Leadership Qualities That Make You A Good Leader

Effective leadership is built on a foundation of essential qualities such as integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. These leadership qualities, coupled with learning agility and adept influence, contribute to a leader’s ability to communicate a compelling vision, express gratitude, and foster collaboration within an organisation.

Contrary to common belief, leadership qualities are not innate but are developed through dedicated effort and perseverance. Successful leaders continuously refine their strengths by actively seeking opportunities to apply their skills, inviting constructive feedback, and adapting their approach as necessary.

We shall unpack more of this in our article below.

Why is Good Leadership Important?

Before delving into leadership qualities that define good leadership, it is crucial to acknowledge the substantial costs associated with poor leadership. Even before the onset of the Great Resignation during the COVID-19 pandemic, inadequate leadership has been proven to exact a toll on organisations, manifesting in reduced productivity and heightened employee turnover. Research from The Ken Blanchard Companies estimates that subpar leadership can diminish team member productivity by up to 7% (PDF Source).

Furthermore, bad leadership contributes to the alarming rise of employee burnout, a pervasive issue highlighted by Gallup research in June 2021. A staggering 74% of employees reported experiencing burnout on the job, and individuals facing burnout are 23% more likely to resort to emergency room visits. The impact on organisational loyalty is evident, as a 2021 report by The Predictive Index revealed that 63% of employees under poor management were contemplating leaving their positions within the next year.

The human costs of inadequate leadership extend beyond mere statistics, encompassing low employee morale and diminished job satisfaction. In essence, bad leaders become the deciding factor between a fulfilling job and one that prompts consideration of departure.

In stark contrast, proficient leaders yield numerous benefits for their teams and organisations as a whole. These advantages include heightened profitability, enhanced customer satisfaction, and improved employee retention. The stark contrast between the costs of bad leadership and the benefits of good leadership underscores the pivotal role effective leadership plays in organisational success.

What Makes For Good Leadership Qualities?

Drawing upon decades of research and extensive experience collaborating with leaders across diverse organisations globally, we have identified 12 essential leadership traits that consistently define the best leaders.

Self-Awareness

A foundational inward-focused trait, self-awareness and humility stand as paramount qualities in leadership. Understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses enhances leadership effectiveness. A deep exploration of the four aspects of self-awareness is crucial for strengthening each component.

Respect

Treating individuals with respect daily is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Beyond minimising tension and conflict, fostering trust is fundamental. Creating a culture of respect involves valuing diverse perspectives, contributing to the development of workplace belonging, and supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Compassion

Compassion, a powerful leadership act, extends beyond empathy and active listening. True compassion necessitates leaders to take meaningful action based on what they learn. This approach builds trust, encourages collaboration, and reduces turnover across organisations.

Vision

Motivating and securing commitment are integral leadership components. Purpose-driven leaders align their team’s tasks and individual values with the organisation’s overall direction. This connection fosters meaning in employees’ work, enhancing engagement, inspiring trust, and propelling priorities forward. Effective communication of the vision is key for understanding, retention, and widespread sharing.

Communication

Leadership effectiveness and communication are inseparable. Skilled leaders excel in various communication forms, from information transmission and storytelling to seeking input and employing active listening techniques. Proficient communication, both oral and written, across diverse backgrounds, roles, levels, and geographies directly influences the success of business strategy.

Learning Agility

Learning agility, the ability to navigate uncertainty, is crucial. Whether naturally adept or intentionally developed, learning agility is a hallmark of great leaders. Anyone can enhance this trait through deliberate practice and effort, as exceptional leaders are, above all, avid learners.

Collaboration

Effective leaders excel in collaborating with diverse colleagues across various social identities, locations, roles, and experiences. In our interconnected world, leaders navigate complex landscapes, bridging boundaries and organisational silos. Embracing collaboration within teams and cross-functionally yields numerous benefits, including heightened innovation, high-performing teams, and an engaged and empowered workforce.

Influence

Leadership entails the art of influencing others to achieve shared goals. Persuasion, when done thoughtfully and authentically, is a crucial trait of inspiring and effective leaders. Distinguished from manipulation, influence requires emotional intelligence and trust. Leaders who master the skill of influence enhance their ability to guide teams and drive success.

Integrity

Integral to both individual and organisational success, integrity is a fundamental leadership trait. Particularly crucial for top-level executives shaping a company’s course, leader integrity often becomes a blind spot. Reinforcing the importance of honesty and integrity at all managerial levels is essential to building a foundation of trust within the organisation.

Courage

Courage is a cornerstone of effective leadership, manifesting in the ability to speak up, voice new ideas, provide constructive feedback, and address concerns. Leaders fostering high levels of psychological safety empower their teams to express themselves freely, contributing to a coaching culture that values courage and truth-telling. Courage enables bold actions that drive positive change.

Gratitude

Expressing gratitude is a powerful leadership tool, associated with higher self-esteem, reduced depression and anxiety, and improved sleep. Despite its impact, gratitude is often underutilised in work settings. Effective leaders recognise the importance of showing frequent gratitude in the workplace, creating an environment where appreciation motivates teams to excel.

