7 Qualities Every Leader Should Have

From Steve Jobs to Bill Gates, their experience and qualities have made them and their products globally recognized. What do you reckon are the qualities and skills of these leaders that have made them so successful?

This article discusses what makes successful leaders and provides tips on what qualities you should strive to improve across your organization or team.

COMMITTED AND PASSIONATE

To the extent that people may perceive them as overly ambitious, leaders are extremely committed and passionate about the things they do. They don’t mind working on mediocre tasks just to get a project over the line or accomplish a goal. Through their attitude, they are able to inspire others to bring out the best in them and make the impossible seem possible.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR

Leaders think before they speak and do not speak without any substance in their words. Moreover, they are able to communicate the purpose of each task to their employees. They can motivate people without using harsh words or threatening statements. 

Leaders should also be honest at all times; this helps them build trust among their followers. An effective communicator is also an honest individual who stands firm in his beliefs and values, and is perceived as reliable.

DECISION-MAKER

At work or life, it’s hard to make important decisions due to the unpredictable outcomes these decisions can produce. Leaders take their time before rushing to decisions. They do not only think of how the outcome impacts their lives, but also have a great concern for the impact of their decisions on their team members.

Leaders do not decide based on emotions. They continue to learn and broaden their knowledge to overcome every challenge their team members might face. Some even take online courses (For example, leadership courses such as the Master of Leadership from Deakin) to learn new concepts and implement them in the workplace.

ACCOUNTABLE

Leaders do not shy away from their responsibilities and being accountable for outcomes. They do not point fingers at others; Leaders take responsibility for all outcomes, positive or otherwise.

EMPOWERING

Since leaders cannot do everything by themselves, they empower their followers to help them while  giving them the chance to learn their strengths and weaknesses. They don’t micromanage but instead, observe the performance of their subordinates and see what other potentials or skills they can bring out in them.

CREATIVE

Leaders are innovative and creative – they always want to get ahead in their fields. A leader is someone who thinks out of the box even if an idea seems bizarre and impossible at first. They can turn ideas into reality.

EMPATHETIC

While some leaders over time forget to express empathy towards their followers, great leaders take the time to understand their problems and feelings, so that they can create positive working environments where their team members can thrive.