Qualities That Make Great Leaders

 By Kendra Cherry

Updated July 10, 2017 

How would you describe a strong leader? In one study, leadership qualities such as assertiveness, adaptability, intelligence, and conscientiousness were cited as the most important.

"Research clearly shows that transformational leaders—leaders who are positive, inspiring, and who empower and develop followers—are better leaders," explains psychologist and leadership expert Ronald E. Riggio. "They are more valued by followers and have higher performing teams."

So what can you do embrace these valued leadership qualities and become a stronger and more effective leader? Transformational leaders are usually described as enthusiastic, passionate, genuine and energetic. These leaders are not just concerned about helping the group achieve its goals; they also care about helping each member of the group reach his or her full potential. 

Consider some of the following tips for how to become a better leader and think about ways that you can implement these strategies in your daily life.

1

Start By Understanding Your Leadership Style 

Portra Images/Digital Vision/Getty Images Understanding your current leadership style is essential. What are your strengths? Which areas need some improvement? One way to start assessing your skills is to take this leadership style quiz to get a general idea of how you lead.Once you have completed the quiz, read about the major characteristics of your dominant style. Are these qualities helping or hindering your leadership? Once you've determined which areas need some work, you can begin looking for ways to improve your leadership abilities.2Encourage Creativity

Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Intellectual stimulation is one of the leadership qualities that defines transformational leadership. Followers need to be encouraged to express their creativity. Effective leaders should offer new challenges with ample support to achieve these goals.One way to foster creativity is to offer challenges to group members, making sure that the goals are within the grasp of their abilities. The purpose of this type of exercise is to get people to stretch their limits but to not become discouraged by barriers to success.3Serve as a Role Model

Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Idealized influence is another of the four key components of transformational leadership. Transformational leaders exemplify the behaviors and characteristics that they encourage in their followers. They walk the walk and talk the talk. As a result, group members admire these leaders and work to emulate these behaviors.If you want to become a better leader, work on modeling the qualities that you would like to see in your team members.4Be Passionate

Thomas Barwick/Stone/Getty Images Would you look to someone for guidance and leadership if they did not truly care about the goals of the group? Of course not! Great leaders are not just focused on getting group members to finish tasks; they have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for the projects they work on.You can develop this leadership quality by thinking of different ways that you can express your zeal. Let people know that you care about their progress. When one person shares something with the rest of the group, be sure to tell them how much you appreciate such contributions.5Listen and Communicate Effectively

Thomas Barwick/Stone/Getty Images Another important quality of transformational leadership involves a focus on providing one-on-one communication with group members. Good leaders should express sincere care and concern for the members of their group both verbally and nonverbally.By keeping the lines of communication open, these leaders can ensure that group members feel able to make contributions and receive recognition for their achievements.6Have a Positive Attitude

Tom Merton/Getty Images Transformational leaders have an upbeat, optimistic attitude that serves as a source of inspiration for followers. If leaders seem discouraged or apathetic, members of the group are likely to also become uninspired.Even when things look bleak and your followers start to feel disheartened, try to stay positive. This does not mean viewing things through rose-colored glasses. It simply means maintaining a sense of optimism and hope in the face of challenges.7Encourage People to Make Contributions

Portra Images/DigitalVision/Getty Images Let the members of your team know that you welcome their ideas. Leaders who encourage involvement from group members are often referred to as democratic or participative leaders. While they retain the final say over all decisions, they encourage team members to take an active role in coming up with ideas and plans.Research has shown that using a democratic leadership style leads to greater commitment, more creative problem-solving and improved productivity.8Motivate Your Followers

Hero Images/Getty Images Transformational leaders also provide inspirational motivation to encourage their followers to get into action. Of course, being inspirational isn't always easy. Fortunately, you don't need motivational speeches to rouse your group members.Some ideas for leadership​ inspiration include being genuinely passionate about ideas or goals, helping followers feel included in the process and offering recognition, praise, and rewards for people's accomplishments.9Offer Rewards and Recognition

Cultura/Lilly Bloom/Cultura Exclusive/Getty Images Another important quality of a good leader involves knowing that offering effective recognition and rewards is one of the best ways to help followers feel appreciated and happy. It may also come as no surprise that happy people tend to perform better at work. According to researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, leaders can help group members feel happier by offering help, removing barriers to success and rewarding strong efforts.10Keep Trying New Things

Hero Images/Getty Images ​Who says leadership is a one-way relationship? As you work toward developing some of these leadership qualities, don't forget to look to your followers for feedback and inspiration. Pay attention to the things that have been effective in the past and always be on the lookout for new ways to inspire, motivate and reward group members.Sources:Amabile, T. & Kramer, S. (2011). Do Happier People Work Harder? The New York Times.Riggio, R.E. (2009, March 24). Are You a Transformational Leader? Psychology Today.Riggio, R. E. (2009, Oct. 29). Four Things You Can Do to Become a Better Leader. Psychology Today.Continue Reading

 By Alison Doyle

 Updated April 19, 2018 

When companies hire for leadership roles they look for people with qualities that will allow them to successfully interact with colleagues, clients, and others in the workplace and beyond. People in leadership roles are required to put people first. Employers also look for candidates who have a high degree of emotional intelligence, patience, and a working knowledge of human resources, in order to keep both the employee and the company taken care of.

Here's a list of leadership skills and qualities for resumes, cover letters, job applications, and interviews. Skills will vary based on the job for which you're applying, so also  review our lists of skills listed by job and type of skill.

