Traits of a Great Leader

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Summary

Great leadership is not defined by titles or authority, but by the ability to inspire, guide, and support others towards growth, success, and shared goals. Effective leaders exhibit a blend of emotional intelligence, integrity, humility, and a focus on the well-being and development of their teams.

  • Prioritize emotional awareness: Understand and manage not just your emotions but also those of your team, creating an environment of trust, psychological safety, and mutual respect.
  • Lead with values and vision: Anchor your decisions in integrity and values, while consistently communicating a clear and inspiring vision for the team to rally behind.
  • Embrace accountability: Own your mistakes, share credit with your team, and establish transparent systems to ensure responsibility is shared and upheld.
Summarized by AI based on LinkedIn member posts
  • Admirable traits of strong leadership: 1. Humility - a beginner’s mindset that is open to new ideas and less judgmental. A mindset free of prejudice. A quiet mind that values actions and impact above words. 2. Honestly - radical transparency with grace and dignity. The ability to give feedback without causing resentment is a superpower. The ability to admit mistakes quickly and to ask for forgiveness. And a willingness to show vulnerability. 3. Self-awareness (situational awareness) - reading the room and balancing one’s contributions to ensure a value exchange that benefits all. Knowing when to speak and when to listen. Knowing that given a choice of being clever or kind, being kind is right choice. It is balancing ambition with value. 4. Sense of humor - do not take yourself too seriously and stay accessible. Show passion and ambition but not at a cost to others. Make people comfortable and at ease. Laugh loudly but welcome humor with open arms. But not at the expense to others. 5. Active listening (hear the unsaid and listen with your eyes) - if you are waiting for a pause, so that you can speak, you are not truly listening. And the most important part of listening is the ability to hear the unsaid. 6. Interest in others (empathy) - be interesting first. The goal is to leave people better than when you found them. Everyone you meet knows more about something than you do. Care more about the people around you. 7. Generosity (giving) - the coolest people I know are unselfishly generous with their time and knowledge. Give more than you take. And give without expecting a get. The strongest leaders give more than they take. Takers may end up with more, but givers sleep better at night. 8. Intellectual curiosity -learn to search for the grounded truth. And be willing to change your mind when the facts and the truth contradicts your prior beliefs. The strongest leaders are lifelong students. And also lifelong teachers. Start with 4 word: what do you think? 9. Good manners - be nice and polite to all. This may be life’s biggest hack. Say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ more. Hold doors a bit longer. Do not interrupt people. Do not brag. Do not shout or speak poorly of others. Be a good person, but do not waste time trying to prove it. 10. No sense or entitlement - the world does not owe you a thing. The best people that I know are not chasing compliments or validation. Learn to fight for your happiness and do it with dignity, optimism and grace. Fall in love with the work, not the praise. 11. Positioning for shared success - In a celebration, lead from the back. In a crisis, lead from the front. In the company of someone that has a better idea, follow first. Leadership is anout positioning and standing in the right places. 12. Legacy of servant leadership - The best leaders leave everything and everyone better than when they found them. You will be remembered by how often you helped others achieve their goals.

  • View profile for Jim Fielding

    Coaching Executives and Teams to Drive Growth with Authenticity and Radical Kindness | Bestselling Author | Championing LGBTQ+ Community | Former Exec at Disney, Dreamworks, Fox

