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By Dr Brighton Chireka

Leaders are not born, they are made. Anyone can develop the skills necessary to be an effective leader with the right mindset and approach in driving successful patient outcomes. However effective leadership requires more than just a knack for decision-making and strong communication – it involves a mastery of certain core tenets. The 30 Cs of Leadership outlines these essential concepts, equipping you with the knowledge necessary to lead your team or department to success. In this blog post I will take an in-depth look at each ‘C’ – from clarity and character to contribution and continuous learning- so that you can evolve into the leader your team needs and deserves. Lead confidently alongside us!

1. Clarity – The first C stands for clarity. As a leader, it is important that your vision and goals are crystal clear to those around you. You need to make sure that everyone on your team understands exactly what needs to be done and how they can work together in order to achieve it. Clarity also means being precise when giving instructions or delegating tasks so that there is no room for confusion or misinterpretation. 
2. Character— The second C stands for Character. A leader must have character in order for their team members to respect them. This includes being someone of integrity who is honest and trustworthy. Your team needs to know that they can rely on you to do what is right, even when it’s difficult.
3. Credibility: A leader must be credible in order for their team members to trust them. This means being honest and transparent with your team so that they know you have their best interests at heart. 
4. Charisma: A leader must have charisma in order to inspire others to follow them. This does not mean that a leader has to be extroverted or outgoing; it simply means that they must be able to connect with others and make them believe in the vision of the team or organization. 
5. Compassion: A leader must have compassion in order to understand and empathize with their team members. This is especially important when someone on the team is going through a difficult time. By showing compassion, a leader can build trust and loyalty within their team. 
6. Competence – Competence is key when it comes to leading effectively. As a leader, you need to have the skills and knowledge necessary in order to lead your team successfully. This means being well-versed in different aspects of management such as decision making, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution and more. Having a good understanding of these areas will help you make better decisions which will ultimately lead your team towards success. 
7. Communication: A leader must be able to communicate effectively in order to get their point across clearly and concisely. This includes being a good listener as well as being able to give clear instructions when needed.
8. Commitment —Commitment means staying true course even through adversity; this quality helps leaders stay determined despite obstacles they might face during times of difficulty . A committed leader is willing to take ownership over issues even if they are unpleasant , allowing followers feel secure knowing that their concerns are taken seriously .
9. Consistency: Consistent behavior by leaders sets an example for others within the organization who look up them for guidance and direction; this consistency establishes trust among those being led that their leader is reliable regardless of what situation arises . Leaders must strive towards consistency not only in words but also actions so that those being led can depend on them no matter what challenges may arise along the way . 
10. Concentrate: As a leader, it is important to stay focused on the big picture while also attending to details of operations on a day-to-day basis. Leaders should be able to prioritize tasks and concentrate on what needs immediate attention while keeping an eye on long-term goals. This requires being organized and focusing on tasks that matter most in order for teams or organizations as a whole succeed. 
11. Common Sense: Having common sense means understanding how people think and act in different situations, which allows leaders to make sound decisions based on experience or intuition rather than relying solely on facts or data. Common sense also helps leaders anticipate problems before they arise so that solutions can be found quickly if necessary. 
12. Creativity: Creativity is key when it comes problem solving in any field or industry. Leaders must use their creativity when faced with difficult situations in order for them to come up with innovative solutions that can help move organizations forward rather than relying solely on traditional methods of problem solving which may not always yield desired results. 
13. Consideration: An effective leader must be considerate of others’ feelings when making decisions or taking action within an organization. Consideration includes understanding how different individuals may react differently depending on their own personal experiences which helps leaders better relate with others while still maintaining authority within the workplace setting. It also involves showing respect for others’ opinions even if they differ from one’s own views or beliefs in order for everyone involved feel valued within the organization structure. 
14. Courage : Courageous leaders are not afraid take risks when necessary ; this trait enables them make bold decisions without fear repercussions . Courageous leaders often inspire confidence among those under them , giving them courage tackle challenging tasks head-on instead shying away from tough choices . 
