Leadership is practical skill that entails the ability of an individual to deal with different situations. It makes you different and distinct from the others. One cannot study it from books but only learn it on the field.
The term Leader has its roots in ancient literature. In Sanskrit literature, many types of leaders have been identified. The Chinese doctrine of the mandate of Heaven too speak about the rulers or leaders who govern justly.
“Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage and discipline”. Jia Lin, in his commentary on Sun Tzu’s Art of War
What Are Some Important Leadership Qualities?
There are a number of variables which affect leadership traits. They can be intelligence, sociability, conscientiousness or self efficacy.
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell
There are a number of qualities which will distinguish good leaders from the average bunch. They can coexist and correlate with the cardinal virtues of prudence, courage, temperance and justice. Being humble, hospitable, merciful, faithful, reconciling, vigilant and reliable can be good supplements to being a great leader. Rummaging out of a bag of success stories, here are seven proven leadership qualities which every leader should possess.
1. Confidence
Confidence comes from the state of being sure about your course of action. It has been derived from the Latin word ‘Fidere’. It’s the most essential element to have for any aspiring leader. Can you imagine an entrepreneur who has no faith or trust in oneself? A leader needs to justify his actions with self assurance. A good leader is one who has positive instincts, some one who draws inspiration from his past experiences to build successful plans for the future. A leader who lacks confidence will be unable to motivate, inspire and empower his team. Leaders with low confidence are indecisive, unable to come out of their comfort zone and take risks. The lack of confidence will reflect on the team. Confident leaders make a real difference. However, one should beware that it does not turn into arrogance.
2. Honesty and Integrity
Honesty and integrity are the two fundamental leadership qualities. They are the hallmarks of any great leader. Real leaders stand up with honor, trust, honesty and integrity. Many companies fail because they don’t practice these golden principles. Leaders have to stand up for what they believe in. There are no moral shortcuts to being a successful entrepreneur. Let integrity be the state of mind, let it not be merely situational. Many companies fail because they don’t believe in it. It is always better to be honest than to delude others for your gain. Leaders have to back their own assumptions with truth, as Alec Mackenzie puts it:
“Errant assumptions lie at the root of every failure.” Alec Mackenzie
3. Good Communicator
Great communicators meet with instant success in their endeavors. They are valued, respected and trusted. Great communicators are good listeners as well. They value the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Paying attention to non-verbal cues is equally important. A good, strong voice is very helpful to motivate and manage your team. It’s easy to convince potential investors. One who thinks with clarity, expresses well and shares well crafted information is bound to be successful. In cases where the stakes are high, the consequences to bad communication can be devastating. With poor communication, the work place may suffer from low productivity. Chances of failure are high. It can triple stress, make the workplace tense, and unstable. There will be arguments, relational breakdowns, low morale, mental health issues and dissatisfied clients.
4. Decision Making Capabilities
Decision making capability is a major component of problem solving skills. One must always choose what is best and most viable for the company or organization. With logic and reason, a leader can make smart decisions. He must know how to use his knowledge properly. Stress and problems will be there, but a good leader deals with it in a planned way. He will incorporate imagination, information and data gathering, logic and analysis, assessment of risk, collaboration and negotiations and strategies to make the best decisions. These are key leadership qualities. In contrast, if proper research work is not undertaken, one is likely to make faulty decisions. At times, one has to make painful decisions, break partnerships, or give up on products. Short term losses may be likely but the decisions maker must be firm.
5. Empathy
Empathy is a key life skill. It is also one of the vital leadership qualities. It helps leaders in leaving their mark on the canvas of life. When a leader understands the needs and requirements of others, he creates a lasting bond with his work and the people he affects. He is able to gain vital insights into the mindset of others through empathy. If one lacks empathy, he might misjudge the entire scenario and lose out on valuable trust. When a leader thinks narrowly, gets defensive, lacks listening skills and seems reluctant to affirm a negative emotion, he loses the plot.
6. Accountability
Accountability means taking responsibility for one’s actions. If done in the right way, leaders can have great results. The organization will see better feelings of competency, more creativity and a high degree of satisfaction at work. Without taking accountability for one’s actions, he will find it difficult to take his company forward. There maybe a fall in quality and less turnover. Lack of accountability often arises from ineffective leadership practices and mindset. Low morale, unclear priorities, ineffective executions, and a low level of trust can together affect the future of a company. Hence, a positive outlook towards accountability is a must.
7. Vision and Purpose
There is no endeavor or work without a clear vision or purpose. Vision derives from the past, addresses the future and lives in today’s reality. Great leaders have strong visions to carry them to the end. There are numerous examples of people like J.K.Rowling, Walt Disney, Picasso, Gandhi, and others, who succeeded because of their clarity of vision and thought. Unfortunately, many organizations fail when their vision is short sighted or burdened with misconceptions. To map one’s vision, introspection, planning and management are key points to remember. Due to a lack in vision, projects and products suffer, team loses motivation, and people leave feeling uninspired. Therefore, a leader must have a clear idea of his vision and purpose. He has to communicate his vision properly to his team and the people he plans to work with.