    17,417 followers

    Real leaders vs. Performance managers - my POV. The difference isn't in the boardroom. It's in the hallways, parking lots, and team meetings. After 30+ years coaching executives, Here's your field guide to spot authentic leaders: 1) They lead with EQ, not ego ↳ Reads the room before speaking ↳ Comfortable with silence ↳ Asks "How are you?" and actually listens 2) Masters of "Kind but Clear" ↳ Delivers tough messages with empathy ↳ No sugar-coating, but no harshness ↳ Makes hard decisions with a human touch 3) Consistency is their superpower ↳ Same person in every room ↳ Actions match their words ↳ No Jekyll and Hyde leadership 4) They own their mistakes ↳ Takes blame, shares credit ↳ Turns failures into learning moments ↳ Vulnerability isn't weakness - it's their strength 5) Vision with feet on the ground ↳ Big dreams + practical steps ↳ Brings others along the journey ↳ Makes the future feel possible 6) Communication that cuts through ↳ More listening than talking ↳ Asks powerful questions ↳ Clarity over complexity, always 7) Decision-making that includes ↳ Seeks diverse perspectives ↳ Makes the call when needed ↳ Explains the 'why' behind choices 8) Emotional awareness is their radar ↳ Reads between the lines ↳ Creates safe spaces ↳ Handles tension with grace 9) Growth mindset in action ↳ Lives as a perpetual student ↳ Shares lessons openly ↳ Encourages experimentation 10) Results through relationships ↳ Builds trust before tasks ↳ Celebrates others' wins ↳ Leaves people better than found These leaders aren't perfect. They're perfectly authentic. 💡 Which trait resonates most with you? Share your leadership story below 👇 Tag a leader who exemplifies these traits Follow for more leadership insights

  • View profile for Andrew Lokenauth
    Andrew Lokenauth Andrew Lokenauth is an Influencer

    I write TheFinanceNewsletter.com, trusted by 100,000+ professionals➖ Follow to get smarter with your career, finances & life ➖ 20yrs in finance, trusted by 3 million+ followers.

    309,550 followers

    Job titles don‘t make you a leader. Here‘s what does: 1. Emotional Intelligence: Great leaders use their emotional intelligence to build strong connections, have tough conversations with empathy, and create an environment where people feel heard and valued. 2. Leading by Example: Leaders inspire the qualities they want to see in their team members, such as hard work, dedication, and integrity, by demonstrating these qualities. 3. Owning Mistakes: Great leaders take full accountability when things go wrong instead of deflecting blame. They own their mistakes, apologize, and focus on finding solutions. It encourages a culture of transparency and continuous improvement. 4. Providing Mentorship: They share their knowledge and experience to help others grow. They take the time to coach, provide feedback, and help others grow their skills and reach their potential. 5. Gratitude: It’s about showing thankfulness and valuing the work of your team. It helps build a positive work environment and strengthens relationships. 6. Integrity: Leaders with integrity tell the truth, honor their word, and uphold values over politics or personal gain. It involves doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. 7. Humility: They recognize that they don’t have all the answers and are open to learning from others. Recognizing that you don't have all the answers and being open to feedback and criticism is essential for growth and improvement as a leader. 8. Accountability: Accountability means taking ownership of your team's results, whether they are positive or negative. It fosters a culture of reliability and trust. 9. Empowering Others: Real leaders enable their people by delegating important work, setting clear responsibilities, and getting out of the way. 10. Empathy: The best leaders can put themselves in someone else's shoes. They see things from other perspectives and make efforts to understand the whole context of a situation before judging or reacting. ♻️ Too many people deal with bad managers, please help them by sharing this post!

  • View profile for George Stern

    Entrepreneur, speaker, author. Ex-CEO, McKinsey, Harvard Law, elected official. Volunteer firefighter. ✅Follow for daily tips to thrive at work AND in life.

