5 Traits of Good Leadership

Leaders are not solely defined by what they accomplish. They also leave a legacy behind them for those who follow in their footsteps. It is important that leaders not only focus on what tasks they complete, but also the legacy the leave in their personal and business relationships.

These are five basic principles that, while not covering everything people need to effectively lead, will form a basis for you to start thinking about how you can nurture and guide others successfully.

1. Communication

Successful leaders must have a vision of what they want to achieve. If they cannot clearly communicate their vision to others, they will have a much harder time achieving their goals. Good communication is vital to the success of any group. It keeps the group on task and gives them unity in their decision making. Communication skills can also help reveal deeper truths about the people around you, providing opportunities to develop empathy for those around you.

2. Empathy

While people may join a leader because they believe in their cause, they will stay with that leader when they feel heard and understood. Empathy develops connections between people that are far stronger than any business contract. If people feel that a leader cares not only about what they can do, but also about who they are and what they are going through, they usually feel more fulfilled and dedicated. When empathy is fully embraced, care for others will plainly show through both a leader’s words and actions.

3. Transparency

In order to follow leaders into unknown territory, people need to trust their instincts and decisions. Instead of hiding the struggles of the decision-making process, one should openly share that process with their associates when appropriate. This can give your followers confidence in their own autonomy and will provide an example of openness for those around you. While being transparent about your struggles may make you feel vulnerable, it will increase the confidence and positivity of people around you in ways you might not expect.

4. Positivity

It cannot be overstated how integral positivity is to success. While being realistic is a necessary part of business, a positive attitude will give people confidence to soar. Optimism and vision can guide your employees or volunteers through the hard, stressful times without losing sight of the larger goals. Positivity also has an impact on your personal life as well. When people see the effects of optimism in your day-to-day life both in and out of work, it can inspire them to live out greater positivity in their lives as well.

5. Humility

A leader who only aspires to raise themselves above others will quickly lose the support of their followers. Humility, like transparency, brings vulnerability back into the equation and makes leaders much more relatable to those around them. This relatability boosts confidence in a leader among those who follow them. Humility also shows care for the well-being of those in the group. If people know you are working side-by-side to achieve your goals rather than focusing on self-promotion, they will be more inclined to follow you and your vision.

Leading is never easy, especially when a leader has so many eyes watching what they say and do at all times. It is tempting to get caught up in quantifying achievements and ignoring the difficult interpersonal work that leadership requires. However, that development is a necessary part of creating a cohesive team that will work toward your vision and rally around you when you need it most.