15. Confidence : Confident leaders project positive energy onto those around them; this quality gives followers assurance that their leader knows what he/she doing , encouraging them take initiative instead second-guessing themselves .   
16. Cultivate: A leader must be able to cultivate relationships with their team members in order to build trust and respect. This requires being genuine and authentic with your team so that they feel comfortable coming to you with problems or concerns. 
17. Coach : Leaders should act as coaches for their teams by providing guidance and support so that everyone can reach their full potential . 
18. Culture – Culture is the backbone of any successful organization. Leaders should be mindful of the culture they’re creating in their workplace—and strive to ensure it’s one that fosters collaboration, creativity, and inclusion. 
19. Candid: A leader must be candid with their team members in order to build trust and respect. This means being open and honest about your thoughts and feelings so that your team knows where you stand on issues. 
20. Collaborate: A leader must be able to collaborate with their team members in order to achieve common goals. This includes being able to compromise when necessary and working together towards a common goal. 
21. Congruency: A leader must be congruent with their words and actions in order to build trust within their team. This means that if you say you’re going to do something, you need to follow through on it. Your team needs to know that they can count on you to do what you say you’re going to do. 
22. Caring: A leader must care about their team members in order for them to feel valued and appreciated. This means taking an interest in their lives both inside and outside of work so that they know you care about them as people, not just employees.
23. Complement: A leader must complement their team members’ strengths in order for the team to be successful as a whole. This includes playing to each individual’s strengths so that the entire team can benefit from everyone’s unique talents and abilities.
24. Conflict Resolution– A leader must be able to resolve conflicts within the team in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
25. Critical Thinking- A leader must be able to critically think in order to make sound decisions in the best interest of their team.
26. Change Management – One key skill for leaders is the ability to effectively manage change. This means being able to identify opportunities for improvement or growth and then creating plans to make those changes happen. It also involves being able to think strategically about how those changes will affect your team or organization as a whole. In order to successfully manage change, leaders must have strong communication skills and be able to adjust their strategies as needed. 
27. Curiosity – Leaders should always have an inquisitive nature when it comes to their work. They should be constantly asking questions about what is working well and what needs improvement in order to stay ahead of the competition. Being curious also allows leaders to explore new ideas and possibilities that may not have been considered before. This can help them come up with creative solutions that could ultimately help their organization succeed.
28. Cooperation – Leaders need to be able to effectively collaborate with others in order to reach their goals. This involves being able to listen actively and understand different points of view while still maintaining a sense of respect for everyone involved in the process. Additionally, cooperative leaders are open-minded and willing to compromise when necessary in order to achieve success together. 
29. Contribution – Leaders should strive not only for personal success but also for the success of those around them by inspiring others through their actions and example. They should take ownership of projects they are responsible for by contributing their full effort towards achieving results that benefit both themselves personally and their team as a whole .Finally ,leaders should recognize individual contributions from members on their teams in order to create an environment where everyone feels valued . 
30. Continuous Learning – A leader’s job is never done; it’s important that they stay informed about current trends and developments in their industry so they can remain at the top of their game . To do this ,leaders need develop lifelong learning habits such as reading industry publications ,attending conferences ,and taking advantage of online resources like webinars or podcasts .This type learning helps them stay ahead of the curve so they can anticipate potential obstacles or opportunities before they arise .  

Conclusion

Becoming a great leader takes hard work but understanding these 30 Cs can help guide you on your journey towards becoming an effective leader who inspires those around them while driving positive change within organizations or teams. Cultivating these qualities will help strengthen relationships between leaders and followers alike while allowing everyone involved in reach success together! By cultivating these qualities – such as courage, charisma communication capacity candid credibility caring compassion coach creativity considerate common sense consistency clarity concentrate complement collaborate congruency competence confidence – every leader can become more successful than ever before!