Are You an Irresistible Leader?

In his recent article 3 Keys to Becoming Irresistible, John Gorman describes three characteristics that, “when taken together, create a spellbinding supernova of a person — one who can command a room and control their destiny, one who can be both altruistic and intelligent.”Even though the examples he gives describe special people that he “adores,” they are the very qualities that we encourage leaders to cultivate to succeed in their careers and professional relationships. These characteristics may be natural to some people, but more often need to be learned and nurtured. The good news is that, once recognized as essential leadership skills, an aware person can learn and refine these qualities, leading to better relationships of all kinds.
So, what are these three keys to being irresistible?
Humility.  The willingness to recognize that there is always more to learn. That there may be more perspectives than just yours. And that those perspectives may be even more “right” than yours. Humility is the absence of entitlement. A true leader doesn’t lead by position, but rather by purpose. Humility is the natural response as we value others, recognize our interconnectedness, and bear witness to the wondrous and fragile beauty of life.
Curiosity. “Curiosity drives an insatiable quest for knowledge, culture, novelty, experience, beauty, art and connection.” Leaders use their curiosity to drive innovation, encourage engagement and cultivate leadership in others. Rather than always having the “right answers,” effective leaders have compelling questions. Curiosity and inquiry can lead to better long-term solutions than off the cuff answers or unexamined biases. As with humility, an open mind and willingness to see things with “new eyes” are required.
Empathy. People need to know that their leaders can relate and truly care about them. Empathy does not mean that you necessarily agree or hold the same perspective as others. But the willingness to step into another’s experience and understand how they feel is the foundation for connection and rapport. It is an important precursor for honesty, which can foster trust, which in turn is essential for functional and productive relationships.
As Gorman points out, combined, these three traits amplify each other. Missing one or more component, and the magic is diminished. 1. Which of these 3 is most natural to you? 2. What quality do you want/need to cultivate more in yourself?  3. What will that take?