15 Qualities Every Good Leader Should Have

All leaders are different, and we all respond to different leadership styles. Whether you’re running a large corporation or you’re looking to improve your leadership skills as part of your self-development journey, good leadership qualities are essential to your success.

No one is a born leader, although some people are born with natural ease for these qualities. Regardless of your case, cultivating good leadership qualities takes time, practice, and refinement. Here are some qualities most people value in good leaders.

1. Good Communicator

The number one trait that will help strengthen your leadership status is your communication skills. The power of words is unmeasurable. The best leaders are known for the way they use words to inspire emotions and lead to breakthroughs. Keep in mind that being an excellent communicator goes beyond choosing the right words to say. It’s also about practicing active communication and deep listening.

2. Ability to Inspire

An offshoot of being an excellent communicator can inspire others. Inspiration is what makes people power through difficult times and come together to achieve their goals. Not to mention, motivation helps you define your purpose as a leader, for your business, or your brand.

3. Decisiveness

Good leaders don’t make decisions based solely on their position to make them. They’re willing to take the risk of decision-making. By understanding the risks and the potential wins, a good leader will be decisive about the next moves. Even if delegation is part of the process, good leaders are the ones to make the final decisions.

4. High Emotional Intelligence

When it comes to dominant leadership traits, emotional intelligence leads the charts. Being aware of the reasons behind an employee’s behavior is paramount to promote progress. Emotional intelligence integrates having empathy, being more connected, and not judging others. Check out your emotional intelligence score with this quiz.

5. Accountability

Everyone makes mistakes, and as a leader, you’re bound to make twice as many. Handling them with a positive attitude is one thing, but taking responsibility for your mistakes is what sets you apart. Great leaders take accountability not only for their mistakes but also for their team’s mistakes. By being accountable for yourself, you can easily make your organization responsible for their actions as well.

6. Honesty

Being an honest leader is a combination of keeping your integrity and accountability checked. If you genuinely want to make connections with others, being honest is the only way. Make sure everyone is aware of the culture you represent. Even during confrontations, don’t sugarcoat information. Be one hundred percent honest in your comments and feedback – in a compassionate and respectful matter, of course.

7. Confidence

A true leader is confident in their role as such. Taking ownership of how you act and think can be empowering to those around you. Know how to set the tone as a leader by displaying confidence in the words you choose, in the way you stand and walk, even by looking people in the eye – those are all displays of confidence.

8. Positivity & Enthusiasm

The only way to keep your team motivated is by carrying yourself with a positive mindset. When you show positivism, your team will feel happy and upbeat. Being enthusiastic about what your role is and the type of work you do rubs off. Remember, leaders, are looked to as sources of motivation and inspiration. Be that source.

9. Clarity & Transparency

Part of building confidence among your team lies clarity and transparency. Don’t hide information, give others the right visibility for them to choose to follow you. By giving your team members and those around you clarity into what your purpose and vision are, you’ll make them feel empowered and part of something bigger.

10. Ability to Delegate

Leaders can’t do it all. No one can do it all. Good leaders have an innate ability to know when they must delegate specific roles and tasks. By trusting those around you, a good leader will empower others to rise to the occasion. While some people might be good leaders in terms of having a following, not everyone can delegate.

11. Passion

Nothing will inspire others more than seeing someone passionate about what they do. The best leaders exhibit an innate passion for what they do and what they represent. Don’t be shy about your passion. Feel free to express your enthusiasm about a project, your role, or the company you work for to inspire others to be passionate about theirs.

12. Humility & Integrity

Good leaders are often confident, and having a following can often feel empowering. However, only the best leaders can be humble and maintain their integrity while building a following. Make sure you’re open to criticism and see it as a possibility or a call for growth. Be grateful for your support system, where you are, and how appreciative you’re about your role as a leader.

13. Empowerment

Beyond inspiring and motivating, a good leader is capable of empowering those around them. Those who excel at leadership are willing to recognize those around them to act autonomously and shine on their own. By developing trust and faith, leaders who empower believe in taking the time to train and coach those that show promise.

14. Commitment

When you’re a good leader, you don’t sit back and watch how your team performs. Good leaders can work alongside everyone else and show a commitment to the same causes and the main goals. Not only will your commitment earn you the respect of your peers, but it will also show how hardworking you’re and set the example for others to follow.

15. Creativity

Finally, good leaders have creative minds. When we talk about creativity, we don’t mean they are skilled painters or crafters. Instead, we say they’re great at problem-solving and have a keen eye for finding solutions that are sometimes viewed as out-of-the-box.

If improving your leadership qualities is part of your self-development journey this year, rest assured these should be your top priorities. Keep practicing and self-analyzing your progress to make sure you’re making the right strides to becoming a GR8 leader.