What makes a strong leader? How do you stack up?
Leadership skills are among the most sought after in any environment, both personal and professional, but it’s not always clear how to act in situations to get the very most out of the team around us.
A good leader possesses a number of qualities that put them and their team in the best positions, ready to work, act and react to obstacles face. There’s often a lot of confusion and debate about how a leader should act and respond. Should it be from the front or the back? What’s the best way for teams to mesh? Etc. etc.
One thing’s for certain though, strong leaders always have a combination of these 7 qualities:
Vision
A good leader needs to have a vision of what they’re trying to accomplish.
It doesn’t need to be crystal clear and it’s okay not to know the details of a project in the beginning, but as time passes, the vision builds and the steps required to reach the goal and created.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it needs to be a vision.
Courage
Any good leader needs courage and lots of it.
For times of uncertainty and struggle, it’s the leader that the team looks to for support. With a courageous leader at the helm, it allows the reassurance needed to let a team know that everything’s going to be okay.
Integrity
Integrity is another key quality possessed by the best leaders.
An honest approach with strong moral principles is something we don’t see enough of in modern times – but for good leaders, it’s imperative. Keeping true to the heart and keeping true to morals is difficult at times, but is so important for the long run.
Humility
Getting ‘too big for your boots’ has been the downfall of countless people, leaders included, throughout history and by learning from others mistakes, it’s a pretty sure thing that humility is a fantastic quality for successful leaders.
Keeping modest and humble is so important to prevent the head from flying in the clouds. Better decisions will be made and less outlandish risks taken – forming the best leadership.
Cooperation
Last but not least comes cooperation and ranks as maybe the highest strong leadership skill.
Although not often talked about, cooperation is key for working with others, leading a team and following through with/making deals. It’s this cooperation that allows for compromise where necessary, allowing for the best solution for all.
It’s a key quality that leads to a key tactic in leaders.
Want to know how you stack up? Take our quiz on leadership to see what type of leader you are – you never know you might find yourself pleasantly surprised!
How do you stack up?
About the Author: nikkyvb
Nikky van Bommel is the Marketing Director for Big 5 Assessments and has worked in the Psychometric Testing industry for over 10 years. Nikky is responsible for all marketing and social media for the organisation.