Whenever we stumble upon the word “leader”, a variety of images would come into our mind. It could be as mainstream as that of a political leader who’s running a cause for the good of the majority, or a ship captain who can hold the helm even if the sea is not calm, or perhaps a man who has turn his back from the crowd to lead an orchestra. The necessity of defining what leadership is may range from that of a national scale to as petty as electing a classroom officer in school. But conceivably the need for determining or identifying the essential qualities of a leader loom large in companies who are in dire need of hiring the best person who will take charge of the steering wheel and drive through the road of success even if it is a black velvet ribbon draped over the twilight hills.
So if you are a top-level manager trying to evaluate two persons vying for a particular high-rank position, I am doing you a little favour of saving your time of skimming the internet trying to figure out what qualities to look for in each of them. Here are the peculiar and essential characters which I believe they should possess:
1. Focus
If there is one thing common among top, middle and frontline manager that is the constant need to make important decisions. So, I cannot overemphasize the need for one to keep focused on substantive issues, regardless of how chaotic the circumstance is. Sometimes, going through one door must mean closing all others. If one will not be selectively receptive, trivial matters will drown the entire company.
2. Confidence
One must have an infectious silent confidence that screams loud. Apart from skills, confidence is also an unconquered army. If you’re presenting yourself with confidence, you can pull off pretty much anything.
3. Transparency
No one could be an effective team leader without earning the trust of his colleagues and one ticket to gaining that trust is transparency. Imagine a company with an upper management that is really transparent with everyone, that has this amplifying effect. The employees will be enticed to operate on the same wavelength.
4. Integrity
Even if there’s nobody who’s going to know whether you did it or not, a true team leader should do the right thing always. It has to be noted that our employees are a direct reflection of one’s values as a leader. You cannot expect your comrades to do the same if you can’t do it yourself.
5. Inspiration
In a corporate set-up, your team need your actions to inspire their actions. The inspirational leader should feel passionate about the vision and mission of the organization. They should also be able to share that passion in a way that enables others to feel passionate, too. Shared passion makes organizations soar in the accomplishment of their mission and vision.
6. Passion
Although there is a merit to the statement that we would all be remiss if we didn’t think that some kind of recognition for efforts and accomplishments didn’t make us feel good, a true leader should not only do it because he is being rated. He should work really hard because he is passionate.
7. Innovation
With the advent of technology, we cannot deny the fact that Innovation is now the central issue in economic prosperity. You cannot survive in business without at least a modicum of innovation.The leader must be a visionary who leads the organisation, and who can see opportunities outside the box. Not only that, that person must also have the ability to engender enthusiasm and innovation from the other members of their team.
8. Patience
A company’s dream will never be handed down in silver platter. A team leader must realize that things will be difficult first before it becomes easy. He must have the ability to wait and must possess the right attitude during the waiting game.
9. Stoicism
A true team leader must be able to foresee unexpected failures or unscrupulous enemies to avoid aggravating things further. One must make enough room for worst case scenarios so that things will not turn out into fatal resolutions.
10. Authenticity
A leader must not barter his courage to be his self for approval. This is one of the most precious commodity as a leader. He might pick up skills along the way, but he should never lose his authentic voice.
11. Open-mindedness
While it is true that a leader must have a concrete goal in mind, he must still be very nimble and very open minded. Sometimes success is going to be very dependent on how you are going to adapt. The true leader must not ask reality to conform to his blueprint, but he must be able to transform his blueprint to adapt to reality.
12. Decisiveness
For one to be a dynamic leader, he must realize that indecisiveness is the number one reason for failure. Lack of ability to make a decision in a timely manner will cause the company to fail with its projects and plans. He must from time to time identify the challenge and decide to no longer let it be a setback from their success.
13. Empowerment
A true leader should not fall into the pitfall of micromanaging his team. To build an ‘overachieving’ team, he must need to delegate responsibility and authority. Gifted employees are more likely to stay in a company where their capacities are given ample importance.
14. Positivity
It is inevitable that the team is going to go through tough times. But a good team lead must bear in mind that “Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.” He must see the positive in negative events. In that way, other team players will be able to draw strength from him.
15. Generosity
A leader must be generous enough to share the limelight with other team members. He must make it a point that he will be able to build up others and help them grow as individuals.
16. Persistence
He must have the quality that allows someone to continue doing something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people. This character of not being easily swayed paired with all other traits herein mentioned will turn hopeless failure to glorious success.
17. Insightfulness
A true team leader who had his character pruned throughout the years must be able to distinguish that which is really important from all the incoming fires.
18. Communication
There is also a need for a leader to be an excellent communicator. There is a constant need for him to communicate his expectations. One cannot blame someone of falling short of his expectation, if he has not openly expressed it to the team.
19. Accountability
Another indicator of a good leader is one’s capacity to own up to his mistakes and shortcomings. He must not point fingers when things don’t turn out as planned.
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