The Best Leaders Have Mastered These Traits

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on June 30, 2017

There are many effective ways to lead. Compare great leaders from various areas of expertise, however, and you’ll see a pattern emerge: No matter how disparate their leadership styles, the best leaders have all mastered a certain set of traits.

To improve your own leadership, focus on developing your abilities in these areas:

Authenticity

Great leaders aren’t afraid to be who they are. They show their teams the enthusiasm and excitement they feel and tell the truth when they’re frustrated, worried, or scared.

To improve authenticity, improve communication. Be willing to tell your team not only what you’re thinking, but why. “I’m worried because we’re about to sign a multimillion-dollar contract, and I need to know we can meet our deadlines.” By being authentic, you create a culture in which your team can trust you, relate to you and feel safe in suggesting solutions.

Philosophy and Purpose

What is your goal? What matters to you, and why? What sort of person do you want to become? Great leaders can answer these questions, and they structure their own work around the answers.

When you can clearly state your personal philosophy, you gain insight into your own thinking and reasoning. You can set goals that align with your strengths and desires, and you can more clearly describe how you define success. Identifying your purpose—the “why” behind the “what”—helps you decide where to spend your energy each day. Understanding your purpose answers the question, “What one thing can I do to get us closest to our goal with the least amount of effort?”

Routine and Habit

Great leaders make success a habit by building a set of routines that contribute to their success. While some people assume that avoiding habit makes you ready to seize opportunities, great leaders know the opposite is true. They understand their habits are the foundation that prepares them to identify an opportunity when they see it—and to seize it.

To improve your success habits, identify the most important area of your life. Start every week by setting a small goal in that area. At the end of the week, check your progress. Did you meet your goal? If not, what got in your way? How do you avoid similar obstacles in the future?

Passion

Every great leader has passion. Passion provides energy, which generates interest and the ability to spot and seize opportunities.

To improve your own leadership, begin by asking, “Why did I want to be a leader in the first place? What is it I love about this work?” Write your answer on a Post-It note and stick it above your desk. When you start to feel bored or overwhelmed, remind yourself what brought you here in the first place. Tap into your passion, and use it to move you forward.

Improving your leadership skills will not only impact your ability to lead your team, it will also help you meet and exceed company goals. A crucial part of meeting organizational goals is the team within the organization. Talk to your recruiter about your company’s goals and keep them abreast to relevant information. Sharing this information allows your recruiter to keep “the big picture” in mind as they help you find top talent.

If you are looking to expand your team, connect with the recruiting experts at TERRA Staffing. Our market and industry expertise can help you find your next superstar. Find one our branches today!

Categories: Employee Engagement Ideas, HR and Management Advice

Tags: Best Recruiter in Seattle, Best Staffing Firm in Recruiter, How to Master a New Leadership Style, Leadership Skills, Leadership Traits, Seattle Recruiting, Seattle Recruiting Solutions

Related Posts