There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to leading teams. There are many different leadership styles, each with its own merits and drawbacks. Some leaders like to guide their team using rewards and penalties. Others like to inspire their teams to innovate, while other leaders like to serve first and lead second. Each leadership style takes some trial and error to get it right.
While every leader is different, the best leaders exemplify certain qualities. Robert Glazer, founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, says you can identify 10 common qualities in great leaders. We share his thoughts on these leadership qualities in this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.
1. Integrity. The best leaders are always honest and do what they say they are going to do. They earn their employees’ trust and always act for the greater good.
2. Humility. No one likes leaders who think they are better than their employees. Great leaders make themselves approachable and show their vulnerable side to their team. This humility inspires others to instinctively want to work with them to achieve their goals, says Glazer.
3. A desire to empower others. The best leaders hire the right people and then get out of their way. They do not micromanage, and they do not try to take on everything themselves. Instead, Glazer says they establish clear goals and values and help others work according to those principles.
4. Solid communication skills. Most leaders got to where they are because they know how to communicate well. The best leaders are powerful communicators, inspiring others to action and making sure their team members understand their directives.
5. An ability to share their vision. Glazer says that great leaders do not just set a compelling vision for the future—they also attract and inspire others to join them on the journey. They know how to communicate their vision with clarity and specificity, and they exude passion when it comes to reaching goals.
6. Empathy. Everyone wants to be seen and heard. That’s why the best leaders demonstrate empathy. They relate to those they lead and extend help when needed. Great leaders know the importance of understanding their employees’ fundamental needs.
7. Competence. Exceptional leaders can do their own jobs well, and they also make sure to hire highly capable people. They understand the value of hiring employees with different skills and bringing on professionals who are smarter than them.
8. Accountability. When something goes wrong, the best leaders accept personal responsibility. According to Glazer, they have a mentality of “the buck stops here.” If you reflect on some of history’s most respected leaders, you will see individuals who gave credit to their teams for success and stepped up when things did not go as planned.
9. Gratitude. Leaders who are grateful often think less of themselves and reflect on how they can help their employees. Glazer says this ability to focus more on the needs of many is a key attribute of a great leader.
10. Self-awareness. Leaders have a strong grasp on their strengths and weaknesses. They do not think they have it all figured out and they stay open to learning new things. They also welcome constructive criticism and put in the work to get better at their jobs.
Do you see any of these leadership qualities in yourself? Or maybe you notice these qualities in one of your team members? Not everyone has what it takes to lead well. If you want to improve your own skills or build up someone on your team, start by cultivating the traits above.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Robert Glazer is the founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, an award-winning partner marketing agency ranked No. 4 on Glassdoor’s best places to work.
