What Makes a Great Leader?

How do you define a great leader? Is it someone who makes appropriate decisions in

crucial times, or someone who isn’t afraid to express their opinions fearlessly?

A great leader is defined by their attitude towards challenging circumstances and their

ability to reshape others’ minds and broaden their perspectives.

A great leader has similar characteristics to an ordinary person, but there is a thin line

making them stand out. They have extraordinary solutions to ongoing challenges,

making them successful in challenging conditions. As one of Turkiye’s ancestors

demonstrated, surrounding the opponent in a crescent shape allowed the Ottoman

Empire to gain advantage in battle.This strategy not only required military strength but

also courage to take risks, foresight and adaptability under challenging circumstances.

A great leader can predict challenges and turn them into advantages. Similarly, in

today’s world, leaders who can foresee difficulties often rise during crises by turning

them into advantages. For instance, a great leader can adapt to challenging situations

and find beneficial solutions. A great leader can be defined by their reaction and

solutions to challenging circumstances such as economic crisis or a society beginning

to decay. They tend to make strategic decisions during the period of crisis, making them

turn themselves from a disadvantaged position to an advantaged position.

Not only standing out in public with their decisions and actions but also with the way

they think, and being an inspiration for others are some characteristics of a great leader

too. With their thoughts, they reshape others’ opinions causing them to be and act

relatively mature. For instance, Atatürk reshaped how citizens thought about women’s

rights, contributing to the development and improvement of women’s rights. Atatürk

didn’t hesitate while proposing the argument of women’s rights, leading us to draw a

conclusion: great leaders have the ability to change others’ minds and contribute to the

development of their country.

Do you believe you have what it takes to be a great leader?