outside himself. such as his work.” Ruggedness or Ruthlessness: “By this. I do not mean callousness. I mean that particular fibre to be able to fight and drive until the desired objective is

attained. If a leader is eaten away by doubt and self-questioning, he will not survive.”

Perspective: “This is a capacity to puj actions in perspective with current events, and to see yourself in perspective with those round you.” Public Relations.— General Thornton said he meant recognising opinion in a collective body—not ego exercises. “In any organisation, good relations between the leader and others much increase efficiency.” Physical Capacity: “1 do not mean rippling muscles. Just a good state of genera! health. If a man is going to lead properly he must feel well.”