    352,175 followers

    12 traits of an authentic leader: Great leaders don't pretend to be someone they're not, Or try to "always be on." What employees crave today is a leader who is: 1) Present ↳Shows up fully - not distracted or performative ↳Ex: Puts their phone away and listens deeply during 1-on-1s 2) Honest ↳Says what's true, even when it's hard ↳Ex: Kindly tells someone when their work isn't meeting expectations 3) Vulnerable ↳Willing to share doubts and mistakes ↳Ex: Admits they made the wrong call on a past project 4) Grounded ↳Acts from values, not ego or fear ↳Ex: Declines a flashy opportunity that doesn't align with the mission 5) Emotionally Attuned ↳Feels deeply and makes space for others to feel too ↳Ex: Notices a team member seems off and checks in with care 6) Accountable ↳Owns the impact of their choices ↳Ex: Apologizes to someone on their team for speaking too sharply 7) Transparent ↳Explains the why, not just the what ↳Ex: Communicates company risks openly instead of sugarcoating them 8) Courageous ↳Does the right thing, even when it costs them ↳Ex: Pushes back on a leader's decision that feels unethical 9) Self-Aware ↳Knows their patterns, strengths, and blind spots ↳Ex: Notices they dominate meetings, so makes space for others to speak 10) Humble ↳Leads without trying to be above others ↳Ex: Gives others the spotlight instead of taking credit 11) Consistent ↳Words and actions match - onstage and off ↳Ex: Follows the same rules they ask others to follow 12) Open-Minded ↳Willing to rethink and relearn ↳Ex: Changes their stance after hearing better ideas from the team The best leaders aren't perfect. They're real. And they're needed now more than ever. Have you had a leader like this before? --- ♻️ Repost to inspire more authentic leaders. And follow me George Stern for more content like this. 

  • View profile for Blaine Vess

    Bootstrapped to a $60M exit. Built and sold a YC-backed startup too. Investor in 50+ companies. Now building something new and sharing what I’ve learned.

    31,564 followers

    Leadership is the cornerstone of any successful team or organization. But what truly defines an effective leader? It’s not just about holding a title—it’s about embodying qualities that inspire, guide, and empower others to achieve their best. Here are the key traits that set great leaders apart and the impact they have on their teams and organizations: 1. Visionary Thinking: Great leaders have a clear vision for the future and the ability to communicate it effectively. This inspires teams to align their efforts toward shared goals. 2. Emotional Intelligence: Leaders with high emotional intelligence can connect with their teams on a deeper level. They understand and manage emotions—both their own and others’—to foster trust and collaboration. 3. Decisiveness: In times of uncertainty, strong leaders make prompt and effective decisions. This ability to navigate challenges with confidence ensures that teams stay focused and resilient. 4. Integrity: Trust is the foundation of leadership. Leaders who act with integrity earn the respect of their teams, creating an environment where collaboration thrives. 5. Adaptability: The ability to embrace change and remain flexible is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. Leaders like 6. Effective Communication: Clear and open communication is essential for aligning teams, resolving conflicts, and inspiring action. Leaders who listen as much as they speak create a culture of mutual respect and understanding. The Impact of Strong Leadership: - Increased Productivity: Teams led by effective leaders are more engaged and motivated, leading to higher productivity and efficiency. - Enhanced Innovation: Visionary leaders encourage creativity, resulting in groundbreaking ideas and solutions. - Improved Employee Satisfaction: Leaders with emotional intelligence and integrity foster a positive workplace culture, reducing turnover and increasing loyalty. - Better Financial Performance: Studies show that organizations with strong leadership are 1.5 times more likely to outperform their peers financially. - Crisis Management: During challenging times, effective leaders provide stability and direction, helping teams navigate uncertainty with confidence. Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about understanding your team, adapting to their needs, and continuously learning and growing. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, these qualities can make all the difference. What leadership qualities do you value the most? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Let’s discuss how we can all strive to be better leaders.

  • View profile for Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC
    Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC is an Influencer

    Executive coach to CEOs and senior leaders | Named one of the world’s 50 most influential coaches by Thinkers50 | Harvard Business Review Contributor | Wharton MBA | Master Certified Coach (MCC)-Int’l Coach Federation

