Read the following passage and answer the questions.

The word 'leader' is rather prominent these days. What and who is a leader ? The Webster's Dictionary clearly defines a leader as a person of good talent in commanding influence to a group o followers. It also defines a leadership as that ingredient of personality that causes men whether male or female to follow. A leadership is an influence process. It is the ability to motivate others to do something, believe in something or act in a certain way. The leadership style is the pattern of behaviors used to influence others. What makes a good leader ? Leaders are people who do the right thing. A leadership provides the vision, so that the management gets things done. Many people have been put in leadership positions but they lack the training, particularly in the non-profit-making organizations or those of public interest. Leadership can be learned. There are may classes of tools for effective leadership. A leader must have a vision. The leader must state in concrete ideas how programs will work, who will be served, what outcomes are expected from a project, what technology will be used and how the organization will get there. To articulate the future clearly, the leader should be able to focus. Tell people what you want and expect from them and never waste their time. There are always distractions and personality conflicts but leaders should be able to see beyond them to what it will take to get the job done effectively. Leaders are also risk-taker. They must learn from their success and failure. This may sound like a cliche but if you do things the way they have always been done and never take a chance, you will always get what you had before. Leaders should always reward risk-taking in others. A leader must be able to empower others. Teach people how to accomplish a task. Never do it for them even if you can do it faster or better. Part of the empowerment process in an organization is to ensure that the leader listens to everyone's suggestions, incorporate ideas as needed and give credit to those who deserve recognition. Learning to give positive feedback is crucial ! A leader must learn what motivates people and then act accordingly. Bill Gates inspires his employees with both his vision and financial rewards. Praise (tell the folks they have done well), appreciation (a simple 'thank you' regularly will earn the leader the respect), recognition (awards, credit on a report, a letter of commendation) or the truth about problems (being clear about consequences) are all motivators. It is not surprised that if we look around and observe the leaders of every nation, we can come to term that a leader has a quality that makes people listen. Leaders should have a holding court, which is a kind of quality in them to strike the attention of listeners to turn to them. When they speak, people listen. That is the kind of quality needed. A good leader is able to change plans or tactics without hesitation the moment the old methods are not working well. An effective leader should be clear-headed, self-confident and sure of himself but always ready to learn. His mental flexibility allows him to be sensitive to the needs of change and on the lookout for the best new methods. It is only of justice and humanitarianism ground that a leader should have a strong sense of justice, especially seasoned by sympathy. The leader should be warm and direct. this quality is important, especially if the leader is going to touch on the lives of a nation where the people range from the old, young, feeble, weak, educated and uneducated and humans from all walks of life. The leader of tomorrow is changing from the top-down management style to a friendly approach. Therefore, working together creates the concern for work and productivity that both sides look for.

(a) What is a leader ?

(b) What type of process must a leader possess ?

(c) What is the leadership style ?

(d) List a quality of a good leader and state why it is important

(e) What is meant by being able to focus ? Give two reasons.

(f) Explain why leaders are important to have a holding court.

(g) Summarize the passage, and give a suitable Title.

a) answer: A leader is a person who has good talent in commanding and who influences group of followers.

b) answer: A leader should have a ability to motivate others to do something, or to believe in something or act in a certain way.

c) answer: The leadership style is the pattern of behaviours which can be used to influence others.

d) answer: The quality of a good leader is that a good leader must have a vision. Because without any vision a good leader cannot guide others and cannot influence anyone . A proper vision is what separates a normal person form a great leader. Leaders should always have a clear vision in their minds.

e) answer: Focus means to concentrate on one thing without distraction. There are always distractions and personality conflicts that may interrupt our focus but we should choose between them wisely.

Two reasons for better focus are:

• We should know exactly what we need to do and should do it without distractions.
• We should know what our objectives are and should reach there without loosing focus.

f) answer: Leaders should have a holding court, because it is a kind of quality to strike the attention of listeners to turn to them. Because when leaders speak, people should listen, and having a holding court makes people to listen to their leaders.

g) answer: So basically this entire passage is about the qualities that a good leader should possess for the betterment of them and the organisation they're in charge. This passage also tells us that people love to listen good leaders and a good leadership can be obtained by being generous to the people below them. A good leader should be a risk taker not a follower, because people follow their leaders. And if leaders make good decisions it makes good to people too.

A title which I think is suitable for this passage is " Leadership Skills ".