My Top 20 Leadership Attributes

I have spent a lifetime learning about motivation and leadership. As a young person, I did everything in my power to learn how to channel my intrinsic motivation to be my personal best on the basketball court. As my sports aspirations waned, and I spent 8 years as a teacher, and then 17 as a site administrator, I focused my efforts on how to maximize the potential of others.

Whether you are a leader of a team, business, school, district, non-profit, or any other organization, the BEST leaders know how to bring out the BEST in OTHERS. And, in my opinion, these attributes, are "based upon universal, timeless, self-evident principles common to every enduring, prospering society throughout history.”(Stephen Covey, Author of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)

1. Visibility & Lead By Example - when you’re visible, you’re able to proactively solve issues, build relationships, & model the way. Your personal example is the most powerful leadership tool you have.
2. Connection & People First - Know your staff, know them as individuals. Take an active interest in WHO they are. Employees are so much more than their jobs, and when they know that you care for them more than simply the role they play in an organization, great things become possible.
3. Empathy- "Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives." Joyce Russell. Almost 90% of US workers surveyed said that having an empathetic manager increases their job satisfaction, productivity, and cultivated loyalty, according to a 2021 Ernst & Young report, while over half said that they had left a job because their boss wasn't empathetic enough about issues at work or in their personal life.?
4. Clear Communication - Over communicate. Be sure to communicate verbally, in writing, and repeat important information . Clarity is kindness. Your employees are often having to filter a great deal of information, some of which is not applicable, or may not be applicable at the time of reception. Hence, the more that a leader communicates, the better.
5. Respect - Follow the golden rule with how you deal with all people & in all situations. This is really one of those timeless & universal principals.
6. Trust - Create a culture of integrity. “The moment there is suspicion about a person’s motives, everything he does becomes tainted.”—MAHATMA GANDHI. But when there is trust, others will assume positive intentions. Trust (and positive culture) are the two biggest foundational items of successful organizations.
7. Belief and Autonomy - People work best when they are not micromanaged. As quoted in Harvard Business Review , “Autonomy is an indispensable component of motivation and a key driver of performance and well-being.”
8. Walk the Walk & Talk the Talk - Integrity. You can SAY all the right things, but if your actions do not match to your words; you will fool no one. Actions always speak louder than words. Make sure that the two are always aligned.
9. Strength Based Approach - EVERYONE has areas of relative weakness. If you want to maximize performance, amplify the strengths of others, just as a coach of a championship team builds upon strengths of each player.
10. Everyone is a Leader & Should be Valued as Such - When employees feel valued, they will take ownership and pride in what they do. It will become more than simply a job.
11. No Task is Too Big or Too Small - A leader should never say “I don’t have time for this.” Or “This is not my job.”
12. Service - if you’re truly going to make those under your care perform at their highest level, then be a servant leader.
13. Be Positive & Inspiring - Leaders help others know they can accomplish great things & they help them to see the silver lining in challenges. 'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.' John Quincy Adams
14. Everything We do Communicates Excellence - How you talk, write, & present yourself should all communicate high standards you have for the organization.
15. Build a Positive Culture - Building a positive culture is not rocket science, but it does take WORK and practice & it starts from the top.
16. Be Prepared - EVERY time you present or meet, it is an opportunity to promote the company’s mission and move the organization forward together (Plus, nobody likes to feel that they are wasting their time).
17. Be Humble - if you’re not humble, you’re not going to be able to sincerely listen, get insight from others, or be open to new and better ways. We all know the expression, the smartest person in the room is the room. Arrogance does not leave place in the room for fresh ideas and open communication.
18. Apologize - No one is perfect, WHEN you make a mistake, sincerely apologize. You can’t expect accountability of others if you, yourself, aren’t accountable.
19. Be REAL - People need to show that you are authentic & genuine.
20. Listen - “Seek First to Understand, then Be Understood.” Leaders Influence others by developing a deep understanding of their needs and perspectives. This can only be done by truly listening.

About the Author:

Jerry Jones?leverages over 25 years of public school teaching and administrative experience?with three years in Ed. Tech. to partner with districts, schools and educators to help students find a pathway that leads to fulfilling lives; both personally & professionally.

As a school principal, Jerry was named ACSA (Association of CA School Administrators) Principal of the Year for San Diego & Imperial Counties, and he is particularly passionate about preparing students to be future ready.? Helping students maximize their potential and providing? them the means to?see how their interests and passions align to the world of work is Jerry’s personal mission.