Walking the walk

I've been pulled into a lot of discussions lately about what makes a good leader. I've talked before about my approach to leadership and what leadership really means, but I've had some particular things on my mind lately around not only what great leadership IS, but what it ISN'T.

Great leaders are ...

Every organization and team is different. They have different needs and expectations. But there are still some shared qualities that make a leader amazing, including:

1. Honesty - great leaders tell the truth, keep their promises, and share information as they can.
2. Availability - being there for your team when they need you creates an environment of safety and trust.
3. Curiosity - no matter how much experience and skill you bring to the table, there is always more to learn.

Great leaders aren't ...

1. Biased - they take their inspiration from truly diverse sources and create environments that nurture diverse teams.
2. Insular - they work hard to make sure they understand the perspectives of groups and individuals who don't think like they do, so they can incorporate a variety of experiences.
3. Power-hungry - they give credit, share praise, and are motivated by the success of their team.

Gratitude

I've been very lucky to have really fantastic leaders in my circle, and I strive to learn as many lessons from them as I can. So what makes a great leader to you?