As leaders, we should strive to foster a sense of trust and loyalty in the workplace. We want our employees to have a sincere enthusiasm for their jobs. We need to make concrete decisions, and possess a high level of managerial competence. Essentially, the leadership qualities we exhibit, tell us just how successful we are.
To that end, what leadership qualities are critical for our success? Truth be told, we could have made this list much more extensive, but we really wanted to hone in on where we think you should place your focus. This post details our top five must-have leadership qualities.
#1: Integrity
Integrity is one of the most important qualities a leadership can posses. As Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible.”
Whether it’s crediting your team for their accomplishments, discussing mistakes with an employee, or making safety and quality a top priority, great leaders always do this with integrity. As a result, team members learn that they can build trust in you, as you prioritize always doing the right thing.
#2: Sharp Communication Skills
Leaders are motivators, instructors and disciplinarians for their team. If a leader isn’t a very skilled communicator, then it becomes extremely difficult to accomplish any of these things.
Poor communication is also linked to poor outcomes. People often perceive leaders who are unable to master the art of communication as weak and inefficient. Honing your communication skills is critical, and remember: listening is an important component when it comes to communication.
#3: Loyalty
Great leaders understand that loyalty is a two-way street. Because they value this, they express loyalty in palpable ways that benefit the entire team as a whole. As an example, a loyal leader ensures their team has access to the proper resources and trainings to perform their job and succeed. Or, if a conflict arises, defending the team as needed.
#4: Empowerment
As a leader, your job is to raise others up. You want to train and develop your employees so you can empower them to lead. Empowerment is also important because studies show that when employees are empowered, they are more likely to make decisions in the best interest of the company.
#5: Friendly
Perhaps this last quality was a given, but it’s worth including. Why? Simply put, people are more inclined to follow someone that they like and can approach. A great leader is not only charismatic, but they also show sincere concern for others.
In Closing
Once you’ve made it to the top, the work doesn’t stop. In fact, the work increases. The good news is this: you are able to adapt and continue learning in order to possess these leadership qualities, and overall become a stronger leader.
Have a question? We specialize in leadership coaching for executive leaders, and we’d love to help. Contact us, today!
