Page 95 - Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich Full Book | Success Learned

personality, greatly increase the efficiency of others, and induce them to render
more service and better service than they could render without his aid.

5. LACK OF IMAGINATION. Without imagination, the leader is incapable of
meeting emergencies, and of creating plans by which to guide his followers ef-
ficiently.

6. SELFISHNESS. The leader who claims all the honor for the work of his follow-
ers, is sure to be met by resentment. The really great leader CLAIMS NONE OF
THE HONORS. He is contented to see the honors, when there are any, go to his
followers, because he knows that most men will work harder for commendation
and recognition than they will for money alone.

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7. INTEMPERANCE. Followers do not respect an intemperate leader. Moreover,
intemperance in any of its various forms, destroys the endurance and the vitality
of all who indulge in it.

8. DISLOYALTY. Perhaps this should have come at the head of the list. The lead-
er who is not loyal to his trust, and to his associates, those above him, and those
below him, cannot long maintain his leadership. Disloyalty marks one as being
less than the dust of the earth, and brings down on one's head the contempt he
deserves. Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of
life.

9. EMPHASIS OF THE "AUTHORITY" OF LEADERSHIP. The efficient leader
leads by encouraging, and not by trying to instill fear in the hearts of his fol-
lowers. The leader who tries to impress his followers with his "authority" comes
within the category of leadership through FORCE. If a leader is a REAL LEADER,
he will have no need to advertise that fact except by his conduct-his sympathy,
understanding, fairness, and a demonstration that he knows his job.

10. EMPHASIS OF TITLE. The competent leader requires no "title" to give him
the respect of his followers. The man who makes too much over his title generally
has little else to emphasize. The doors to the office of the real leader are open to
all who wish to enter, and his working quarters are free from formality or ostenta-
tion.

These are among the more common of the causes of failure in leadership. Any one
of these faults is sufficient to induce failure. Study the list carefully if you aspire to
leadership, and make sure that you are free of these faults.