# How to become a leader. A guide to the world of leadership

Алексей Сабадырь

The world of leadership answers the question: «What does it mean to be a leader?».You will learn about the qualities of a leader, self-knowledge, emotional intelligence, effective communication, goal setting, stress management and delegation. We will look at how to build a strong team, develop your personal brand and create a sustainable future.This book is not just a theory, but a practical guide with exercises and tools that will help you turn your potential into leadership qualities.

© Алексей Сабадырь, 2025


ISBN 978-5-0064-4822-3

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

Chapter 1: Who are you and what does it mean to be a leader?


In today’s fast-paced, challenging world, leadership is becoming increasingly important. But what does it really mean to be a leader?


This book is a guide through the maze of leadership, where together we will understand the key principles, identify your own leadership potential and learn how to apply it in practice.


Definition of leadership:


Leadership is not just a position or status, it is the ability to inspire, direct and motivate others to achieve a common goal.


A leader is a person who takes responsibility, makes decisions and leads, creating positive change.


Different types of leaders:


There are many leadership styles, from authoritarian to democratic. Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice is based on understanding your own personality and specific challenges.


Your personal understanding of leadership:


Before we delve into the principles of leadership, it is important to ask yourself a few important questions:


What does it mean to you to be a leader?

What qualities should a leader have?

How do you see yourself as a leader?

The main qualities of a leader:


Regardless of the leadership style, there are certain traits that are considered key:


Vision: a leader must have a clear vision of the future and confidently lead the team to achieve it.


Communication: effective communication is the basis of leadership. A leader must be able to convey his or her thoughts to the team in a clear and inspiring way.


Responsibility: a leader takes responsibility for the team’s actions and is ready to make decisions in difficult situations.


Empathy: a leader must be able to understand the feelings and motivations of his or her subordinates in order to create a trusting relationship.


Motivation: a leader must be able to ignite passion and inspire the team to achieve maximum results.


Flexibility: today’s world requires a leader to be able to quickly adapt to changing conditions and changes in strategy.


Developing leadership qualities:


Leadership is not an innate quality, but the result of hard work, self-development and continuous learning.


The path of leadership can be challenging and unpredictable, but it is also inspiring and meaningful.


Start by understanding the qualities of a leader and your own, and you will be on your way to achieving great things.


Chapter 2: Developing leadership skills


We will cover the fundamental principles that will help you lay a solid foundation for developing the leadership skills you need.


1. Self-Awareness: the path to realizing your potential:


The first step to becoming a leader is to deeply understand yourself. Understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs. Ask yourself the following questions:


What motivates you? What makes you excited to get up in the morning?


What are your values? What is important to you in life and work?


What are your strengths? What are you especially good at?


What skills do you need to develop? Where do you feel insecure?


2. Developing emotional intelligence: the key to understanding others:


Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. A high EQ helps a leader build trusting relationships, communicate effectively, and motivate a team.


3. Listening skills: an integral part of effective communication:


A leader must not only speak, but also be a good listener.


Active listening allows you to understand the point of view of others, create an atmosphere of trust and find compromises.


4. Goal setting: the path to success:


A leader must have a clear vision of the future and confidently lead the team to achieve it. It is important to be able to set realistic goals, develop an action plan and monitor progress.


5. Developing critical thinking: the basis for effective problem solving:


Critical thinking helps a leader analyze information, identify problems and make informed decisions. It is important to be able to look at a situation from different angles and choose the most effective path.


6. Ability to work in a team:


Leadership does not exist in a vacuum. A leader must be able to create a team, build effective relationships with team members and delegate responsibility.


7. Managing stress and emotional stability:


Leadership is a responsible and often stressful job.


It is important to be able to manage stress, maintain emotional stability and not lose control in difficult situations.


Developing leadership skills is an ongoing process. It is important not to stop at what has been achieved, to constantly learn and develop, to seek new knowledge and experience.


Chapter 3: Speak, listen, and inspire


A leader must not only be able to express themselves clearly and concisely, but also be able to listen, understand, and inspire their team.


We will delve into the art of effective communication – the key to successful leadership.


1. Expressing your thoughts clearly:


Clarifying your thoughts: Avoid ambiguous phrases, use simple and understandable language, and structure your speech logically.


Using body banguage: your facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice can enhance or distort your message. Make sure your body language matches your words.


Active listening: show the other person that you are listening, ask questions, and rephrase what they are saying to make sure you understand.


2. Listening with understanding:


Focusing on the other person: put your thoughts aside and focus on what the other person is saying.