Communication
Communication is about more than the basics of sharing ideas, or conveying information. For leaders, communication is the most fundamental skill he or she can possess when it comes to leading an individual, or a team. Leaders should be able to effectively communicate with individuals, and with groups. Communicating well is more than the sum of its parts.

It’s one thing to say or write something, and another to have people know exactly what you mean. A good communicator will be able to express themselves clearly, without engendering confusion or murkiness. A good communicator also understands that communication goes both ways: being a good listener is as important (or possibly more important!).

Nonverbal Communication
Being a good communicator means transcending written and verbal communication. An excellent communicator will convey a sense of openness and non-judgment, even when they’re not saying anything. Body language and general countenance can sometimes convey even more than words. Employers will often seek candidates who are intrinsically calm, open, optimistic, and positive.

 These traits usually come through nonverbally.

Coaching
Managing people means supporting subordinates. The means not only enabling them to do their jobs well, but also helping them to move forward in their careers. Sometimes this means helping them improve their skillsets to become better at the nitty gritty of their work. Sometimes it means assisting them in developing their own communication styles. Whatever the work is, adopting a coaching mindset is an integral part of being a good leader. A coach encourages and supports. A coach is part cheerleader, part trainer, and a leader in a business environment should be comfortable in this role.

Directing Others
Giving direction doesn’t come naturally to every leader, but it’s an integral aspect of a leadership job. Leaders should be able to clearly and effectively formulate directions for others, and then articulate them in such a way as to convey them effectively. Subordinates should be clear on what’s expected of them. Direction often involves more than a simple, “do X by X date.” Direction can involve guidance, instruction, mentorship, planning, and keeping a positive attitude even if someone is struggling.

Relationship Building
Along with communicating and coaching, relationship building can make or break a leader.

 A good leader will value relationships, and will actively work to build one-on-one associations as well as fostering healthy relationships among the community. Relationship building could be as simple as remembering certain personal details about people, and inquiring about those things every now and again. Or, it could be more purposeful, and involve out-of-work activities and team-building efforts like retreats and events. Most of all, building relationships is about authenticity, and genuinely connecting with people in a way that creates a familiar feeling, and a sense of community.

There are leadership opportunities across the board in almost every industry imaginable. If you possess some of these traits, along with good judgment, honesty, and a sense of humor, pursuing a career in leadership could be right for you.

 T - Z

Consider strong managers that you've worked with in your field — which of the skills on this list do they have? Take a look at the job advertisements within your field as well to see which leadership skills are mentioned again and again. This type of thinking will help you know the skills you should emphasize in your cover letters, resume, and during interviews. 

Reviewing this list can also give you a sense of gaps in your skills. If you don't possess one of them, ask yourself if you can or should develop it. Be realistic: No one person can have every single skill on the list. And furthermore, not all skills are meaningful in every field. 

You do not need to be manager-level or supervise projects or people to cultivate and demonstrate leadership skills. You can develop these skills on the job, by following these strategies: 

 Watch Now: 8 Qualities That Make an Exceptional Leader

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by Derrick Meador

 Updated January 30, 2018 

Educational leadership includes any individual in the school that has a decision-making role. These typically include the superintendent, assistant superintendent(s), building principals, assistant principals, curriculum directors, etc. These roles typically require an advanced degree. These positions are typically the top paid positions in a school district, but they also come with the most responsibility.

 These people are ultimately responsible for the successes and failures of their district.

Good educational leadership defers credit and accepts blame. They are constantly visible, approachable, and genuinely listen to what other people have to say. If it can be proven to benefit students, they will generally find a way to make it happen if at all possible. Students must always be the focus of educational leaders.  In addition to those qualities, these five specific strategies help effective educational leadership shape school success.

Good educational leaders surround themselves with good people. Surrounding yourself with good, trustworthy teachers and support personnel naturally makes your job easier. Good people typically do a good job which improves the quality of education the students in your school are receiving. Hiring effective teachers and support personnel is one of the most important duties of educational leadership.

 Failing to make quality hires, will create a stressful environment and ultimately has a negative impact on student learning.

The job does not end at a good hire. Effective educational leadership provides continuous support to their faculty and staff.  They give them authentic, meaningful professional development.

 They conduct regular, in-depth evaluations, filled with guiding advice, meant to help them grow and improve.  They are always willing to answer questions and offer advice and suggestions as needed.

Every professional has to have the proper tools to do their jobs effectively. You cannot ask a contractor to build a house without giving them nails and a hammer.  Likewise, you cannot ask a teacher to teach effectively without up-to-date technology, a quality research-based curriculum, and the essential classroom supplies relevant to the subject area.  Effective educational leadership gives their faculty and staff with the tools needed to provide their students with a quality education.

Effective educational leadership recognizes and promotes excellence throughout the building. They celebrate individual and team successes. They have high expectations for every aspect of their school. They lead the charge in expecting excellence in every avenue of the school. They publicly praise great contributions from students, teachers, and support personnel.  They recognize the above and beyond and continuously let those around them know they are appreciated.

Great educational leadership is never stale. They are always searching for ways to improve every aspect of their school including themselves. They never ask those around them to do anything they would not do themselves.  They get their hands dirty when necessary doing the groundwork necessary for continuous growth and improvement.  They are ever passionate, always searching, and indefinitely striving for excellence.