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Leadership is not simply one skill, but rather a mosaic of qualities and personality traits that makes an individual a leader, a person people trust and are willing to follow.
An important part of leadership is its authority, and for people to accept this authority, it has to be legitimate. Leaders whose authority is not earned and not recognised are simply tyrants.
The definition describes leadership as a “process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal”. The definition focuses on “what” is it, but not on “how” it is done. And we all know that some people just have the necessary ingredients to be a good leader and others don’t.
Today, I want to outline 10 essential qualities of a leader, and I encourage you to reflect on them to determine, if you possess what it takes to be an effective leader.
Courage – This quality represents mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and face danger, fear, or difficulty. Courage involves doing what frightens others and shows bravery. The term comes from Old French “corage” and Latin “cor,” meaning ‘heart.’ Courageous leaders push through uncomfortable situations and make tough decisions. They don’t back down when challenges arise; instead, they persevere and strive. Courage inspires respect and trust from others.
Self-control – This quality refers to the ability to manage desires and emotions, especially in stressful situations. Leaders remain calm under pressure. Self-control allows individuals to regulate their responses, avoid undesirable behaviors, and achieve long-term goals. Controlling emotions and thoughts in the face of temptation is a crucial leadership skill.
Self-motivation – Leaders must drive themselves to take initiative and pursue goals. This internal force propels individuals forward. Self-motivated people act proactively and often go the extra mile due to their desire to perform at their best. They also resist failures and setbacks. Together, self-motivation and courage make them unstoppable.
Decisiveness – Effective leaders make decisions quickly and confidently, especially in tough circumstances. They understand their responsibility for those decisions. Being decisive means weighing pros and cons, calculating risks, making informed choices, and sticking to them.
Work ethic – Leaders must uphold a strong sense of ethical behavior and adhere to both formal and informal rules and standards. Furthermore, as role models, they should demonstrate exemplary work habits. In addition, they ensure that others understand and embody a high work ethic, fostering a culture of integrity and accountability within their teams.
Likeable personality – While being “likeable” may not initially seem essential for leadership, consider this: Would you rather work with someone you like? Research shows that likable leaders often perform better because of their positive demeanor. Moreover, although not everyone can be liked by all, traits such as openness, humility, and empathy are crucial for modern leaders. Thus, fostering a likeable personality can significantly enhance a leader’s effectiveness.
Sympathy and understanding – Leaders often fail when they become self-centered, forgetting that they need followers. The modern servant leadership model emphasizes the team’s importance. Leaders in this model focus on serving others, which requires empathy, active listening, and understanding. They welcome feedback, value others’ opinions, and encourage creativity.
Responsibility – A key element of leadership involves assuming responsibility. In business, this means making sustainable decisions that consider all stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, suppliers, and the community. Good leaders ensure tasks are completed and hold themselves accountable for results.
Cooperation and team spirit – Cooperative leaders participate in the same activities as their teams and do not demand special privileges. They remain accessible, open to feedback, and willing to collaborate. This approach flattens hierarchies, streamlines decision-making, and fosters team spirit—the willingness to work together towards common goals.
Visionary – Leaders must have a clear vision for the future. While focusing on short-term goals, they also need to consider long-term impacts. The decisions leaders make today influence tomorrow’s outcomes. Their vision and conviction should inspire others. Visionary leaders excel in communication, motivating teams to strive for shared objectives that benefit everyone.
