What is a leader? Published May 11, 2009 By Maj. Richard Marsh 90th Contracting Squadron commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- What is a leader? Can someone be considered a leader based on rank or job description? Or is there more to leadership than what sits on your shoulder, the side of your arm, or a nameplate on your desk? I think we all know the answers to these questions. A leader is someone who sets the example, creates the goals and visions for an organization, holds themselves and their personnel accountable, and busts their butt every day to the betterment of the Air Force. Leadership opportunities can avail themselves at any level within an organization, from the obvious head to the individual filing the mail. Leadership rule number one. Setting the example is probably the one most important attribute any effective leader can choose to practice. That old adage of never asking your people to do something you wouldn't do is ever true. Acting contrary to leadership rule number one is the fastest way to losing the respect and credibility of the people who count on their leader to be the tip of the spear. This type of leader typically puts others before themselves and is more concerned with the individual successes of others and the organization as a whole than their own success. In other words, what you have is the epitome of a servant leader, which would serve any organization well. A second key characteristic of any leader is one who has goals or vision for his unit. The only way to measure the success of any group is via the achievement of set goals or a set vision. Without goals or vision, an organization will function aimlessly not knowing whether its resultant products can be measured a success. In addition, identified goals and vision are useless if they are only words on a fancy poster or written somewhere on an office wall. An effective leader must internalize what's written and, with passion, consistently stress the goal's or vision's importance. If it's not important to the boss, then it won't be important to the boss' employees. Because of this, it's vital an effective leader consistently get this message across. Lastly, personal accountability of oneself is a key attribute for any effective leader. The ground-level troops must know if they are not performing to standards, then this will be brought to their attention until standards are met. On the flip side of this coin, those troops must know it's alright to hold their leader accountable if they feel their leader isn't doing their job. Without this two-way street, it can come across as if the head of an organization should never be questioned. A lack of accountability coming from both ends can stymie creativity, productivity and effectiveness, which is a death wish. Just as Vince Lombardi said, "Leaders aren't born; they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work." Anyone can be a leader if they give thought and put into practice the words above. Ultimately, it requires passion and putting in the time and effort to leave the unit better than when you received it, which is something any leader would want.