Before we talk about why leadership skills are important in life, you need to know what makes a good leader. Here are 5 characteristics of a good leader. These are just some of the top characteristics that contribute to effective leadership. Let’s start with the 3C’s.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
~ Bernard Baruch
- Strong communication skills. Being an effective communicator is necessary to be a good leader so that you can convey to your team or others what your vision is. With a clear perspective they can carry out their roles in achieving the results. Being able to clearly describe what needs to be done helps your team move forward. This is closely tied in with having an open-door policy where you are accessible to discuss openly what is happening between you and others, your team members or anything going on in your business.
Self-confidence is the fundamental basis from which leadership grows. Trying to teach leadership without first building confidence is like building a house on a foundation of sand. It may have a nice coat of paint, but it is ultimately shaky at best.”
~ Francisco Dao, leadership strategist for INC.com
- Self Confidence. Being self-confident is the foundation to taking action and achieving results in your life and business, and is especially important in practicing effective leadership skills. Leaders invariably have followers and those they influence directly or indirectly. If you doubt your own skills and competence, no one will follow you. People look for leaders who believe in themselves and their abilities.
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; noting on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
~ W. W. Ziege
- A Positive Attitude. A positive attitude can be contagious. When you lead with a happy and positive attitude, people tend to work harder and are happier themselves. People don’t want to follow someone who is negative and only sees the problems. Leadership means motivating and inspiring your followers in a positive way.
Trust yourself--you know more than you think you do.
~ Benjamin Spock
- Good Decision-Making skills. Leaders will be faced with many decisions. Some will be small while others will have an impact on many others. Leaders trust in their decisions and stand by them.
Your actions define your character, your words define your wisdom, but your
treatment of others defines REAL you.~ Mayur Ramgir
- Strong Morals. People with strong morals have good leadership abilities. They are accountable for their actions, have humility and honest integrity. Moral leaders are more likeable and will have more followers because of it. They don’t make excuses, lie or brag about what they have accomplished. Moral leaders share the spotlight of their successes with those who helped them. They are honest and follow through on what they say they will do. They have courage and face their fears. To be a leader with strong morals, it’s important to tap into your values and mores. If you find yourself faltering in this arena, embrace an empowering affirmation as a quick reminder, then put it into practice:
I gain power when I share power with others.
Thank you for reading.
