Qualities of a Good Leader

What makes a person a leader? Is it the position or is it the person’s personal qualities? The qualities of a good leader include communication, commitment and confidence with one another. A leader has to have a clear vision of what is to be achieved and the ability to motivate people to work towards achieving that purpose.

Some people are born leaders while the rest evolve into leaders. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it” is the definition of one of the most charismatic US Presidents, Dwight Eisenhower. A leader is called upon at different times to guide, motivate and discipline his team or followers.

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. ~ Peter F. Drucker (Tweet this)

How to Cultivate Leadership Traits or Qualities of a Good Leader?

All of us have the capability to develop the qualities required to be a good leader. Through consistent and sincere practice, you can become a leader who is respected and accepted.

1. Have a Clear Vision

A leader must have a clear plan of what is to be achieved from a situation. A leader should be able to adapt principles to suit situations. A person who is convinced about his cause has the power to attract and convince followers to share his vision.

2. Integrity

If you want to be a leader you must be trustworthy and show honesty in all dealings and control emotions and harshness. He/she should demonstrate fairness consistently and should hear all concerned and check all facts before arriving at a conclusion.

3. Humility

A humble leader is approachable so that others can find it easy to interact and come forward to offer suggestions or ideas. By being humble they can show that all are equal.

4. Attract Attention

Very few wallflowers ever become leaders. If a person is convinced about his purpose, he should have the strength to be vocal about the same. If a leader can relieve tension or prevent boredom with a sense of humor, it promotes camaraderie.

5. Be Genuinely Interested in People

A leader is a leader only if he is a people’s person. A leader genuinely believes that each person he encounters has something to teach him. One of the qualities of a good leader is that he should be able to connect to all people irrespective of age, gender or background.

6. Dedication

Spending whatever time you have towards the goal or vision at hand and inspiring others to do the same by setting an example is a trait that is important for being a leader.

7. Work as a Part of the Team

Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too. ~ Robert Half (Tweet this)

A true leader is one who stays a part of his team and does not merely direct. Followers genuinely respect a leader’s proven task abilities but also esteem a leader who does not hesitate to turn up his sleeves and get down to pulling his weight with the rest of his team when required.

A leader who hesitates to soil his hands with work is not worthy of the title of leader.

8. Appreciate in Public But Chastise in Private

A true leader never hesitates to give credit to each member of his team for their individual and team achievements but any words of censure should be given behind closed doors, in a one-to-one session.

9. Empower the Team and Enable them Grow

One of the qualities of a good leader is that he makes himself indispensable is encouraging personal growth and the growth of team members.

Delegation of responsibilities and keeping an open mind to learning new skills constantly enables growth of individual members and personal growth of the leader. The leader should constantly work on a succession plan.

10. Effective Communication is the Key to Leading a Team

A leader should cultivate an approachable image and constantly give information to all team members. He should also welcome feedback from his team members.

Written and oral means of communication work when supplemented with a personal touch. A leader should try to have as many one-on-one sessions with team members as possible.

11. Be Assertive

An aspiring leader must be assertive to get the desired results as the leader has to make goals clear for everyone and to avoid misunderstandings. Anyone can become an admirable and effective leader by cultivating these traits.

Conclusion – Qualities of a Good Leader

Leadership is the process by which a leader imaginatively directs, guides and influences the work of others in choosing and attaining specified goals by mediating between the individuals and the organisation in such as manner, that both will obtain maximum satisfaction.

The qualities of a good leader cannot be acquired by any person from the other, but it can be acquired by self determination of a person. Leadership is a personality trait.