Create Your Best MBA Application

What are the crucial characteristics of effective leadership? The MBA experience is filled with excellent examples to study and learn from, but an MBA won’t give you the exact answer to this question. What you will soon see, if you haven’t already, is that you have to answer this question for yourself. There isn’t a “best way” to lead, and contrary to the many books written on the topic…no one can tell you how you should lead.

So then what should you do? First understand that leadership is much more of an art than it is a science. It isn’t so much about what you do, but instead how you do it. The good news about this is you can use your own characteristics of effective leadership in almost any way you like. The bad news is this still leaves the question open to lots of interpretation. Here is some help to be sure you are most effective in your leadership role.

One of the main characteristics of effective leadership is clarity around the impact you want to make. If you are going to lead any group in any direction you must have your own picture of where you are going. Take the time to understand how your strengths will positively impact the situation you are in. Below are 6 simple questions to help you think through your leadership thoughts.

• Who will benefit from your impact? Who are your major stakeholders? Are they defined by race, gender, or social status? Your impact has a target audience and you must know who they are.
• What is your impact? What positive change is going to take place? Be specific on the difference you will make in the world of business.
• When will your impact happen? How will you

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