To shine as a successful leader an individual needs intelligence, imagination, verbal faculty or power of expression, organizational capacity, dynamic attributes like drive, speed of decision, urge and motivation, favourabe social qualities like friendliness, cheerfulness, sense of reasonability, co-operative attribute and understanding, and finally the ability to influence others. Fortunately all these leadership characteristics can be readily and easily acquired by any keen aspirant. But the basic, fundamental requirement which serves as the very foundation for leadership and success is the positive mental attitude. The individual first should think and believe that he can succeed in life. He must view life with hope and optimism. He must have confidence in himself and faith in his abilities. On the other hand negative, anti-social, pessimistic temperament is the greatest drawback to success. Organizations, establishments,in ternational firms, Government administrative cadres, defence Forces and so on, are therefore keen to select only positive, dynamic and success- oriented individuals to fill their managerial and officer posts.
Individuals with a positive mental make-up will prove to be a great asset to any undertaking, organization, institution or co-operative endeavor. He or she will contribute towards its harmonious growth and prosperity. A defeatist, negative-oriented, pessimist on the other hand will crate tensions, mis - derstandings, friction and disharmony in the organization and eventually account for its downfall. Several tests are therefore conducted during interviews and selections, to identify the positive or negative mental attitude of the candidates and ensure the selection of the former and exclusion of the latter. The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) or story-writing technique is the most popular and effective of the tests now in vogue. Here the candidate is to observe a picture for 30 seconds to a minute and write a story revolving around the scene within five minutes. To test your own outlook please observe the picture for one minute and write a story relating to it in about five minutes. Thereafter compare your story with those written by some candidates during actual tests along with the comments of the experts. You will then know where you stand and how you should eliminate your weak points if any and make full use of your strong points.