Stop for a minute and think about the great leaders that have influenced your life. Some of them may have been your first boss while others you may have met through religious or community organizations. Chances are that these great leaders all shared nine attributes in common.
- Active Learners
Very few people start out at the top of the leadership chain. Instead, great leaders spend time learning everything they can about situations. Then, they spend time analyzing the facts and assembling them in ways that make sense for the organization. They do not accept defeat easily, but they realize that not every decision they make is going to be correct. They analyze their mistakes so that they can learn from them.
- Charisma
Great leaders have very charismatic personalities. When working with others, they are truly present in the moment. When employees or volunteers working under them talk to them, they show that they are truly listening. Charismatic leaders often use I statements to show that they understand what those under them are saying.
- Courage
Socrates and Aristotle saw courage as the most important virtue that a person could obtain in their lifetime. They defined courage as the ability to act wisely in the face of danger. Courageous leaders make a personal commitment to taking on difficult tasks, and they see tasks through to completion. They are not afraid to run into the face of a problem nor do they waste time blaming others.
- Dependability
Great leaders show up before others and are often there long after most people have gone home. They do not let other tasks or problems stand in the way of achieving the main goal. These leaders are committed to encouraging others to be dependable as well. Owners and shareholders can count on these individuals to make the right decision allowing them to worry about other aspects of running a successful business.
- Flexibility
Great leaders understand the main objective that must be achieved. Therefore, they are not thrown off when something does not happen correctly. Instead of accepting defeat, they quickly rebound allowing them to achieve the goal in a different way. Leaders recognize that things that happen unexpectedly can sometimes work to their advantage, so they instantly start looking for the reward that might be present in the obstacle.
- Integrity
Great leaders do not care who is watching them because they are going to behave in the right way. Watch a great leader in action over the course of 30 days, and you will understand that they do not make rash decisions. They act in a consistent way each day. Therefore, employees or volunteers working under them do not have to wonder if it is a good day to approach the supervisor. Even when situations try to take the upper hand, outstanding leaders are prepared to lead using wise decisions that are consistent with their character.
- Recognize the Strengths of Others
Great leaders understand that they have their own strengths and weaknesses. While they may be working with training consultants to help eliminate their own weaknesses, they understand that those under them have great strengths in some areas. They know how to spot those strengths. Additionally, they know how to combine individuals with different strengths into great teams. While they are the captain of the team, they do not berate those under them. Instead, they spend time encouraging others to become great leaders as well. They never fear that they will work themselves out of a job as others excel.
- Wise
Good leaders are very wise. They are critical thinkers that consider problems from many different angles. Additionally, wise leaders are very empathetic. They do not rise to the top of the leadership chain because they believe they are better than everyone else. They practice humility in all aspects of their lives realizing that they would not be at the top without others helping them. While it has been said many times that the top can be a very lonely place, great leaders spend the time to help those underneath them achieve great things. They are usually happiest when those working under them are rising to the top as well.
- Dependable
Smart leaders are very dependable. They work extremely hard when they say that they will do something to complete the job. They drive themselves harder than they drive those working underneath them.
Conclusion
Everyone is born with their own set of skills. Great leaders take their natural talents and use them as building blocks to outstanding careers. Equally, each person is born with natural weaknesses. Great leaders recognize their weaknesses and work consistently to overcome them. They also recognize the strengths and weaknesses of others acting to empower them to make even better choices. If you are ready to become a great leader, then contact our training consultants today.
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