5 Qualities That Define a Great Leader

Give and you shall receive. Many leaders today get stuck between trying to be the ‘cool boss’ but still remain respected. These are five qualities every great leader should possess to be able to achieve the perfect balance of guidance, control and understanding. Ultimately, it is most important to be genuine and put yourself in your employee’s shoes to maximise performance.

1. Awareness
   It sounds simple enough but just knowing what’s going on all the time is key to becoming a successful leader. You should monitor all aspects of the business to be aware of what is happening and more importantly, why. You should not afraid to ask employees questions and be able to put yourself in their shoes.

 

2. Honesty
   Remember when Rebecca from the I.T. department suggested getting more recycling bins and you told her ‘What a great idea, absolutely!’ and it’s been 6 months and nothing’s happened? Well that’s just not ok. Rebecca probably thinks you’re a liar with a habit of empty promises. Excuse the cliché but honesty really is the best policy. Give your employees the truth and they will respect you as a leader and love working in a friendly and understanding workspace.

 

3. Optimism
   Put a smile on your dial! Be the company’s source of daily positive energy and employees will be inspired to imitate your behaviour. It does not have to be over the top whatsoever but by genuinely believing in your business and having an overall positive attitude can influence overall performance.

 

4. Creativity
   Don’t be boring! You’ve got huge responsibilities particularly when it comes to decision making so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Choosing the easiest option might be ok for a little while but imagine how much more success you could achieve by taking the less obvious route. This will also encourage your team to be innovative which is critical when in a competitive industry.

 

5. Commitment
   No one and literally no one likes the super lazy boss that barks orders and commands deadlines without doing any of the work themselves. It is critical for you to show you are committed to the company and lead by example. Show your team that you are willing to do what it takes to succeed (ethically of course) and learn and develop skills along the way.