What does it take to be a great leader?
I often ask participants in leadership development programs to identify the characteristics of a good leader. This is usually a pretty easy activity. Some of the words they list on a flip chart include honesty, integrity, care about others, help employees, confidence, positive attitude, charisma, ability to communicate their vision, inspiring, motivating, leading by example, creativity, and innovation.
Who do you know or know about that has all of these characteristics?
The answer is no one. No one has all of these qualities. Not all of these qualities are needed to be effective. However, everyone can come up with a list of good leaders with some of these characteristics.
Below are five best characteristics of a great leader:
You can lead yourself first.
You are clear about your personal and professional goals, can communicate that vision, are focused on continuous self-improvement, are willing to take criticism and receive feedback, choose a positive attitude every day, and can manage your emotions in all situations. You hold yourself accountable and make decisions with integrity. If you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead others.
You can communicate your vision.
Leaders must not only create the vision for the success of an organization but also identify the path to achieve those goals. If you are not able to clearly communicate that vision, you can’t lead a team to success. You take the time to make sure that your body language, your tone, and your words are working together to communicate your message.
You leverage strengths.
You have identified your own strengths as well as those of your team and know how to leverage those strengths for the best results. You recognize opportunities for improvement and balance tasks and responsibilities accordingly. You understand that you don’t have to be the “expert” in everything your team does and you allow others to shine.
You exude confidence.
You know how to be confident without being arrogant. People trust you because you are willing to make decisions and stand by them while listening to others’ opinions. You stay calm in difficult situations, and you focus on solving problems.
You choose a positive attitude every day.
You don’t always feel positive, but as Dr. Phil says, “Behave your way to success.” There are days when you don’t feel like showing up when you don’t want to be positive, and when you don’t want to be professional. You put your feelings aside, shake them off, and choose to be positive anyway. You lead the energy and attitude of your team.
Conclusion
In conclusion, leadership is not defined by titles or positions but by the qualities and actions of individuals. While no one possesses all the ideal characteristics of a great leader, five key attributes stand out: the ability to lead oneself, effectively communicate vision, leverage strengths, exude confidence, and maintain a positive attitude. These traits are essential for anyone aspiring to be an effective leader, regardless of their formal organizational title.
True leadership is about inspiring and guiding others towards a shared goal. This can be achieved by focusing on personal growth, clear communication, recognizing and utilizing team members’ strengths, projecting confidence without arrogance, and consistently choosing a positive outlook. By cultivating these qualities, individuals can become influential leaders in any setting, contributing to the success of their teams and organizations.
Ultimately, great leadership is not about perfection, but about continuous improvement and the willingness to positively impact those around you. By striving to embody these five characteristics, anyone can develop their leadership potential and make a meaningful difference in their personal and professional spheres.