10 Uncommon Behaviors That Define Good Leaders

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I?write a lot about leadership, drawing from the latest research and best practices to inform what great work cultures look like.

This piece is a little different. As you read further, don't excuse?the?principles I'm positing as some sort of fleeting, utopian form of flowery leadership. While these virtues may have a spiritual bent, they'll invite respect, command influence,?and produce results.

And while you'll find these uncommon behaviors popping out of the pages of leadership best-sellers and the literature, the hardest?part will be believing in them and applying them with?serious?intent.

If you're up to the task, consider this a personal guide?to a higher and purer form of leadership. Practice?one principle per day, and then record in a journal the outcome of such virtues in practice. Good luck.

1. Use words with restraint

The smartest leaders may be wise and know a lot of things, but they say little to draw attention to themselves. They are even-tempered and use?words with restraint. They tune in to the other person and are more interested in knowing what they?think before hastily opening their mouths to "impose" knowledge. As the book of Proverbs states, "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."

2. Promote the rare practice of forgiveness

Good leaders forgive a wrongdoing because they know to err is human, and that failure leads to?success. By promoting?a culture of forgiveness instead of harboring?resentment and grudges, forgiveness can be an effective way to restore trust and set things right with colleagues and bosses alike. Additionally, forgiven people are motivated to never repeat the offense.?New research, in fact,?finds forgiveness to?improve well-being and productivity in the workplace.

3.? Use intuition to detect potential conflict

Ancient spiritual wisdom warns that an argument that escalates?is like a leak or a crack?in a dam, so we need to stop it before it bursts. This is indicative of good leaders, especially in this age of divisiveness. They will detect with keen?intuition contentious?exchanges about to go south and will nip them in the bud?before they get heated and destroy work morale.

4. Be curious and open to acquiring new knowledge

The ears of open-minded leaders will inquire?and crave?new information and be open to new ideas. He or she is always learning, always curious, always asking questions, and listening for fresh insights.

5. Care on a deeper level

Caring for employees means serving them well because it leads to competitive advantage. This all starts with developing the mind-set to firmly put into action the statement "I will treat my employees with great care, so they will treat our customers with great care."

6. Give trust?before it's earned

Leaders who truly value people will extend trust as a gift before it's earned; they have a high view of people and show?them respect and dignity from the start. When this happens, the return on trust is threefold as employees are that much more loyal and committed to their work and boss.

7. Look for the potential in people

Great leaders discover the strengths people have in order to continue?providing for their learning and growth and encouraging their human development.

8. Share leadership

Leaders will not fail if they?share?power, decision-making, and status. Allowing others a seat at the table for discussion, input, and the sharing of ideas is empowering and builds trust.

9. Build community

Great leaders enhance?relationships by promoting a sense of belonging and connection for all team members, by working collaboratively, emphasizing teamwork, and valuing the differences of others -- differing gifts, personalities, and viewpoints.

10. Listen to your heart

The heart, your intuition, or your gut feeling -- whatever you prefer to label it --?is the essence of emotional wisdom.?It means becoming?aware of your feelings and trusting them as inner guidance. It doesn't mean?suppressing any logic and reason;?it means having?inner peace and tapping into the spirit within you?to guide and counsel you through life.

Your turn: what would you add to this list? Leave a comment, and let's learn from each other.

Senior Managers: I'll Leave You With This

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About Marcel Schwantes

Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach and global speaker whose keynotes and workshops spotlight the human side of work. He's been recognized as one of the "Top 101 Global Employee Engagement & Experience Influencers" by Inspiring Workplaces. His work is regularly featured in?media outlets worldwide, including Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, and CNBC.