For many years, the ideal leadership was thought to involve making decisions and giving orders.
Today, we see leadership in a different light. We see the leader as someone who motivates and encourages a team to perform well and to reach their goals through working together, communicating and discussing.
Consider the way Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States (1860 – 1865), distinguishes between a boss and a leader:
- The Boss drives his people; the Leader supervises them!
- The Boss depend on authority; the Leader on goodwill!
- The Boss inspires fear; the Leader inspires enthusiasm!
- The Boss says ‘I’; the Leader says ‘We!’
- The Boss lays blame for the breakdown; the Leader fixes the breakdown!
- The Boss knows how it is done; the Leader shows how it is done!
- The Boss says ‘Go’; the Leader says ‘Let’s go!’
Workers are happier and more productive when they know they have a role in decision-making and production. A good leader gives people the opportunity to do this while also showing direction and guidance to their team.
Leaders should have:
- Good work knowledge. It is hard to have confidence in a leader who does not seem to know what they are doing.
- An ability to plan ahead. A poor leader is someone who is always dealing with problems that could have been avoided.
- A willingness to allow teamwork, involvement and participation.
- Enthusiasm
- Integrity and honesty. This is the only way to gain respect and trust from your team.
- The ability to recognize their own limitations. A good leader should have the confidence to draw on the skills and knowledge of others and be able to delegate effectively.
- A willingness to show initiative. A good leader takes action when it is necessary and without being told.
The following are some traits of a good leader.
- Vision – The ability to create a clear and compelling picture of the future.
- Inspire, influence and motivate – Encourages and energizes others toward achieving goals.
- Decision making – The capacity to make informed and effective decisions.
- Emotional intelligence – Recognizes and manages one’s own emotions and the emotions of others.
- Adaptability and resilience – The ability to adjust to new conditions and recover quickly from difficulties.
- Ethical – Adheres to moral principles and professional standards.
- Transparent – Openness and honesty in communication and actions.
- Team Player – Works effectively and cooperatively with others.
- Ability to lead change – Guide others through transitions and transformations.
- Empowerment – Provides team members with the authority and confidence to make decisions.
- Delegation – Assigns tasks and responsibilities effectively.
- Mentorship – Guide and support the development of others.
- Feedback friendly – Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback.
- Active listener and communicator – Engage in attentive listening and clear communication.
- Prioritizes team wellbeing – Focuses on the health and satisfaction of the team.
- Lead by example – Demonstrates the behaviours and work ethic expected of others.
- Collaboration – Works jointly with others to achieve shared goals.
- Embraces innovation and technology – Adopts new technologies and innovative practices.
- Critical thinking – Analyses and evaluates information for sound judgment and problem-solving.
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