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What characteristics do good leaders share?

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Managers, bosses, team leads, and chairpeople are all supposed to lead a group. But just having a position of authority doesn’t automatically make a leader. A boss gives instructions and assignments and metes out discipline and rewards as warranted. A leader, on the other hand, uses personal characteristics and skills to help inspire people to great action. People want to follow leaders; they have to follow bosses (at least, if they want to keep their jobs!).

A good leader is able to enable and empower others to do their jobs well, and they inspire confidence from their followers. Great leaders also:

Are accountable.

Are trustworthy.

Help establish vision, values, and beliefs that all believe in.

Set goals and create an empowering environment.

Offer recognition for jobs well-done.

Help people see what’s in it for them.

Offer strong communication at every step of the path.

Care about people’s personal goals, and try to blend them with the company’s overall goal.

Offer training and assistance to help people meet goals.

Allow others to take on leadership roles without feeling threatened.

Are responsible for their actions, and for those of their followers.

Are knowledgeable in the subject at hand, but not necessarily an expert.

Are driven by discipline and habit.

These characteristics give you an idea of what an effective leader might look like, but the experts find that there’s no one set of “must have” traits for leaders. Only that they can get people to follow them!

Next Page: How do I become a more effective leader?

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