Qualities of a Successful Leader Having graduated College and receiving a diploma, it is now time to get a job. After taking Dr. Rossi’s class I am very inspired to pursue my goal of joining an entrepreneurial start up so that I can be part of a successful team and have the satisfaction of starting a business. The most important part of a business plan of success is the management team and the qualities they possess. There are so many qualities to look for in a business leader, but the three main qualities to possess are character, enthusiastic, and be committed to excellence. Because you are taking a great risk when you start a company, a great leader is a must, because they can set a direction of success for a team. Also an entrepreneurial startup can give you excitement for a lifetime if the leader possesses the right qualities. First of all, character is the most important of the qualities to possess as a leader. True authority comes out of the respect of your peers, and without respect there is no way that you can lead because being a good leader is someone who is a role model to others. Once you respect someone you that individual becomes inspirational to you and if that person is on the right path it is likely you will be too. To have character is to be trust worthy, live your life with integrity and honesty and to treat others the way you would like to be treated.
An individual who shows great character is Bill gates. Bill, who started with almost nothing, is now worth billions, he makes somewhere in the ball park of 2,000 dollars per minute. He had a rough start with people threating that he stole their idea and was a fraud. He worked through all the frustration and hardship, gained respect from his peers, and is now employing around 80,000 people and helping to support the economy. Despite that, the best way he has established his character was by starting the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation gives grants to help healthcare and poverty in the developing world, and to support high school education. Because Bill and Melinda, Bills wife, believe that every life has equal value and everyone should have equal opportunity to raise health awareness and also have the option to lift them and their family out of poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people especially those with the fewest resources, have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Therefore, Bill isn’t just helping America citizens; he is also helping developing countries and fulfilling his corporate social responsibility. Even though he had people trying to shut him down early in his career, he worked through those obstacles and is now giving back to the world.
In addition, enthusiasm is a very important quality of a leader in a management team. Enthusiasm is what makes an individual unique and creative. It is what defines a person’s passion and dedication to what they want to accomplish. If a person shows good enthusiasm, then they are inspirational to others and act as a motivator to the cause or action to be accomplished. Enthusiasm is a person who shows that they can have fun and still work hard when necessary.
For example, Walt Disney, is a very enthusiastic individual. First of all, he started Disney World, the most magical place on earth! When we think of Disney world, we think of happiness and excitement which is an understatement. However, Disney world was stated mainly by one man Walt, who created one fascinating soft spoken mouse. Everything about Walt and how he created Disney screams enthusiasm. For example, Walt has employees within the company who he calls imagineers, which is a mixture of imagining and engineering in order to think of new ideas to add to the park and how to improve existing rides and attractions within Disney World. Walt also created a studio and named it, Laugh-O-Gram studio. These kinds of creative names and ideas are why Walt was so successful, and his passion and enthusiasm even still continues today.
Lastly, another important quality that is needed in a leader is a commitment for excellence. Someone who believes if you are not first, you’re last! A leader who shows commitment for excellence is someone who wants to be number one and will do everything in their power to make sure that happens. With a commitment for excellence comes a person who is confident and inspires confidence in others and brings out trust and the best efforts of a team. Someone that can raise the bar and help others achieve their goals too.
Michael Dell who is the inventor of the Dell computers started with 1000 dollars in his bank account. He began by making computers in his dorm room. He did not have many resources nor did he have a factory to pump out computers. What he did have was a commitment for excellence, because he never gave up, despite resources and a dorm setting. What he did was make the computer to fit each individual’s needs; people would tell them what they wanted in a computer and he would customize that computer to that persons preferences. This was a win-win situation because everyone got exactly what they wanted and Michael saved money that way too. Beginning with one individual, now Dell is a billion dollar company that has created jobs for about 65,000 people.
Most important, all 3 of these individuals possess qualities that make them all leaders, I would be more than happy to have Walt, Michael, or Bill as the leader of a entrepreneurial start up. In Dr. Rossi’s class we have learned that once you are successful nationwide, it is important to do business globally, because it offers new challenges and if carried out properly can produce a load of income. All 3 have spread their business globally. Walt’s theme park Disney World was such a great theme park, it spread over seas to Pairs in which has become just as successful overseas as it is here in the United States of America. Michael is known world- wide and dell computers are sold just as commonly in the Europe and Asia, as it is sold in the United States. Also, what Bill patented, which is the software for every windows operating computer is sold worldwide, and continues to improve the processing speed of what comes in computers.
In conclusion, a great leader who possesses the right qualities can bring a business team to success. The most important part of a successful company is not the idea itself, but how you execute the idea and create a customer experience. There were many cartoons around when Walt was creating animations, however, Walt executed his very well and created an experience for his customers which lead to great success and a theme park larger than life, Disney World. In order to have a successful leader you need qualities such as, character, enthusiasm, and commitment of excellence. During an Entrepreneurial start up if a leader possess these important qualities, the rate of success will be very high.

Works cited
"Walt Disney Biography." Norsknettskole.no. Web. 28 Mar. 2011 .
"Bill Gates Biography." Biography.com. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. .
"Michael Dell Biography." Biography.com. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. .