10 Must-Have Characteristics of Successful Leaders

Rebecca Hayden
Jul 20, 2017 · 5 min read

Do leaders have different bodily attributes or have exceptionally high educational qualification? Do they do different things? Are they good looking? The only pragmatic answer to these questions is ‘No’. They are as common as I and You. But, their thinking to solve a problem is completely uncommon and their approach to accomplish a goal is extraordinary.

“Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position” - Brian Tracy

There may be few people around us who have different traits, yet they are successful. To avoid this confusion, if a macro study will be performed, you will definitely find many characteristics are common in them, which are very hard to be judged.

Team Following Leader

I have here prepared a list of common features that common men lack but successful leaders possess -

1. Encouraging Attitude

The atmosphere of the workplace is felt pretty when it has leaders having positive vibrations. Emotions affect the outlook of the members of a team, but a positive attitude on the face of a member brings encouragement to others. A delight and positive person can comfortably extract the best from his/her team members without putting any pressure on them. He/she knows the way to handle the workforce.

2. Sincerity

Honesty is the best policy.’ The age-old saying is still in force. Whenever you are stuck in a mess and there is no way to escape, then you can get rid of the problem through just applying the policy of honest.

You being a member in the team with high conscience can make others to follow your suit. Their behavior will be a reflection of yours. You can influence them not only in workplace but also in personal life.

3. Confidence

Confidence is an utmost trait of a true leader. He/she has lots of confidence on the potential of his/her team mates. It directly affects the productivity and morale of the members.

If you are a leader, you must be capable of handling any situation and your employees get inspiration from you. The leader has not a single way for any kind of obstruction; he/she can devise multiple solutions for this.

4. Openness

The word ‘leader’ does not suit a person if he/she has no guts. Gut is not the power of abusing anybody for a mistake, instead it is the audacity of confessing your own mistake how deep it may be.

You have to confirm your team members that the route I asked you to pursue was not right and for which we failed. Ask them to put their suggestion openly.

After accomplishing any goal, never forget to give a ‘thanks’ message to the whole team. It boosts the efficiency of the team.

5. Behavior

The behavior of a leader is not as a boss. According to a popular saying- “A boss is feared, but a leader is admired.” So, don’t act like a boss. No one can give their best in pressure. It affects the adeptness of employees negatively.

You should be so polite to your colleagues that they are impressed with you deeply. Your mere presence gives them a comfort even in the worst condition.

6. Inspiration

A person having no moral cannot sustain long. Every successful leader must have a role model. None is born with leadership quality. It is nourished. As per the condition and idealism, over time the sprout will turn into a big tree.

Inspiration is such a thing that it can bloom encouragement even in underprivileged, thereby prompting them to prove themselves by adopting any mean.

7. Patience

Patience cannot be interpreted as weakness; it is the real strength of a true leader. In any situation, a leader does not lose its patience. He/she knows the value of patience as it is the key to success. Any development or innovation is the outcome of patience and perseverance.

If you are clear enough about your vision, set aside the obstacles and continue your effort till it is reached.

8. Creativity

A leader sometime takes few bold decisions as per the demand of the situation. For this, he/she may draw many criticisms.

The leader can transform the weakness of an employee into a strong area. He/she finds out the inner hidden potential of his/her colleagues and gives chance to them to develop the ability.

9. Fearlessness

The leader is not scared of taking risks in the fear of failure. He/she shows valor to the employees. He simply tells the fellows move forward and if you fail, we will choose then another way. It motivates them.

10. Communication

Through the skill of communication, the world knows you. And a leader motivates other through the way of communication.

If your communication touches the heart and mind, then people follow you. It is the ability through which you put your idea to fore and make them convince what you are insisting is the need of the hour.

Leadership

There may be lots of leaders, but a few of them successful. It happens when the leader utilizes his/her own strength as well as the team’s in full capacity. Such leaders inspire many and they develop leadership quality in their followers. Their act of leadership remains immortal for centuries.

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Rebecca Hayden

Written by

An avid reader, a social worker, a lovely wife and a caring mother of two baby girls! Resides in the Orlando Area with my adorable American Eskimo.

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