But what makes one an
excellent leader? To many, leadership comes naturally and stems from an innate
ability to take control of a situation and seek the best possible outcome for
all parties involved. For others, it’s a special talent nurtured and grown
every day.
To learn more about
what kinds of skills or abilities are worth pursuing or nurturing, we asked
members of the Young Entrepreneur Council to share some of the most unique and
surprising traits that they think excellent leaders possess—and how they help.
Here’s what they said:
1.
Relatability: I have always found the best
leaders to be those who know how to relate to everyone. It sounds obvious, but
not everyone has this trait. Being able to be in a room and connect with
everyone on some level is not the easiest to come by. And it’s important
because if people feel like they can relate with their leader, they will stick
with them through thick and thin.
2.
Maturity: While being genuine, ethical and
charismatic are all great skills for a leader, the one trait often overlooked
is maturity. Making informed and enlightened decisions, giving advice that
helps empower others, and refusing to let emotions rule are all signs of a
mature leader. Maturity is a way of building
trust. It comes not with age, but with mindfulness and accepting
mistakes as learning tools.
3.
Resilience: The ability to bounce back from
tough situations is ideal for a leader because it provides the confidence and
security that the team may need to keep going. Being resilient also means
coming up with other solutions, which can encourage the team to do the same.
4.
Accountability: A great leader knows how and when
to take blame and
accountability for their team. Ideally, team members are accountable for what
they are doing individually, but when a leader steps up and shares in that
accountability when things maybe didn’t go so well, it helps the team improve
for next time.
5.
Thirst for Knowledge: A thirst for knowledge is
important if you’re a new employee, but it’s also important for leaders to
learn, too. As a manager or owner, it’s vital that you continue learning about
your industry and personal interests. The desire to learn can
give you an advantage when growing your company and managing your staff.
6. Adaptability: Being
able to handle change well makes any leader more efficient.
This means that they can handle massive changes in the team, direction and
business model very well. I don’t really care if someone can handle something
they have already tackled before and have experience in; I care if they can
handle something that they have never experienced before.
7.
Insecurity: While it’s important for a leader
to make decisions and stand by them, it’s also important for a leader to
second- or even third-guess their decisions. A level of insecurity allows a
leader to give each decision the rigorous vetting it needs, and it encourages
them to consult other team members before pulling the trigger. Although paradoxical,
insecurity is an essential leadership trait.
8.
Humility: Being humble through
your success is vital to staying down to earth and being pleasurable company.
Letting it get to your head is unattractive in a leader, whose attitude will
rub off on his or her team. When you recognize that everyone on your team is
just as valuable to the company’s success as you are, you’ll reap the benefits
and encourage productivity.
9.
Simplicity: Simplicity helps you connect with
your team at all levels. If you are overly complicated, sophisticated or fancy,
it might not work well with the team. I like to be simple yet highly
visionary and approachable. It really works for my small team,
as they can understand me easily and stay connected.
10. Helpfulness: Ask your team where you
can help. If you have hired great people, ask them where you can provide
resources, perspective and help to ensure they are successful. Some leaders do
not want to “get their hands dirty” or do the hard work, which can create
resentment. When you are willing to roll up your sleeves, you set an example of
collaboration and initiative that fosters both trust and engagement.
11. Sense of Humor: Having
a sense of humor gets you through difficult situations and
stressful times. It helps build rapport and trust with your team, who see you
more for who you are versus just being an imposing “boss.” From presentations
to staff meetings, I use humor to put everyone at ease and create common
ground.
12.
Introversion: Contrary to a common
misconception, introverts make very good leaders. They are reasonable and
persistent, and their ability to carefully analyze every situation can
sometimes bring incredible results. Also, introverts would rather listen than
talk, which means that they take into consideration various points of view and
then put more time into critical
thinking.
13.
Positivity: Many say they would prefer to be
realistic, but practicing
positivity is good for business. If you’re a negative leader,
it’ll spread throughout your company like wildfire. People will think that this
kind of attitude is what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, but this is
wrong. Good leaders radiate positivity and encourage their team through
bringing them up instead of tearing them down.
14.
Enthusiasm: Have you ever had a boss that was
enthusiastic about the work they did, regardless of what it was? Enthusiastic
leaders are great because they encourage a positive attitude, and that kind of
behavior is contagious. Good energy is contagious and puts everyone in a good
mood so they’re prepared to work efficiently and encourage others to do the
same.
Edited Malong Baak
longbany2015@gmail.com
+211922635522/+211911243360
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