Last week I spoke about why it’s so hard to be a leader. I also gave you a quick assessment to see how you’re doing. If you want to read that article click here.
This week I’m getting a bit more practical by looking at the areas you need to be thinking about to get past the hard parts and begin working on yourself.
So here is a listicle – 10 characteristics of good leaders together with suggestions on how you can build these traits for yourself. I’m sure it will spark your thinking and awareness.
1. Good leaders are visionary
A visionary is able to look into the future, even in the midst of uncertainty, and set audacious for their business. At the same time they need to get their team going in the right direction so that they have a clear idea of what success looks like.
A visionary leader is inspiring and motivating. You want to see it in their eyes – that spark of excitement and possibility.
How to become a visionary leader:
Start by thinking about your long-term vision for yourself, your business and your team . What do you want to achieve? What does success look like? What will be different when you’ve achieved that success?
Once you have a clear vision, share it with your team and ask for their input. The best leaders are those who can articulate their vision clearly and get others on board.
2. Good leaders exude confidence
Good leaders believe in themselves and in their ability to get the job done, even when the odds are against them. They trust their team and their ability to solve problems and overcome obstacles. The confidence of the leader inspires others to have confidence too.
How to become a more confident leader:
Believing in yourself is the first step to getting others to believe in you. When you’re faced with a challenging situation, don’t shy away from it – embrace it. Always remember that you have the power to influence and inspire others by confronting challenges boldly and overcoming them.
Facing and overcoming challenges builds confidence. Shying away from challenges reduces confidence.
3. Good leaders are decisive
Good leaders can quickly assess a situation and know what needs to be done. They make decisions quickly. They don’t second-guess themselves or waste time dithering. Decisive action often assists them in growing their career and life journey. It impacts their team who can also move forward quickly as a result of their decisions.
How to become a more decisive leader:
Trust your instincts. When you’re faced with a decision, gather as much information as you can and then go with your gut. Don’t be afraid to make decisions quickly. People rely on your quick decision and action. The more practice you have, the easier it will become. You can always change course based on the results you get. Waiting to have all the information before making a decision means that you become the bottleneck in your business.
4. Good leaders are passionate
Great leaders are passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. They believe in their cause and are committed to making an impact. When you believe in something and are able to communicate that passion to others, it’s contagious. People are drawn to leaders who have a strong sense of purpose and who are energetic.
How to become a more passionate leader:
Find a cause you believe in. It could be something as simple as empowering your team to be their best. It could also be about making life better and easier for your clients or it could be adding a CSI initiative to your business to make a broader difference.
Once you’ve found your cause, let your passion shine through in everything you do.
5. Good leaders are honest and transparent
Leaders who are honest and transparent are able to gain the trust and respect of their team. They create an environment where others feel safe to be themselves and to share their ideas. And that’s how growth happens! It’s not always easy but definitely key to great leadership.
How to become a more honest and transparent leader:
Be open and honest with your team about your thoughts and feelings, not just what’s going on in the business. Share your decision-making process and don’t try to hide your mistakes – own up to them and learn from them. This is how you build trust and role model leadership for your team.
6. Good leaders are inspiring
Inspiring leaders can see people’s potential and empower them to reach it fully. They believe in their team and trust their ability to solve problems, ask questions and deliver. They’re focused on their team’s well-being and are able to motivate them to be their best.
How to become a more inspiring leader:
Start by sharing your own stories of struggle and success with your team. These stories will let them see that anything is possible if they set their minds to it. Then, start highlighting the successes of your team members. When people feel appreciated, they will take action to achieve even more.
7. Good leaders see multiple perspectives
Seeing the big picture is important to step back from the details and see your situation in a different way. Good leaders understand how their actions impact others and the broader business. A broad view allows them to think long-term and make better decisions.
How to develop multiple perspectives:
Take the time to step back and assess the situation from a different perspective. Seek other viewpoints and see what you can learn from them. Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions. You can also broaden your perspective by learning about other cultures and ways of life.
8. Good leaders are continuously learning
The best leaders are always learning. They understand that the more they know the more they need to learn. never content to stay where they are—and are always looking for ways to improve. The desire to learn lets them keep up with the latest trends and find new and better ways to do things.
How to be continuously learning:
A good start would be to set aside time each day to learn something new. It could be anything from reading an article, listening to an audiobook or podcast to taking an online course. Make yourself a habit of continuous learning so find a way to fit it into your schedule and stick to it. What works for me is listening to a book or podcast when I run, this way I’m doing 2 things that are good for me at the same time.
9. Good leaders are flexible
In these times where change, uncertainty and a fast pace are a fact of life, adaptability is an essential quality. While change can be scary, it’s important to expect it, embrace it and flow with it, continuing to monitor and adjust your plans as you go along. In this way, you get to take advantage of new opportunities and find creative solutions to problems.
How to become a more flexible leader:
Being open to change is key. When something happens that requires you to change your plans, you may find yourself initially resisting it. You may find yourself getting frustrated that you need to rethink your plan or system but don’t resist it – embrace it. Think of the opportunities this change can bring.
You can also start looking for ways to be more flexible in your thinking. An exercise to play with is to take a challenge and first, think of your initial approach, the thing you’d most obviously do. Then ask yourself what would be the exact opposite of that. And as a third option, find a solution that is in the middle of the first two you just thought of. This exercises flexibility of thinking to get you into the habit of exploring different perspectives.
10. Good leaders are grateful
Leaders who are grateful for what they have are more likely to be successful. They understand that they’re lucky to be in the position they’re in and that their success is due, in part, to the help of others. This gratitude motivates them to give back and inspire others to achieve their goals.
How to become a more grateful leader:
Take time to appreciate what you have. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. Then, start expressing your gratitude to the people who have been there for you. Let them know how much you appreciate their support. Getting into a habit of connecting with gratitude is life-changing.
There are probably more characteristics of good leaders. The journey to greatness is ongoing, but the 10 characteristics of a good leader listed here are what I’ve seen as some of the most important. If you start working on these traits and create habits around them, with time and practice, you’ll develop the capability you need to lead confidently and effectively.
And as always, here’s a question for you:
Which are your 3 strongest areas and which are your 3 weakest?
You guessed it… Give yourself a score out of 10 for each of these areas and you’ll be able to answer this question more easily.
To download a free worksheet (pdf) of these qualities, click here
I’d love to hear from you!
In which areas do you need to develop yourself as a leader?
Let me know which areas you find most challenging and we can have a conversation…