What are the qualities of a good leader?
- Decision Maker
- Good Communicator
- Sets The Example
- Motivates Others
- Calls Attention To Success
You may be considering a position in leadership and ask yourself, “What are 5 qualities of a good leader?” Any company that wishes to have long-term success needs natural-born leaders at the helm of their organization. But what makes an effective leader? We explore the top 5 qualities of a leader. These 5 qualities are some of the most important leadership characteristics you’ll need to lead a team.
Related Resource:Top 10 Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online
Decision Maker
At the top of our list of the 5 characteristics of a good leader is decision making. As an effective leader, making quality, tough decisions is part of daily life. Quick on the feet with the ability to make stressful choices under fire could break down anyone. A good decision-maker who stands behind their actions without hesitation will be a great leader. Having these critical leadership qualities will earn the trust and respect of those who depend on you to lead them efficiently.
Do you have a difficult time making decisions? There are some things you can do to develop decision making and improve your leadership skills! These include:
- Set a specific time limit to make a decision. Evaluate your options to determine if there is a clear best choice. If all options seem equal, then just make a decision and stick with it. Providing others with a deadline for your decision will build trust and make you look dependable.
- Take a step back. Good leaders remove emotions from the decision-making process. You can pretend you are advising a friend or family member. This gives you the emotional distance you might need to come to a decision.
- Make a list. A great leader will make a list of pros and cons can help you visualize your options. Perhaps there will be a clear choice. If there isn’t a clear choice, at least you have an easy way to evaluate your options in one place.
- Ask a trusted friend or expert. It will need to be a person you can trust. A good leader has clear questions in mind. This helps you get the information you need to make a decision.
- Successful leaders acknowledge the importance of the decision that you need to make. Is it something that will have a big impact or is it something smaller? Choosing a benefit plan for the upcoming year is much different than deciding on a caterer for a weekly team luncheon. Make sure each decision is given the appropriate amount of thought and consideration. Don’t overthink decisions that aren’t important in the long run.
- The best leaders have a high degree of emotional intelligence. This key strength allows leaders to be aware of their own emotions and the emotions of others. By recognizing these, a leader can manage their own emotions in terms of decision making and reach an unbiased conclusion.
Good Communicator
It’s no surprise that one of the five qualities of a good leader is communication. A good leader has to be able to set clear expectations for their team and provide effective communication. Great leaders give directions. They also use active listening when communicating with their team. Effective leaders give their opinion on valuable ideas that can improve the entire organization. Without clear communication skills, the work environment can quickly become unproductive and disorganized.
Good leaders inspire their team members with their words. They take a genuine interest in the people they work with and the work they do. They find ways to inspire their workforce and get people excited to come to work. These leadership qualities result in employees who feel valued and appreciated (and are more productive!)
Effective leaders have high expectations and follow through if they aren’t being met. This can be in the form of a coaching session or a written reprimand. Employees who receive honest feedback and constructive criticism are more likely to improve their performance.
Sets the Example
A leader shouldn’t expect their employees to perform tasks that they wouldn’t do. The actions of their leaders set a lot of what the employees will do daily. It would be difficult to enforce a staff to come to work promptly if a person in charge is late themselves. According to Forbes, good leadership will shape a company’s values and goals. Without a person setting the right example, the positive culture in the workplace can be challenging to attain. The best companies in the world have leaders who people around them can trust.
Unsure how to be a role model? Here are some leadership qualities that can help you stand out as a role model in your workplace.
- Be confident without coming off as co*cky. I you lack confidence in your leadership role, employees will lose faith. You wouldn’t follow someone who seemed unsure, so you can’t expect others to follow you if you come across as insecure. Learn your job well and pass along your knowledge and experience to others. When team members come to you with a question, answer with authority or find out the answer.
- Talk to everyone. Role models don’t spend all their time in their own office, they talk to employees at all levels of the company. Listen and learn from your coworkers and supervisors.
- Admit your mistakes. We all make mistakes and it’s important to own up to them. If you make a mistake, own it and do what you can to make it right. Your own self awareness will help you build rapport with coworkers and gain respect from your superiors. It takes a big person to admit when they were wrong. Show others that you are able to step up to the plate and be accountable. Work on your own personal development.
Motivates Others
Another of the 5 qualities of a good leader is the ability to motivate others. Picking up on the positive vibes from an effective leader isn’t difficult to do. When they enter the room, their self confidence seems to attract others. They have a positive outlook and inspire others through their words and actions.
True leaders have a passion for expecting others around them to deliver their best results. They also have a knack for getting employees to perform better. It’s imperative to have the ability to interact with others to pinpoint precisely how they can achieve their organizational goals.
Calls Attention to Success
It is critical for leaders to celebrate the success of others. Individuals who are working for you want to know that they are doing a good job. A successful leader who provides consistent positive reinforcement is beneficial to everyone. Spend time getting to know every employee. Learn their strengths and weaknesses. Let others know that they are making a positive impact and play a critical role in the success of the entire team.
Strong leaders delegate effectively. They give their employees the opportunity to show off their strengths and develop their skills. Delegating can also build trust between employees and promotes active engagement.
Instill the growth mindset that allows employees to seek a better version of themselves constantly. Develop an effective leadership program to grow good employees into great leaders. Good leaders do these things masterfully.
5 Good Qualities of a Leader-Conclusion
Good leadership qualities are essential to run a successful business. While we explored 5 characteristics of effective leadership, there are many more traits that can make a good leader. Great leaders can impact a group of people positively, but they should also try to improve themselves consistently. Expecting the best can’t be accomplished without trying to be the best yourself.
Related Resources:
- 5 Common Courses in an Organizational Leadership Degree Program
- Top 45 Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership
- What Are Psychom*otor Skills?
- What are the Most Common Approaches to Leadership in I-O Psychology?
