Peter Drucker rightly quoted that “Leadership is to lift a person’s vision to higher sights, raise a person’s performance to higher standard and build a personality beyond the normal limitations.” Now we will discuss the most important traits required for a great leadership.
Clarity of purpose
The top leaders need to show how the decisions taken by others are aligned with the organization’s goals, ethics, targets and vision. There should be a single purpose for every person to reach the pinnacle and great leaders not only pursue by themselves but at the same time empower others.
The tasks need to be defined
A leader should clearly express the tasks with coherence and clarity to the others. After determining the duties, provide autonomy to the people and motivate them that the job can be done. A leader should not micromanage the employees but should allow them to do their task and excel at it.
Focused on getting results
A leader should have a good sense of understanding about the vision of the project or the business. One should prioritize the tasks, stay focused and commit to excellence.
Decisive Leadership
Acting decisively avoids vacillation and stagnation. A leader must know the process to keep the team moving forward with inspiration and self-motivation. But at the same time being adaptable and responsible for new information and change is equally important.
Confidence
The best leaders need to have a positive body language and must inculcate the habit of leading with confidence so that the people truly respect them. They love accepting new challenges and become an example to others by showing that they are not afraid of new projects or roles.
One should possess a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude gives the power to tackle any circumstances. The job of a leader is exhaustive and tough, so a positive attitude goes a long way to see the bigger picture. It acts as a catalyst that helps in achieving extraordinary results. The best leaders are aware of their emotions and the thought process. They are very much aware that there is negativity in each of them, but it’s their choice to foster the negativity or not.
Solution oriented
Every industry, business or market has its challenges and problems. The best leaders don’t play the blame game or get caught up with small details. They are focused solely on the solutions. At times, when they don’t get the expected results, they concentrate on the current task and find a way to keep it moving forward.
Accountability
Great power comes with a lot of responsibility. The top leaders understand that mistakes and failures are part and parcel of their lives. So they need to owe the full responsibility of the team. When a leader accepts the blame for everything, that moment he/she can change the whole scenario.
Honest feedback
People must share genuine feedback with their leaders. A leader must know what their team is thinking and the top leaders don’t argue with the mates who disagree on a particular situation. They value the importance of contribution, raising one’s voice and engaging with everyone.
Humility
A leader must cultivate a sense of humility to others. Being humble does not mean that one should hide his/her accomplishments. Modesty is just having a real identity, admitting the failures and mistakes and also encouraging others to do the same.
Effective communication
A leader must be transparent and open with the company’s values and ethics to the others. It ensures that there is a proper communication among all the employees in an organization so that there is no contradiction.
Active listening
One of the most essential traits in a good leader is to let other people speak. By listening actively to the other members, a leader is showing respect to the others. They encourage the people and never prompt others while speaking.
Five Habits to Avoid for Developing Effective Leadership
Blaming others quickly
A good leadership takes the responsibility themselves and doesn’t blame others for the failures knowing very well that he/she is the ultimate responsible person. Trust and great teamwork are built when a leader takes the full responsibility.
Need to focus on the long-term
The top leaders always have a vision for ten to twenty years and not look for a mere five to ten year period. They want their people to be disciplined, empowered and equipped with all the necessary information that is required to sustain for a more extended period.
Decision making should be centralized
When the leaders lead a team, the team members are mere followers and they don’t have the zeal to do something extra and feel like subordinates. The members don’t possess decision making powers. Hence, it is the duty of the leader is to make them take independent decisions and empower them to think out of the box to cultivate a sense of passion and energy among them.
Never stop learning
A great leader always innovates while a bad leader becomes stagnant after getting the leadership position. One should always invest in learning and development to become a better human being.
Thinking that one needs to be a Hero
There was an old African proverb that quotes “If one wants to go fast then go alone. If one wants to go far then go together”. It is a very powerful lesson for everyone. One needs to be surrounded with positive and intellectual people, speak less, listen more and always ask for help when needed.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, leadership is about partnerships, relationships, teams and something which motivates people for contributing. One should cultivate excellence and creativity while always seeking new advice and ideas. I would like to end the essay with a famous quote by Robin Sharma” Always think like a pro, learn to lead like a warrior, produce like Picasso and love others like a saint.”