    30,945 followers

    8 rare traits I see in every high-performing leader: I've coached 200+ leaders from companies worldwide. It's not just their strategy and execution that matter. It's the intangibles that often make the biggest impact. Here's what I've seen that sets the best ones apart: 1. Empathetic Strength – They forge deep connections, understanding their teams well beyond the surface. 2. Insatiable Curiosity – Always learning, they're in a constant state of evolution and growth. 3. Adaptive Resilience – Like water, they flow around obstacles with ease. They always find a way forward. 4. Infectious Optimism – Their positive energy not only makes work fun, it elevates everyone around them. 5. Unwavering Integrity – They're true to their word. Building trust is the cornerstone of their leadership. 6. Passionate Drive – It's the journey that thrills them. They're always setting their sights higher. 7. Straight-Up Accountability – Leading by example, they take ownership and inspire others to do the same. 8. Humble Confidence – They know their worth but don't overshadow others. They let their team shine. Great leaders are made, not born. Reflect on these traits. Which do you see in yourself? Which ones will you develop? The best time to start is now. P.S. What's the most important trait of a leader? ___________ If you found this helpful, repost ♻️ to share with others. Thanks! And follow Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC for more leadership tips.

  • View profile for Dr. Chris Mullen

    👋Follow for posts on personal growth, leadership & the world of work 🎤Keynote Speaker 💡 inspiring new ways to create remarkable employee experiences, so you can build a 📈 high-performing & attractive work culture

    115,668 followers

    5 Qualities Every Great Leader Has — Do You Have Them? Over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with leaders from various industries. I’ve also led teams myself, gaining firsthand experience. During that time, I've identified 5 essential qualities of great leaders. → Vision: to set direction and inspire the team → Emotional Intelligence: to build strong relationships → Adaptability: to stay resilient in the face of challenges → Integrity: to build trust and lead by example → Communication: to foster open dialogue and collaboration ... As well as what happens when each is missing. • Operating without vision = "Aimlessness" • Lack of emotional intelligence = "Disconnection" • Inflexibility = "Stagnation" • Acting without integrity = "Distrust" • Poor communication = "Misalignment" And remember, these qualities can be developed. The best leaders constantly learn, adapt, and grow. Your team and company will thank you! __________ ♻️ Repost to help others. 🔔 Follow Dr. Chris Mullen for more.

  • View profile for Rene Godefroy

    Motivational Keynote Speaker to boost morale and build resilience in tough times. | Trusted by Coca-Cola, Aflac, AT&T, and the US Army. | From a poor Haitian village to Fortune 500 stages.

    12,581 followers

    Your title doesn’t make you a leader. The T.I.R.E. framework does. There are plenty of ways to get a title: → Know the right people.   → Play office politics.   → Brown-nose enough.  But none of that creates authentic leadership. You can walk around feeling important. You can boss people around. That's not the approach of a genuine leader. True leadership is built on a framework I call T.I.R.E. Let me break it down for you: 𝟭. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁   ↳ Real leaders are transparent.   ↳ They’re upfront, consistent, and fair.   ↳ Their very presence makes people say, “I trust you.” 𝟮. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆   ↳ They always do the right thing, no matter the pressure.   ↳ Their actions are guided by values—not money, power, or status. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆   ↳ They are dependable.   ↳ When they make a promise, they deliver.   ↳ They keep their word to others and to themselves. 4. Empathy   ↳ They care about their team members as human beings.   ↳ They understand emotions and create psychological safety. When leaders embody T.I.R.E., they earn what money can’t buy: Respect and loyalty. That’s why, when a great leader leaves a company, some team members often follow them. It’s because they are loyal to the leader—not the company. Which of these four traits do you think is the most critical for leaders? Share in the comments! 📩 Need a speaker, trainer, or coach to help your leadership team implement the T.I.R.E. framework? Send me a DM. 📌 Follow me for more videos like this. 📌 Found this useful? Repost it. ♻️ #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #TIREFramework

  • View profile for Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.

