Traits of Successful Leaders

While all leaders must be able to communicate effectively, manage people, and put out
fires, according to HBR, there are unique traits to successful leadership. In today’s
world, it’s not enough to be smart and skilled, you have to offer yourself to your staff in a
way that communicates care, concern and empathy. Beyond that here are 5 traits that
successful leaders possess:

1- Authenticity: Leaders who are genuine, truthful, and transparent. You
don’t just want to inspire others – you want to cultivate loyalty by what you give
back. Being authentic and trustworthy engenders a culture of psychological
safety, and showing up as your best self does that. Leaders who seek feedback
also demonstrate competency, confidence, and genuineness because they show
they are looking to improve themselves while assisting others.
2- Curiosity: Successful leaders strive for both professional and personal
development. They are interested in other’s viewpoints and encourage
alternative ideas from their own – so they can see their own picture in a different
light. They are not threatened by dissent and seek expansive thinking and
creativity- both within themselves and others.
3- Creativity: Leaders who embrace all ideas help create an environment
where it is safe to put forth new ideas, even if not implemented. It helps to
encourage diversity and creates a setting where it is okay to learn from failure.
Not all new ideas may be implemented, but they are still rewarded for creative
effort. Diverse thought is the true force behind innovation, and successful leaders
know this.
4- Adaptability and Comfort w uncertainty: Successful leaders can pivot
when needed, put out unexpected fires with grace and ease, and are able to
handle changing dynamics in real time. The need to shift to the demands of
customers, investors, board members, and employees in a fast-paced world is a
skill successful leaders possess but is often overlooked. Embracing ambiguity
means having a “forest perspective” instead of getting “stuck in the trees”. Seeing
their organization as a system that functions better when all the cogs in the wheel
are in sync, with the ability to change direction quickly and efficiently.
5- Resilience: When you accept an assignment that challenges you, you’re
growing. Sometimes you take risks and the outcome isn’t what you expected. Or
your plans for your goals are pushed back or moved ahead due to unforeseen
factors. Leaders who navigate unexpected challenges demonstrate that they are
resilient when the “going gets tough” , learn from the situation, and move forward
with grace.

Until next time,
Amy
“All real, all the time”.
This article was adapted from Rebecca Knight’s article “8 Essential Qualities of
Successful Leaders” HBR.org 12/13/23.