6 Uncommon Traits That Define Good Leaders
Marcel Schwantes
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What are the defining attributes of great leaders? That's the age-old question thought leaders and scholars have attempted to answer in mountains of books and literature.?
While outstanding leadership, to an extent, can be?personal and subjective to the?follower, there are universal principles you can't argue with (but you can try). I've interviewed hundreds of those thought leaders and scholars on my podcast and various media outlets. Here are six things that keep?surfacing repeatedly in the leadership literature and best-sellers.
1. They are curious and humble
Great leaders may be smart and know a lot, but they are humble enough to recognize that there are smarter people in the room from whom they can learn. They don't restrict themselves from opinions and input outside of their own. They surround themselves with diverse perspectives to help them answer questions like, "How do I know my decision?is the right one?" or "Is there a better course of action here?"
2. They model?transparency
Transparency promotes an open culture of respect, openness, and dignity, void of the usual toxic corporate metaphors like backstabbing, gossiping, and throwing people under the bus. The business case for it has and always will be about the team--strong relationships, collaboration, and, lest we forget, getting results. However, transparent leaders go beyond self-transparent behaviors: They allow others to voice their opinions and encourage emotional honesty and uncomfortable conversations?in boardrooms and conference rooms.?
3. They champion a learning spirit
Great leaders recognize that we are in an age of unprecedented technological advancement. They develop their own competency by continuously learning and gathering expertise?across multiple fields, not just?their own. They provide upskilling opportunities to expand an employee's abilities and minimize skill gaps. They also champion a "learning spirit" within the organization, sending a clear message to knowledge workers?that "growing our people is one of our highest priorities."
4. They surround themselves with mentors
Great leaders surround themselves with sages?they can approach for wisdom and honest feedback. They also choose their mentors carefully because?receiving advice from the wrong people could be career-limiting and a bad move. They find tried-and-true mentors with a high degree of integrity they, and others, admire and would like to emulate.?
5. They are relationship-builders
Leadership coaches like myself preach this ad nauseam, yet it often falls on deaf ears. Those?who value authentic relationships will see tremendous differences in how employees and customers respond.?Margaret J. Wheatley, renowned management consultant and author of many books, including Leadership and the New Science,?which has been lauded as "one of the top ten business books of all time," gave timeless?advice to point new leaders in the right direction:
"We will need to become savvy about how to build?relationships, how to nurture growing, evolving things. All of us will need better skills in listening, communicating, and facilitating groups, because these are the talents that build strong relationships."
6. They serve others
I conclude this list with something very close to my heart: Servant Leadership. Leadership isn't about dictating, commanding, or imposing. It's about serving others (including your customers and especially your employees). It's about empowering others to achieve their goals, bringing out the best in people, prioritizing their needs before your own, and helping people develop and reach their highest potential. I wholeheartedly believe in, coach, teach, and practice servant leadership. It's one of the most effective approaches to achieving leadership success.
Your turn: Which of these have you seen modeled by good leaders? Which do you practice yourself? Leave a comment to continue the discussion, and let's learn from each other.
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About Me
Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, executive leadership coach, author, and podcast host with a worldwide following.
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Operations Manager | Logistics Manager | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | People-Focused Leader
1 周Insightful
CEO-Client Solutions Executive Search | Interim, Fractional, Directhire | Executive Coach | Leadership Advisory | "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" Helen Keller
4 周So true Marcel Schwantes "It has and always will be about the team--strong relationships, collaboration, and, lest we forget, getting results." Together we all win!
Director Customer Experience | Business Management, Customer Relations
4 周Well said! There has been a huge shift in leadership over the last decade. Basic principles are becoming increasingly uncommon. Respect ? Honesty? Everything stated here is spot on but without the context of the foundation it seems to not have the same meaning or purpose.
Head of Customer Relations at Advantage Finance Ltd
4 周A great article and a thought provoking read. Leaders definately should be measuing their success by the success of the colleagues that they are managing. Helping them grow and develop should be one of the main barometers that companies look at when judging the strength of their managers, unfortunately I do not believe that this is always the case. Excellent points were made in this article and thank you for sharing.
Founder & CEO at TECHenya Solutions l AIversAI | Helping Businesses Leverage AI & Digital Channels for Growth.
4 周Having a servant leader is every employee's dream.