    Professor, Author, Speaker, Podcaster, Expert in Leadership

    20,895 followers

    As a leader, knowing if you're on the right track can be difficult. Take a minute and see if you align with these indicators of great leaders. Great leadership is challenging. If you do it well, you are like an Olympian—you make the most difficult moves in the world look easy. Beyond the metric of "results," how do you know if you are on the right track? Here are 13 indicators. Stack these, and I would guess you are in a pretty good place. 🚀 You clearly outline expectations & roles ↳ Your team knows precisely what is expected to win with you. There are clear goals, deadlines, and roles. 😌 You remain calm & measured under stress ↳ You set a positive and measured tone for your team (even through challenges). You model emotional intelligence. 👊 You adapt to individual needs ↳ You understand that each person is an individual and adjust accordingly. 🥇 You know their goals & aspirations ↳ You see your team as individuals, know their goals, and prioritize their growth and development. 📖 You are open to learning from others ↳ You understand your limitations and are open to learning from others in your environment. Saying "I don't know" is a strength. 🤔 You genuinely seek (& use) feedback ↳ You ask for input often and act on it (modeling humility and a commitment to personal growth). 🙂 You remain consistent in your behavior ↳ Your team knows what to expect from you—this reliability builds trust. 🤝 You ensure respectful debating ↳ You have established norms about how the team will disagree, debate, and "rumble," as Brene Brown would say. 🕧 You encourage accountability ↳ You have high expectations and build systems of accountability for you and the team. 😉 You build teams that support each other ↳ Team members feel free to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas without fear. 💡 You know that others have great ideas too ↳ You welcome innovation from any source and give credit where it’s due. 🔭 You spark true excitement about the vision ↳ You consistently communicate your shared purpose - inspiring people to go beyond the status quo. 😎 You inspire teams to go above & beyond ↳ Your leadership energizes them to exceed expectations and take initiative. Your time is 'committed' and not simply 'complying.' So what do you think? Are you on the right track? Celebrate those you have locked in. Choose one to practice - today, tomorrow, and the next day. In fact, practice every day. You have 40+ hours of practice time each week. Use it. And what would you add to the list? What have I missed? Throw it into the comments below! 👊 *** ♻️ Re-post or share so others can lead more effectively 🔔 Turn on notifications for my latest posts 🤓 Follow me at Scott J. Allen, Ph.D. for daily content on leadership 📌 Design by Bela Jevtovic

  • View profile for Craig Leach, MBA
    Craig Leach, MBA Craig Leach, MBA is an Influencer

    I Work with Senior Leaders to Build Teams that Shape the Future | Executive Search | C-Suite | Top Voice 2024

    8,016 followers

    I’m passionate about effective leadership. In my early career, I missed countless opportunities because I didn't recognize what true leadership looked like. Avoid my mistakes. Here are 11 signs you're working with a great leader: 1. Integrity First They do what’s right, regardless of who’s watching. As Bill Campbell said, "It's not about what you say. It's about what you do." 2. Results-Oriented They focus on outcomes, not just hours worked. Results are what matter in business, not promises or clocked hours. 3. Humility They're open to admitting mistakes and eager to learn from anyone. Ego has no place in their world. 4. Emotional Intelligence They can read people and situations effectively, using empathy and understanding to navigate complex dynamics. 5. Resilient They see setbacks as steps forward. Their persistence is infectious, proving that while enthusiasm is common, endurance is rare. 6. Adaptable They adjust to changes effortlessly and even champion them. As Max McKeown says, “All success is successful adaptation.” 7. Innovative They cultivate a creative environment and encourage bold ideas. "Status quo" isn't part of their vocabulary. 8. Authentic They are genuine and avoid playing politics. What you see is what you get: real, raw, and relatable. 9. Transparent They share the truth openly, believing that clear communication is a form of respect. 10. Active Listeners They don't just hear; they listen to understand, making others feel genuinely heard. 11. Relationship-Oriented They invest in authentic connections, showing real interest in others' lives. Find this helpful? ♻️ Share it with your network and follow https://lnkd.in/eyKYdvm6 for more insights on effective leadership. #Leadership #Management #Integrity #EmotionalIntelligence #Innovation #ActiveListening

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