It’s an age-old question that gets debated with most organisations I work with. Most participants want to know what it means to be a leader, so they know what to aim for.
I think the best place to look is at what their own experience of good leadership has been.
For over 10 years now I have been asking participants in my programmes to reflect on the most positively impactful leaders they have worked for. What did these men and women do that made them bubble to the surface of their memory when I posed the question?
Here are some of the responses I hear consistently. Great leaders:
- Trust
- Empower
- Support
- Guide
- Celebrate wins
- Are approachable, open, and authentic
- Set clear guidelines and expectations
- Value you
- Provide constructive feedback
- Allow others to make decisions
- Take an interest in your life outside of work
- Make time for you
- Have a fun, positive energy
- Care
- Challenge
- Believe in you
None of these attributes require superhero strength or skills. They are all fully human qualities of fallible yet willing leaders. And as a bonus, you don’t even have to be good at all of them however practicing a few of these consistently will make you a leader worth following.