Good, Better, and the Best Leader

Leader positions can be found in every Organization - the term has been widely used over the past years to describe those management positions which are "de facto" the positions that are leading and overseeing people at workplaces. While leading and managing people are not the same qualities (another article is coming soon on that topic), leaders can also be described as good, better or THE BEST! What's the difference between a good and the best leader?

A good leader is planning day to day activities, a better leader is planning and driving their people on the day to day activities, while the BEST Leader has:

Strategic & Critical Thinking

Strategic Thinking comprises of all the "intentional and rational thought process that focuses on the analysis of critical factors and variables that will influence the long-term success of a business, a team, or an individual". On the other hand, Critical Thinking is the process of question, analyze, interpret,?evaluate and make a judgement about what a leader read, hear, say, or write. Good critical thinking is about making reliable judgements based on reliable information.

Interpersonal Communication

Leaders with interpersonal communication skills are leaders that has face to face conversations with their employees and/or colleagues, sit down and discuss, analyze the project goals, the expected outcomes, and find ways to solve any upcoming problems and diversions from the initial work plan. It involves the exchange of ideas, and information between individuals through brainstorming most of the times.

Authenticity & Self-Awareness

A good leader knows the exact plan, and he/she is leading towards its execution, a better leader motivate and engage the people he/she is working with, while the BEST leader is first of all self-aware for his own values, beliefs and emotions. He/She can control his/her thoughts, understand his/her strengths and weaknesses, prior to evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of his/her team. Being honest about his/her leadership quality, self-awareness and authenticity are some essential components of leading with purpose and engage the team.

Open-Mindedness & Creativity

A good leader is open to new ideas, a better leaders accept ideas and different perspectives, but the Best Leader is encouraging the exploration, the experimentation, the creativity and the inspiration driven by his/her team. He/She is leading to fresh and innovative solutions to problems, he/she leads with inspiration for change, challenge existing procedures, and allows for a diverse range of influences and perspectives in workplace.

Always remember there is a huge difference between a good, a better and the best leader. If you are leading a team try to avoid micromanagement, and jump into leadership as soon as possible in your career. Once you jump in the leadership, you will go through the good, and the better leading styles, but always aim to become the Best Leader!

Stay tuned for the next article discussing Flexibility, Responsibility & Dependability, Patience & Tenacity, and Continuous Improvement as main components of the Best Leaders.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2019/05/10/what-great-leaders-have-that-good-leaders-dont/

https://aboutleaders.com/differentiate-good-great-leaders/

https://online.champlain.edu/blog/top-qualities-of-a-great-leader