Leaders are born and made. While no one ever said that leading a group of people was easy, there are certain qualities that can be developed to positively influence them and guide organizations to success. In this sense, according to a study published by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL.ORG), the traits or characteristics that make a good leader include honesty, the ability to delegate, communication, trust, positive attitude, creativity, intuition, and commitment. But there is much more.
What is a leader?
A leader is defined as “a person who directs or guides a group, whose authority is recognized”, whether in a professional or personal context. But what does this mean in practice? In other words, we can say that a leader is someone who has the ability to manage a given team of people, and who is capable of influencing, motivating, and getting all members to work enthusiastically to achieve business objectives.
Qualities of a good leader
Here are the essential tips and qualities for a successful leader. A leader is never a leader by chance.
#1 They communicate efficiently
One of the most important tasks of a leader is undoubtedly to be able to ensure that information flows in all directions (bottom-up, top-down, and horizontally). In other words, to establish dynamic and effective communication channels between all members of the organization.
#2 They empower the tea
Yes, one of the fundamental qualities to be a good leader is being capable of motivating others, so that people can happily develop their full potential. When this happens, we achieve much greater business results. That’s a fact.
#3 They possess high emotional intelligence
A good leader is able to manage and express its emotions, to show empathy by putting themselves in others’ shoes, and are aware of the influence they can exert on people, the so called “leadership by influence”. Understanding the team’s emotions and knowing how to manage them is a key part of leadership.
#4 They encourage professional growth
A good leader also focuses on the team’s development , sharing knowledge, solving problems together, or enhancing the skills of the organization’s members.
#5 They listen actively
A true leader listens more and talks less. And they pay attention to the problems and different perspectives of the members of the company. They always try to take turns to speak, ask questions before expressing their opinion, and promote spaces for dialogue, such as regular meetings.
#6 They know how to delegate
Not everyone has the ability to trust others. An optimal leader is one who surrounds themselves with talent and who delegates. This translates into a commitment to people’s abilities, to assigning responsibilities and merits according to the efforts made. In short, they establish relationships of mutual trust.
#7 Own up to the consequences
When things do not go as planned, a good leader is one who takes responsibility for the team and provides solutions. And their resilience allows them to turn crisis into opportunities for growth, both personally and for the organization as a whole.
#8 They encourage strategic thinking
Looking for new ways to keep the company, and therefore the workforce, growing is a fundamental characteristic of any leader. A systemic approach makes it possible to plan, predict, and foresee opportunities, which are essential to ensuring the success of a corporation.
#9 They are a source of inspiration
A leader should be a role model for the rest of the team. Leading by example is one of the best leadership skills. As such, a leader must always show the way to be followed and comply with all the demands that they, in turn, will pass on to their team.
>> Fortunately, addressing gender inequality and fostering women’s leadership is appearing on the agenda of most companies. And not only for reasons of equity, but also for profitability: it has been proven that organizations with women in management generate more profits and are better at retaining talent.
#10 They prioritize personal development
In order to command a good leadership style, leaders must be very up-to-date, regardless of the stage of their career, since we live in a society that changes at a dizzying pace. Conclusion? Renew or die.
What happens if I do not have these characteristics?
Although some people are much more naturally predisposed to become leaders, genetics are not everything. You can learn to be a leader. And you have to. In fact, a good leader is the result of a combination of experience and ongoing training. So, there is no secret formula. However, every leader chooses a different leadership style to manage their team, based on their own personality. That said, at Esade we inspire you to broaden your skills and boost your professional profile with the aim of empowering the leader you have inside you. Long live learning is key to succeed and improve.
