Everyone has the capacity to become a leader but only a few can become a great one. Whether you are managing a group of staff members to grow your business or have led your way up the corporate ladder, the path to good leadership is known to be a very difficult one.
We all have good and bad experiences however, only a great leader can unite the team and point out the way to success, no matter what situation they are currently facing.
It is human nature to strive for a better tomorrow and in order for you to achieve better outcomes in business and become a better leader in the process, you should take note of the different qualities that a good leader must possess or strive to develop.
The Qualities of a Good Leader
Accountable. A good leader will take responsibility for the performance of every member of the team, as well as their personal performance. When things go as planned and success is achieved, good leaders are quick to praise the contribution of every member. However, if challenges may arise, good leaders take the time to analyse the situation, identify the cause of the problem, find possible solutions and get the team to work together and help get back on track.
Committed. There is no greater example of a committed leader than to get one’s hand dirty, together with the rest of the team. They must become the role model that the members look upon, a good example for them to imitate. Doing this will help you earn the respect of your team and encourage them to strive harder to achieve the goal.
If you set a good example to your members, you will gain their trust and commitment too. For instance, you cannot expect your team to work overtime if you are always late to work and eager to go home before the shift ends. You should blaze the trail where they can follow.
Good communicator. The success of any endeavour is only possible if there is good communication between all parties involved. Without a clear understanding of the importance of good communication, team members will not be able to grasp the vision, mission and goals you have set for the venture.
Good leaders are often good communicators. This is further enhanced by being consistent in establishing work expectations and giving constructive evaluations. If leaders can clearly communicate with their team members the reason why they should work hard and what it is for, the next possible destination can only be a success.
Certitude. Good leaders are driven and focused on the goal that is ahead of them. Instead of viewing a situation on a narrow viewpoint, good leaders view a situation as a whole so as to afford them a solution to their issues.
Confident. Let’s face the truth. There are just some days when things are not going your way or the road to success doesn’t seem reachable. Every venture has experienced this kind of challenge at some point in the journey and this is not something out of the ordinary. However, it is the responsibility of good leaders to keep the team spirit alive and burning, no matter how many setbacks are encountered along the way. By staying confident and calm, the members of the team will be able to fully trust you.
Creative. In every venture, there is always a challenge and it is the responsibility of the leader to guide the team and look for solutions or answers. In some cases, thinking outside the box is the key to finding what you need.
Leaders can organise a brainstorming session where each member contributes ideas and the team helps to build upon them. When leaders acknowledge the contribution of each member, they will feel acknowledged and be able to comprehend their importance in the company. This will help to encourage them to work harder and perhaps, work with more passion!
Delegation. No matter what the situation is, good leaders often understand that they cannot accomplish everything all on their own, which is why it is important to delegate various tasks to members who are more than able to accomplish them. Proper delegation of tasks shows how well the leader knows their members and as a result, the morale of the team will be high. This is the type of work environment where team members feel important and honoured.
Empathetic. Putting yourself in someone’s shoes is a noble thing to do and this is something that extraordinary leaders tend to do. Aside from looking after their own feelings, leaders should also look out for the feelings of their team members. Challenges always come our way and taking things personally or blaming individuals is not a constructive way of addressing issues. Instead, leaders should look on the bright side and lead the team towards resolution.
Enthusiastic. Since leaders are expected to serve as role models, they must show enthusiasm in everything that they do. If their team members can openly see this, it will serve as motivation and inspiration, leading them closer to what they want to achieve.
Honesty. This is one of the defining qualities of a good leader. Because leaders are tasked to manage a team, they must be ethical and straightforward. As always, they must lead by example so that their members follow their lead.
Inspiring. Uniting a group to work on a common goal is not easy. It takes more than intelligence and firmness. Above all, good leaders must be inspiring to their team members. This is especially true if the team morale is low. It is the responsibility of leaders to raise up their spirits, give words of encouragement and motivate them to set their sights on the goal.
Optimistic. Aside from becoming a source of inspiration, leaders must set an example and stay optimistic no matter what trials and tribulations the team is facing. If team members are feeling down or struggling, leaders should find ways to cheer them up and help them with their struggles.
Responsible. Good leaders are given the task to lead a team to accomplish something. Attached to this privilege is a great deal of responsibility. Their management skills are a crucial factor in the success or failure of their endeavour. Good leaders do not make excuses and do not blame individuals when things do not go as planned. Instead, they focus on solving the problem.
Although there are more qualities that we have not mentioned here, these qualities make up a good foundation of what good leaders are supposed to be. These characteristics can be innate or developed if you are up for it.
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