If you were to describe your leadership style, what would you say?

What is the most important attribute a leader must have?

I am perpetually curious. What traits make great leaders?

My work with leaders over the years has led me to conclude that great leaders are not born. They grow into greatness. It may come easier to some, but the very qualities that define great leadership can and are learned.

As an adolescent, a teenager, and later, a young adult, I experienced all sorts of leaders. Throughout my career, taking on more and more leadership roles in various capacities, I continued to experience other leaders and formed my own style over time.

Did I get it right all the time? No way. I learned from experience and trial and error. One underlying principle I embraced early on was to fight against trying to be something or someone I was not - trying to please everyone. It's just not possible.

I have a core set of values I have tried to practice daily. Here are a few of them:

✅ Be honest and face the music early.
✅ There is a solution to every problem.
✅ Trust others and be trustworthy. (The trusting part at times has bit me in the rear end.)
✅ Be self-aware (tough for me in my youth).
✅ Listen without judgment. (I'm always reminding myself.)
✅ Have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.
✅ Be open and vulnerable. Let others see you.
✅ It's not about me. It's about them.
✅ Never give up.
✅ Trust yourself and your instincts.

Three C's to consider

Certainly, competence comes into play. I worked under an incompetent manager before, and it was immensely frustrating. My solution: I left the company.

If you have managers who are not well-equipped to be leaders, you have a problem because, just as I did early in my career, your good employees will leave your firm no matter how many nice things you do for them. Your managers are the ones working the closest to your teams.

Character is another important trait. Do you hire for experience and pedigree or character?

How good are you at communicating? The best leaders I know communicated frequently and honestly during the pandemic and other crises.

Mindset

Overarching each of these traits is your mindset. Are you open-minded? Do you have a growth mindset? Are you creative? Do you embrace or accept chaos and uncertainty?

You don't have to be one or any of these, but your role as a leader will be more enjoyable if you can find a few that fit your style.

Purpose

I firmly believe that tapping into your company's core belief and purpose can improve your chances of having a sustainable, thriving business for years to come.

What is your purpose for yourself and your organization? Why do you come to work every day and do what you do?

Your sense of purpose is most likely aligned with your firm. Otherwise, you would not be very happy in your role. The same is true for your employees. At some level, we all want to contribute to something greater than ourselves.

Final Thoughts

I'm sure you have a few core values that you rely on in your leadership role. I've shared a few of mine with you today that I hope will help you tap into your innate leadership style.

My work with leaders has led me to create an easy-to-use self-assessment that I frequently share with my clients and others. I want to share that with you today.

You can get my free Leaders Assessment here.

Until next time!