If you took a straw poll and asked 100 people, “What makes someone a leader?”, you’d probably get 100 different answers. Yes, we all have our own opinions on what it takes to be a leader. Let’s face it, everyone could tell a story or two about their bosses, and not all are likely to be positive.
In a survey conducted by BambooHR in 2019, a staggering 44 percent of respondents said they had quit a job because of a bad boss. They went on to rate a list of 24 bad boss behaviors. Well, you and I know that it’s much easier to criticize than to praise, especially when the topic is those in management, so I’m going to flip the script and look at what it takes to make someone a leader (and not just a boss).
If you’re about to be promoted into a managerial position, or you’re already earning your stripes as a boss, read on to discover my top five qualities that make a great leader.
- Understand that being a manager doesn’t make you a leader
Don’t think that once you’re promoted to manager that your staff will automatically follow you. They may work for you, but they’ll only support you if they believe in you and buy into your vision. Managing is making sure that day-to-day tasks are done in the most efficient way possible. Leadership is motivating people to pursue a common goal using a combination of your personality and leadership skills. Remember, leaders don’t have to occupy a formal role to influence others, and not all managers can lead.
- Act like a student, not an expert
It doesn’t matter how much you already know, if you want to succeed as a leader, experts agree you need to strive to learn as much as you can. Best-selling author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek says, “Great leaders are those who consider themselves students regardless of their status. They have an insatiable curiosity to continually improve their leadership skills.” In short, never stop learning, even from those who report to you or have less experience.
- See mistakes as a gift to reinvent yourself
Leadership guru John C. Maxwell once said, “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” So, when you fail (and you will) take a step back and try to understand why. Did you have unrealistic expectations from the start? Did you communicate effectively with your team? We all make mistakes, but great leaders are willing to admit theirs, learn from them, and then move on.
- Seek always to understand yourself
Chinwe Esimai, Managing Director and Chief Anti-Bribery Officer at Citigroup, is passionate about inspiring immigrant women leaders. She believes firmly that self-awareness is an essential skill that all leaders should develop. Sadly, it seems to be in short supply at executive level. Self-awareness, she says, which can be achieved by examining your behaviors, values, and priorities, can help you make better choices: To change or grow.
- Show others that you care
In the fall of 2017, hurricane Harvey devastated Houston, Texas. It was a time of despair, yet United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz chose to be on the ground with his employees who had lost everything. He understood that a personal visit would mean much more than words of encouragement. The visit stirred his heart. In the days that followed, Munoz directed the airline to deliver aid and relief to victims. He even promised to personally match every dollar donated by his fellow employees to the United We Care emergency relief fund.
It’s a dramatic example, and hopefully not many of us will have to deal with a disaster on such a scale. But it serves to illustrate how people look to their leaders for care and compassion in the workplace, and not just promotion and a salary. According to Daniel Goleman, author of the bestseller “Emotional Intelligence”, caring leaders produce better team results because the cultures they create increase engagement and productivity and reduce turnover and health problems. So, ask yourself, does your team know you care?
There you have it. The top five qualities that I think all great leaders possess. Do you have others to add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
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AUTHOR BOX
Nancy Maki, LMHC, SPHR is the President and Managing Partner of Open Gate Consulting in Seattle, WA. Nancy is a leadership development consultant focused on building influential leaders. She has spent over 20 years walking with leaders as they navigate some of their most complicated issues. Contact Nancy at 206/512-7109 or nmaki@opengateresources.com