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| Twenty Traits of Good Leadership Now, more than ever, you need to be a leader in your business and in your career. The uncertain economic times require that more time be spent working on your business instead of just in it. Here are some traits that you might want to review to see how many you have and how many you need to gain. 1. Leaders set a vision. All organizations that are on the path to somewhere have a vision. That vision has been articulated to stakeholders involved. Do you have a vision? When was the last time it was updated? 2. Leaders set the mission for the firm. A mission is what sets you apart and states what your organization does. Everyone knows what it is, and believe me, it is not “just to make money.” When was the last time you reviewed your company’s mission? 3. Leaders are secure in themselves. All those you command and serve must see a positive attitude. It is virtually impossible to be an effective leader without it. If you don’t have it now, you better get started learning how to get one, and soon! Do you have a positive attitude? 4. Leaders control their attitudes. Your success in life is based more on your mental attitude than you mental capability. You make yourself with your disposition. Attitude is shown in tone of voice, facial expressions, handwriting, posture, handshake, your voice mail message, decision-making, delegating, and management style. Your outlook always seeps through. Have you looked in the mirror lately? 5. Leaders are tenacious. They keep going until something stops them, and then they still keep going. Accomplishing things takes time, but people want determined leaders. When you get knocked down, do you get back up? 6. Leaders continuously improve themselves. You have got to get better and better, or you will be left behind. CEOs should continuously be in an improving mode. They listen to the advice of others and then try to act on it. They devote ample time to learning and talk to a wide variety of people. Learn what you need to know, then learn it. Even if you don’t like it or don’t want to . How much time do you spend learning? 7. Leaders are honest and ethical. Honesty is truth, integrity, being genuine, equitable, fair, and frank. It implies an absence of fraud, deceit, and deception. Being honest will set you apart from others. Are you ethical and honest? 8. Leaders think before they talk. Leaders pause and think through what they are going to say. Leaders tend to act quickly but they think slowly. Do you tend to speak more than you listen? 9. Leaders are original. The CEO must set the standard for those that they lead. Imagination is important. They won’t follow if they have better ways of doing things. They ask, “Is it a change? Does it improve things? How can we adapt that and take it one step farther?” Do you ask people questions to stimulate their thinking? Or, do you discourage others? 10. Leaders are publicly modest. Secure people can be publicly modest. Insecure people are not. Leaders graciously accept nice things people have said about them, but they don’t always believe it. Leaders give and share credit more than deserved. How much credit do you give others? 11. Leaders are decisive. Leaders listen to their team. They ask, “How do you like to have things happen?” How would you approach this?” “What have you seen that works well in this situation?” How much time do you spend asking questions? Or do you have all the answers? Leaders never allow their board of directors to make decisions they themselves should make. Avoid micro-management. 12. Leaders are gutsy and a little wild. Leaders take risks. They believe “No guts, no glory.” How much risk are you willing to take? 13. Leaders have a sense of humor. They have and use a sense of humor. Secure people can laugh at themselves. The typical child laughs 400 times a day, but adults laugh only about 15. How much time do you spend getting people to laugh or even smile? 14. Leaders are competitive. Business life is a constant competition. Leaders understand that competition is a good thing for personal and professional growth because it sharpens skills and gets the blood flowing. They recognize that learning only happens from the battle. How much time do you spend rallying your troops for battles? Or do you fight them all by yourself? 15. Leaders are detail oriented. Leaders know the details of what matters. They take full responsibility for the outcome. They know that the higher the position, the more important details become. How much of a handle do you have on the details that can make or break your business? 16. Leaders are good at their job, and willing to lead. Leaders came from someplace and are both a specialist and a generalist. Leaders set the tone for the rest of the team. Leaders set clear expectations for people. They have an obvious presence. Do you lead or manage? 17. Leaders fight for their people. Leaders know that if you want your team to be there for you, you must back them. They recognize that they get what they give. Do you fight for or with your people? They should always be sure that their team members are paid appropriate salaries based on their performance and in alignment with any comparable salary scales. 18. Leaders admit mistakes, but are not apologetic. Leaders understand that as long as people are involved, mistakes will happen. They seek to take corrective action, and get on with the business. Do you admit your mistakes or are you above doing that? 19. Leaders are straightforward. Leaders of any size organization are busy, and hate it when people beat around the bush. Do you dance around the subject, despite how much it needs to be addressed, or do you get to the point? 20. Leaders are nice. Leaders make tough decisions, but have a kind personality. Leaders: Set employees needs at top of all their priorities. Do not procrastinate. Are good listeners. Do not preach. Speak with confidence and knowledge of their subject. Avoid uhs and ums. Have strong work habits, are well organized, and show a good example to subordinates Delegate in such manner that staff welcomes the opportunity to comply. Never assign tasks without asking their staff member how the assignment will fit into their work schedule. Then, jointly decide how and when the proposed assigned task is to be handled. Always, informs their staff of their where-abouts when away from their office. Supports total staff scheduling to ensure proper office coverage. |
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