By Are you a real leader? Take this quick test, based on the criteria established by Robert I. Rotberg in Transformative Political Leadership, to see. Give yourself a point for each yes. The higher the score, the more likely you are to be a leader. – Charlene Smith 
Use this to evaluate your boss, political representative, or yourself.
Do you:
- Behave in a positive, inspiring fashion in private and public?
- Encourage and motivate others?
- Appear to understand the fears and desires of subordinates?
- Have a long-term vision – a grand but simple plan – that benefits broader society, not just you?
- Does that vision get buy-in from those around you?
- Educate and encourage education for your subordinates?
- Empathize with diverse people and groups?
- Stimulate others intellectually?
- Create a sense of hope with your presence, writings and words?
- Make others feel included, even if they have grievances?
- Listen well, and spend perhaps 70 to 80 percent of your time listening?
- Avoid demonizing opponents?
- Keep your promises, a way of creating legitimacy?
- Avoid fostering a cult of personality?
- Have or had a supportive, encouraging parent (especially a mother)?
- Have determination and the will to personally experience hardship, or sacrifices, to achieve your goals?
- Avoid ‘bling’ or ostentation, and discourage it in the leadership team?
- Consult with others?
- Buck popular wisdom?
- Understand that conciliation shows courage, not weakness?
- Affirm the humanity of your enemies?
Created and compiled by Charlene Smith, based on Transformative Political Leadership: Making a Difference in the Developing World by Robert I. Rotberg.
