Every business or structured entity needs great leaders to be successful. Leaders are the ones who provide a vision for the future and inspire others to achieve it. They also make sure that everyone is working towards the same goal and that everyone is held accountable.
According to a study by LeadershipIQ, nearly 90% of employees say that their company’s success is due, in part, to their leader’s ability to inspire them. And another study found that companies with solid leadership achieved an average annual growth rate of 10.8%, while those without strong leadership achieved an average annual growth rate of just 2.9%.
Great leaders are essential for any business or organization to succeed. And the best leaders are those who can inspire others to achieve great things. However, being a leader requires mastery of a few traits and skills. Here are a few of them.
Integrity
Leaders need integrity because it is one of the essential traits of a leader. It shows that they are honest and have high moral values. This quality is critical because people will trust and follow them if they know they are trustworthy. Leaders with integrity are also more likely to make good decisions since they will not be motivated by personal gain or self-interest.
Leaders can work on their integrity by being honest and doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. They should also set an excellent example for others and live by their preached values. Finally, leaders should be willing to admit mistakes and learn from them when they make mistakes.
Take Ngien Hoon Ping from Singapore, for example. The SMRT CEO is known for his integrity, and he was even ranked as one of the most trustworthy CEOs in Singapore by an annual poll conducted by Reader’s Digest. SMRT benefited from a leader with integrity, as the company improved its operations and regained public trust after a series of train disruptions in 2017.
Compassion
Leaders also need compassion because it allows them to connect with others more deeply. It will enable leaders to understand what others are going through and empathize with them. This quality is essential for leaders because it allows them to build trust and rapport with those they lead.
Leaders can work on compassion by being more understanding and patient with others. They should also try to see things from other people’s perspectives and be more forgiving. Finally, leaders should be more aware of their emotions and how they might affect others.
One leader who demonstrates compassion is Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft. Gates is known for his philanthropy and has donated billions of dollars to various causes through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates’ compassion has helped him make a difference in the world by improving the lives of millions of people.
Decisiveness
Leaders must be decisive because they must make many decisions affecting their followers. Leaders need to be able to make tough decisions quickly and efficiently. This quality is essential because it shows that leaders are confident and capable of making the best decisions for their team or organization.
Leaders can improve decisiveness by being more assertive and confident when making decisions. They should also consult with others before making decisions and only make decisions when they have all the necessary information. Finally, leaders should practice making decisions by role-playing or taking on challenging projects.
One leader known for his decisiveness is Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba. Ma is known for making quick decisions and being decisive in his actions. This trait has helped Alibaba become one of the most successful companies in the world.
Courage
Leaders also need courage because they must be able to stand up for what they believe in and take risks. Leaders need to be brave enough to face challenges and make tough decisions. This quality is essential because it allows leaders to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Leaders can work on their courage by setting an example for others and leading by example. They should also be willing to take risks and face challenges head-on. Finally, leaders should practice being courageous by doing things outside their comfort zone.
One leader who demonstrates courage is Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. Sandberg is known for her courage in the face of adversity and her willingness to take risks. Sandberg helped Facebook navigate through several challenges, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Leaders must be willing to rise to the challenge, even if it feels insurmountable.
Final Thoughts
Great leaders are built through a combination of many different qualities. The essential traits for leaders are integrity, compassion, decisiveness, and courage. Leaders can work on these qualities by setting an example for others, taking risks, and facing challenges head-on.
