12 Qualities of a Good Leader
Only 40 percent of managers report that their company has high-quality leaders. According to DDI’s 2023 Global Leadership Forecast, this represents a huge drop from two years ago, and measures closer to levels during the wake of the economic crisis in the early 2010s.
Good leadership is about more than just having an idea, communicating a vision, efficiency improvements, and process updates. It’s about creating authentic, psychologically safe and inspired workplaces that generate a purpose-driven and motivated team, a team inspired to achieve results and spread positivity!
But what exactly goes into creating “good” leadership? And how can you uncover what it truly takes to truly thrive as a new leader?
In this article, we delve into the 12 qualities of a good leader, and show you what it takes to become an effective role model to your team.
1. Good communication
Leaders are like the conductors of a symphony orchestra, bringing together different talents and instruments to create a beautiful masterpiece (similar to the Arranger strength!). And exceptional leaders know how to wield the power that comes with clear and concise communication. They ensure messages are conveyed effectively and understood by all team members, fostering transparency and alignment. They repeat themselves. They are CROs (Chief Repeating Officers). They spread clarity (because clarity creates calm!).
Good leaders aren't just great talkers; they're awesome listeners, too! They create a safe space for open dialogue, where ideas flow freely and everyone feels heard. Clear communication builds trust, boosts morale, and keeps everyone marching in the same direction and towards the same goal.
2. Empathy and gratitude
Great leaders possess a deep sense of empathy, allowing them to understand and appreciate the perspectives, feelings, and experiences of those around them. They express genuine gratitude for the contributions of their team members, too, which helps foster a culture of appreciation and acknowledgment. In fact, Google’s Project Oxygen discovered that one of the top traits of an effective manager was genuinely caring about the wellbeing of their team!
3. Resilience
Resilience isn't just about bouncing back, it's about bouncing back even stronger! And in the face of adversity and setbacks, outstanding leaders display unwavering resilience. In fact, great leaders serve as a beacon of strength and inspiration for their team members, instilling confidence and fortitude. They're like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm, reminding everyone that tough times don't last, but tough teams do!
4. A clear vision
Exceptional leaders provide a compelling vision for the future, outlining clear goals and objectives that inspire and motivate their team members. They paint a vivid picture of success, guiding their team towards a shared purpose and collective achievement.
5. Self-awareness
The cornerstone of successful leadership lies in the cultivation of self-awareness. Great leaders possess a deep understanding of their own strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. They continually seek self-awareness, reflecting on their actions and behaviors to cultivate personal and professional growth. Our favorite tools for building self-awareness? CliftonStrengths and Enneagram.
6. Organizational influence
Exceptional leaders leverage their influence and position within the organization to drive positive change and foster innovation. Their influence extends beyond mere directives, too. It also permeates through the fabric of the organization, fostering a sense of ownership and collective commitment towards shared objectives. Quite simply, good leaders know how to inspire and motivate others to embrace new ideas, challenge the status quo, and pursue excellence.
7. Compassion and mutual respect
Let's talk about the heart of good leadership: compassion and mutual respect! Exceptional leaders create a cozy atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong. Outstanding leaders know how to quickly cultivate this atmosphere and value the diversity of perspectives and experiences that their team brings to the table.
Compassion and mutual respect is not just about being nice, either. Good leaders need to learn the art of politely say “no” and build a community where everyone feels heard, valued, and respected.
8. The ability to give and take feedback
Exceptional leaders understand the importance of constructive feedback in driving continuous improvement and growth. They provide timely, specific, and actionable critique and praise to their team members, while also remaining open to receiving feedback themselves.
9. The courage to experiment
Great leaders create an atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to think outside the box and unleash their inner innovator. By embracing experimentation, they turn every setback into a stepping stone, and every failure into a lesson learned.
In short, successful leadership is about encouraging team members to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and gamble on ideas that might not pay off. Doing this creates a psychologically safe culture that celebrates creativity, curiosity, and adaptability.
10. Accountability
Exceptional leaders hold themselves and others accountable for their actions, decisions, and outcomes. They set clear expectations, take ownership of their responsibilities, and foster a culture of accountability and integrity within their team.
In fact, accountability is one of the five cohesive behaviors of an effective leadership team, according to Patrick Lencioni. It’s the last behavior before a team can collectively achieve results!
11. Patience
Patience is about staying focused on long-term goals. And in pursuit of their goals, great leaders demonstrate a level of calm perseverance that reassures the rest of the team! They understand that progress takes time and remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving success, inspiring their team members to do the same. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are great achievements.
12. Positivity
The final quality of great leadership is positivity! Exceptional leaders exude positivity and optimism, even in the face of challenges and uncertainty. And positivity is a superpower!
We don’t mean toxic positivity or putting on a fake smile when you’re feeling down. What we mean is that good leaders are resilient and, even in the face of challenges (there will be many), leaders are able to reframe, rewrite, and reset mindsets in stressful times.
Great leaders lead with positivity to ensure everyone feels energized and empowered to tackle challenges head-on.
By infusing positivity into every interaction, they build a culture of resilience and determination, and they remind us that with a smile on our faces and a skip in our step, we can conquer anything!
Inspiring Excellence Through Leadership
According to data from McKinsey, 40 percent of people are unhappy at work and are considering leaving their job in the near future. Why? A lack of career development and inadequate pay arise as the top reasons, alongside uncaring bosses.
Effective leadership, then, is not just a desirable trait—it's a business necessity.
More than anything, great leaders make a meaningful impact, inspire others to reach their full potential, and leave a lasting legacy of excellence so that each individual team member can show up to work feeling positive, engaged and ready to tackle their daily challenges. And no matter how stormy the ocean is, or how unclear the path forward is, it's these steady beams of light that guide teams through the darkness and into calmer waters.
To learn more about becoming a great leader and embodying these 12 qualities, explore my workshops or manager training program.