Being a leader. Many times we think that having the title of leader means that you have to wait until it is bestowed upon you or that you have built up your resume and talents to be allowed to posses the title. But neither of these things is the actual way that it is supposed to work.
To give an example, in my nine to five job, after working for many years I was finally able to be promoted to supervisor. As soon as I had received the title, people came to me almost immediately asking for direction and answers. When I would look at them with a blank stare or admit that I had no idea, they would respond with, “Well you are a supervisor now, so you should know.”
The point of the story is that just because you are given a title, it does not automatically bestow you with all of the knowledge and wisdom of that position. Most of that is learned over time and sometimes, at least for some people it may never be learned. The same holds true for people who are given the title of leader. Just because they are given that title, it does not mean that they know what they are doing or that they are even a leader.

A leader is someone who takes charge. They are an organizer. They act in the best interest of everyone involved. A leader sees the big picture and delegates duties to others based upon that big picture. They are an organizer who sees what others need to be doing and directs them in the best actions. A leader also takes interest in those on his team and builds a rapport with them.
A true leader doesn’t need to announce that they are in charge or that they make the rules. A true leader is someone who will treat their team with respect and act in the best way, not seeking notoriety or demanding respect. They will be someone who people will be willing to follow out of respect.
The best way to become a leader is to be an organizer. See the big picture of what you want to accomplish. Share that picture or vision with others. Then go about your work, instructing your employees as needed and organizing their activities and delegating work to them. When needed, take an interest in them as people and their issues.
It doesn’t take much to be a leader, you just need to swallow your pride and put others first, helping them to see your vision and guiding them. You don’t receive it simply because you were given a title or because you demand it, you receive it out of compassion and out of respect. But you do have to learn what the answers are or at least how to find the answers when you need them. You will make mistakes along the way, everyone does, even great leaders. But the key to a great leader is admitting when you have made a mistake and correcting it, this will gain you respect from your employees and make you a leader they will want to follow.