Resilience

Resilience transcends mere bounce-back from obstacles; it involves adaptive responses to challenges. Resilient leadership projects a positive outlook that strengthens emotional resilience within the team. Prioritising employee well-being and self-care, resilient leaders enable optimal performance from themselves and their teams, fostering a commitment to shared visions and the courage to overcome setbacks.

Core Beliefs about Leadership

Extensive research into leadership has yielded three fundamental beliefs about leadership and its development:

Leaders Are Made, Not Born

The prevailing perspective is that effective leaders are not inherently born with their leadership qualities; instead, leadership is a skill that can be cultivated. Through experiences, intentional effort, continuous learning, and adaptability, individuals can enhance and strengthen the characteristics of good leadership. Organisations play a pivotal role in this process by offering training opportunities, supporting learning from challenges, and facilitating access to coaching and mentoring programs.

Leadership Is a Social Process

The understanding of leadership extends beyond the notion of a singular, charismatic figure. Instead, leadership is viewed as a collaborative effort involving a group working collectively to achieve shared goals. Recognising and embodying the characteristics of good leadership is essential, but it is equally crucial to grasp the collaborative nature of leadership. Effective leadership is described as a social process that thrives on creating direction, alignment, and commitment within a group, emphasising the importance of collaboration and shared objectives.

Leadership Is a Continuous Journey

Leadership is not a static destination but an ongoing journey that demands consistent attention and effort throughout a career. Regardless of organisational level or industry, different teams, projects, and situations present diverse challenges requiring varied leadership qualities and competencies. Adapting, learning continuously, and growing is key to sustained leadership success. Being an agile learner is seen as essential for navigating a long and successful career in leadership.

How to Develop Leadership Qualities

Developing and practising good leadership qualities is a continuous journey that requires intentional effort. Here are some suggestions to help individuals embark on the path of leadership development:

• Test, Try, Improve: Initiate the journey by taking small actions or making subtle changes to test and try new approaches. Select one or two leadership qualities from the list and focus on them. Seek feedback from colleagues or friends to gain insights into your progress. For instance, if enhancing self-awareness is a goal, experiment with a different communication style in a meeting and solicit feedback to align perceptions.
• Develop a Support Network: Identify one or two individuals who can serve as mentors or accountability partners. Mentors provide diverse perspectives and insights, challenging your thoughts and actions. Accountability partners help maintain focus on predetermined plans. Approach someone you admire and ask them to be your mentor or accountability partner.
• Build Relationships: Effective leaders excel in building relationships. Start with small steps, such as engaging with one or two colleagues each week whom you don’t typically interact with. Gradually expand your network, fostering connections that contribute to a wide-ranging web of relationships within the workplace.
• Learn More About Good Leadership: Invest in your leadership education by taking courses or pursuing a degree program. Consider incorporating a concentration in leadership if you are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Continuous learning equips leaders with valuable insights, tools, and strategies to enhance their leadership capabilities.
• Set Goals and Track Progress: Establish clear, measurable goals related to the leadership qualities you wish to develop. Regularly assess your progress, celebrate achievements, and adjust your approach based on lessons learned. Having a structured plan and tracking your development ensures a systematic and purposeful growth trajectory.
• Embrace Feedback: Create a culture of feedback within your professional and personal circles. Actively seek constructive feedback, and be open to receiving it with a growth mindset. Feedback is a powerful tool for identifying areas of improvement and refining leadership skills.
• Attend Leadership Workshops and Conferences: Attend workshops and conferences focused on leadership development. These events provide opportunities to learn from experienced leaders, gain insights into emerging trends, and network with like-minded individuals.
• Read Widely on Leadership: Expand your knowledge by reading books, articles, and case studies on leadership. Learning from the experiences of successful leaders and staying informed about leadership theories and practices contributes to well-rounded leadership development.

What is Your Leadership Style?

Understanding your leadership style is a critical aspect of developing effective leadership qualities. Different situations may call for different styles, and being aware of your preferred approach can enhance your ability to lead. Here are some common leadership styles according to IMD:

• Transformational Leadership: Transformational leaders aim to inspire their teams to reach their full potential. This style works with positive change and progress, with leaders focusing on motivating and uplifting their team members.
• Delegative Leadership: Delegative leaders prefer a hands-off approach. They entrust tasks to their team, providing them with the autonomy needed to achieve their goals. This style relies on giving space for individual contributions.
• Authoritative Leadership: Often misunderstood as dictatorial, authoritative leaders serve as mentors who encourage their team to follow their example. This style involves providing guidance and direction while fostering a collaborative environment.
• Transactional Leadership: Also known as managerial leadership, this style relies on a structured approach, rewards positive behaviour and consequences for those falling short. It is commonly seen in corporate settings.
• Participative Leadership: Participative leaders invite team members to participate in decision-making processes actively. They value diverse opinions and consider input from the team before reaching a final decision.
• Servant Leadership: Servant leaders prioritise relationship building and focus on the needs of the group over personal preferences. This style focuses on serving others and fostering a supportive environment.

It’s common for individuals to exhibit a blend of these leadership styles rather than identifying with one exclusively. You’ll discover your unique leadership approach as you combine elements from different styles. Recognising and nurturing specific qualities within your leadership style can contribute to your effectiveness and impact as a leader. Adaptability and understanding when to apply different styles are essential for leadership success.

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