Qualities of a good leader
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”—Jim Rohn
Leadership is one of the best qualities a person can have. Some are born to lead while some inculcate the leader’s qualities as they grow up. As Warren Bennis has said, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” A leader is someone who takes up a task, no matter how difficult it might be and aims to bring it to a conclusion with the help of their team. We’ve had some of the world’s best leaders from Indian soil like Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Rani Laxmibai, Belawadi Mallamma, etc. who have led the way for several other leaders in all industries.
Though the circumstances might have changed, the qualities a leader must possess remain the same.
Eye on the job
A good leader must be able to think about how the goal they are working towards can be achieved perfectly rather than focusing on their personal development. When one focuses on the job at hand and finds ways to get it done, personal development happens inevitably and subconsciously.
Motivation towards work
Most importantly, a leader must have a vision and passion to work towards the goal and a desire to give their best and bring out the best in every team member.
Acceptance
A leader is not someone who excels at everything needed for the task to be done, but someone who acknowledges that someone else is better than them at certain things and uses their talent to the fullest
Make the best out of your team
A good leader is someone who recognizes the potential, strengths and weaknesses of every member of the team and uses that to the best advantage. Recognising the potential in a team is only possible if the leader takes initiative to know every member of the team. A good leader is someone who doesn’t necessarily have to know everything but has people who are good at what they do and knows how to bring out the best in them.
Equal treatment in a team
A true leader will never treat subordinates in an authoritarian way. Everyone deserves to be respected. No one wishes to be treated inferior. People are only happy working for a leader who treats them right. Kindness goes a long way.
Inclusivity of team members
A good leader must encourage the participation of every team member in all aspects of work. Strategic thinking, planning, creativity, and innovation must be encouraged by the leader.
Professional and Personal relationships
Building a personal relationship with a team member is a sign of a good leader. Apart from the professional setting, a leader must take efforts to get to know a team member better, personally, to improve networking and increase work efficiency.
Conflict Resolution
There may arise conflicts between the members of a team. It is the leader’s job to handle and resolve those in the most peaceful way possible. Communication is the best way to resolve such conflicts. When both sides sit and simply talk about their issues, it is easier to have everything on one table and see things clearly to resolve them.
Taking one for the team
A good leader must be accountable for their actions and sometimes the team’s actions. They may have to shield the team from difficult circumstances by being the face of the team and taking one for the team.
Generosity is a must
Nobility and having their feet on the ground are the qualities a leader must possess. No army can be victorious under an arrogant commander.
Some of us are indeed born to lead but that doesn’t mean we cannot become a good leaders throughout our life. It takes sheer will, determination and passion for the work at hand for one to inculcate the qualities mentioned above. With the right intention and motivation, anyone can transform into a leader people will look up to.
For more blogs, stay tuned. Let’s connect on social media! I’m a Mumbai-based corporate trainer, speaker, and educator. For enquiries, contact me on 9819648070 or write to me at riti@ritikapoorchopra.com.