The "IF 16"
Leadership Attributes
Number 1: Composure –The Power of Keeping Your Head
"If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you..."
Composure – the ability to keep one’s head – is one of the most important and challenging leadership attributes. George Washington demonstrated this attribute during the early years of the American Revolution. His ability to maintain composure and control after a series of military defeats during the New York Campaign of 1776 was critical to the ultimate American victory.
Composure requires a leader to be proficient at several key skills:
1. Accepting responsibility and taking control,
2. Responding decisively
3. Remaining visible
4. Projecting a positive attitude.
