The idea of leadership is often misunderstood, especially in theinsurance industry.

In my 15 years of being an insurance agent, I rarely thought of myself asa leader. In my mind, I was “just an agent.” What a terriblemistake. That's because I didn't fully understand the truedefinition and role of leadership.

I thought that “true” leadership was awarded, appointed orassigned. I thought that leadership only came with an impressivetitle or position.

The reality is that none of those things are true.

If you have ethical influence with those around you then you area leader. If you don't, no title or position will make up for yourlack of influence. As the proverb says, “He who thinks heleads but has no followers is simply out taking a walk.”

Leadership comes in various shapes and sizes. Everyday you couldbe leading your family, your team, your prospects, yourclients, your community, or your neighbor. Leadership isinfluence.

So what are the traits of real leaders?

If leadership is influence, what are the traits that can helpyou become a better leader regardless if you are a CEO, VP, agencyprincipal, sales manager, producer, or service representative?

Here are 7 traits of authentic insurance leaders:

1. Character

The first test of any true leader is how they lead themselves.Before you can lead and influence anyone else, you must first beable to lead yourself. Character is influence.

2. Relationships

In today's fast and technological world, building authenticrelationships is often overlooked. Strong relationships arefoundational for any leader. Relationships are influence.

Related: 3 insurance tech trends for building customerrelationships in 2017

3. Knowledge

Knowledge won't make you a leader, but without it you can't leadeffectively. An influential leader has vision, an understanding offacts, and keeps up to date on industry changes. Knowledge isinfluence.

4. Intuition

Intuitiveness is hard to define, but is vital for any leader.You must know more than just facts and data to lead. You must beable to trust your “feelings” and act when your gut is telling youthat there is low energy, poor timing, or lost momentum. Intuitionis influence.

5. Experience

The more you experience, the more you can share. However, youcan't just experience each day, you must also spend time inreflection to turn that experience into insight. Evaluatedexperience allows you to add more value to those around you.Experience is influence.

6. Past success

Every win you have in your life in business builds credibilityand influence. People want to know what you have done and what youhave achieved. Small wins build into larger wins and give youmomentum. Past success is influence.

Related: Why goal-setting is essential tosuccess

7. Ability

Your followers want to know that you can help them. How can youmake their lives better? Demonstrating your ability to serve othersincreases your influence. You may be helping an employee, solving a problem for your client, or addingpremium growth with a partner company. Ability is influence.

Leadership is often misunderstood, but that does not reduce itsimpact. If you have influence (and you do), you are a leader. Applyand improve upon these seven traits of leadership to your life andbusiness and increase your influence. The world and the insuranceindustry needs your leadership now more than ever.

Brent M. Kelly is keynote speaker,trainer, coach, and certified partner with the John Maxwell Team.He provides inspirational and purposeful business growth forinsurance professionals. You can connect with him at www.brentmkelly.com or email himat [email protected].