Good Leadership?

Everyone wants to be a good business leader. We all recognise those good leaders possessing a combination of personal attributes, professional skills, and values that enable them to guide their organisation effectively, inspire teams, and achieve long-term success.

However what is good leadership to you?

General Norman Schwarzkof, Commander of the coalition forces in the Gulf War of 1991 defines leadership as a potent combination of strategy and character. However General Schwarzkof goes on to say that if you must be without one, be without strategy.

You see folks, character is what really matters, and I would like to challenge us all in developing our character to allow good leadership to shine.

"Character is what really matters and I would like to challenge us all in developing our character to allow good leadership to shine!"

But strategy and execution is important, so please check out our previous newsletter on the link here, to give you a point of reference on this importance aspect.

So please, find below some character attributes that I believe are key for being a great leader with a strong character.

1. DECISIVENESS

Good leaders can make decisions quickly and confidently, even in uncertain situations. They have great gut feel but ALWAYS use data to qualify gut, gather information, assess risks, and then take decisive action.

2. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ)

Strong business leaders are highly self-aware, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers. They can regulate their emotions, especially under pressure.

Regulating emotions is super critical as a business leader and those that have empathy are able to READ the room. They have the ability to understand and relate to the emotions and perspectives of others, which helps in building strong relationships with employees, customers, and stakeholders.

3. RESILIENCE AND MENTAL FORTITUDE

A good leader is resilient and perseveres through challenges and setbacks. They have a "never-give-up" attitude, even when things get tough.

Mindset is key here. Tips to help create a strong mindset include creating a culture of gratitude daily, meditation, breaks to recharge, reading key motivation books, learning to be the best at your craft etc.

And of course MEDITATION is a great way to set things mentally in context.

Having the mental resilience and toughness will help you as a business leader to be flexible in your approach, be open to new ideas and adapt to changing market conditions, new technologies, or unexpected challenges.

4. INETGRITY AND ETHICS

It goes without saying that good leaders act with integrity, demonstrating honesty and transparency in their decision-making and communications.

But it is more than that. Good leaders lead by example, they set the tone and culture of the organisation by upholding ethical standards, making decisions based on what is right rather than what is easy or profitable, and of course fostering a culture of trust and accountability.

5. STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS

An obvious character attribute, but must be said. Effective leaders communicate their vision, goals, and expectations clearly and consistently. They are skilled at conveying complex ideas in a simple, understandable way.

But in addition good leaders are great listeners. They listen actively to feedback, ideas, and concerns from employees, customers, and stakeholders, making others feel valued and heard by reflecting continuously what they have heard.

6. CONFIDENCE AND HUMILITY

I love this attribute. A good leader is confident in their abilities and decisions, which instills confidence in their team and inspires trust. They work hard on this aspect - becoming even Olympian in this area.

However , despite their confidence, good leaders remain humble, recognising that they don’t have all the answers and are willing to listen to others, admit mistakes, say sorry and learn from them.

7. SERVICE MINDED AND LOOKING OUT FOR OTHERS

Those who know me, know my love of the servant leadership model. Good leaders model the behaviours, values, and work ethic they expect from their teams. Their actions speak louder than words, inspiring others to follow their lead, through always looking to get the best out of others.

In addition when you are looking and serving your people, good leaders motivate employees by providing encouragement, recognising achievements, and celebrating successes. This helps to foster a positive and engaged workplace.

8. COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING

Good leaders are always looking to improve their skills, knowledge, and expertise. They invest in their personal growth and encourage their teams to do the same.

They seek out feedback from peers, employees, and mentors, using it to improve their leadership style and decision-making. When was the last time that you got feedback from your lieutenants in your business or others in your organisation? Believe me it is worth the exercise.

When was the last time that you got feedback from your lieutenants in your business or others in your organisation?

Of course there are some innate character attributes that are naturally you as a leader. However the BEST leaders are constantly looking to evolve and better themselves So I hope that the above will stimulate you to become the best leadership version of yourself. As those who have read my book (copy here) the best run company are ALWAYS run by the best leaders. And character is a fundamental attribute of their persona.

Ultimately as a business leader, these character attributes will contribute to building trust, fostering innovation, and ensuring sustained organisational growth and profits. And that is not a bad outcome to strive for!

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