When we think of leadership, we often think of strength and power.But what are these really, and
how do they operate?
Leadership today is not about forcing others to do things.Even if this is possible, it is shortterm, and
tends to produce unexpected and unwanted results.If you order someone to do something against their
will, they may do it because they feel they have to, but the anger they feel will do more harm in the long
term.They will also experience fear.
Fear causes the thinking brain to shut down, making the person unable to function at his or her best.
If they connect you with th
is emotion of fear, they will become less functional around you, and you will
have succeeded in not only shooting yourself in the foot, but possibly making a very good employee or
partner unable to perform effectively.Fear does no good to leadership.
The way we influence people in a lasting way is by our own character, and our understanding and use
of emotion.We can order someone to do something, which may be part of the work day; or we can
employ them at the emotional level, so they will become fully devoted to the projects and provide some
of their own motivation.Today's work place is all about relationships.
Anyone works harder in a positive environment in which they're recognized and valued as a human
being as well as a worker.Everyone produces just a bit more for someone they like.Leaders understand
the way things work.They know the pay check is not the single most important factor in the work life of
most people.
The true strength of leadership is an inner strength that comes from the confidence of emotional
intelligence-knowing your own emotions, and how to handle them, and those of others.Developing your
emotional intelligence is the single best thing you can do if you want to develop your relationship with
people around you, which is the key to
the leadership skills.
1. The writer thinks that it is not________for us to connect leadership with strength and power.
A. possible
B. necessary
C. easy
D. effective
2. People may NOT be working hard when________.
A. they're regarded as human beings
B. they like th
eir leaders
C. money is taken as the most important
D. leaders understand the way things work
3. From the passage, we can conclude that________is the key to making a good leader.
A. developing one's emotional intelligence
B. in fluencing others in one's own way
C. producing some unexpected results
D. having confidence in one's ability
4. This passage is most helpful to those who________.
A. have strength and power
B. are going to make a speech
C. would like to be leaders
D. are to be excellent employees
