5 Traits of a Great Leader

And key qualities to look for.

Leadership—or being a leader—is arguably one of the most complex topics. There are many perspectives to consider, and today it's even more challenging to identify what makes a 'great leader' and what to look for when you're searching for one for your business.

In our daily routines, we are constantly exposed to quotes, citations, and videos from those we consider great leaders (Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, Jensen Huang—you get the point). They share insights on how to elevate people and be a great leader. This is invaluable, but at the end of the day, we don't have their power, popularity, or the universal desire to work for us.

There is a noticeable shortage of good leaders today, or perhaps it's hard for companies to recognize potential leaders from within.

With this content, I aim to provide a simple perspective (mine) on what to look for when trying to find a good leader for your business.

While I might never have held a C-Suite title, I have spent a lot of time among C-level executives, owners, and entrepreneurs. I have also promoted leaders within my team or as a decision-maker for others.

Let”s dive in.

Why does every business need a great leader?

Let's start with the most obvious and trivial question, "Why do we need someone who can lead and carry forward?"

There are 3 main areas I will focus on and believe to be pivotal for every leader in the making and why it's important to solve these challenges as a business.

Larger Goals Enabler

Effective leadership is not just someone sitting higher, earning a crazy amount of money, and pointing fingers at how things should move (even though that's the majority leader profile these days, in my opinion).

Connecting effective leadership to broader organisational success is crucial. Leaders who excel are instrumental in achieving critical business objectives, enhancing the culture within the organization, and retaining valuable employees.

Such leaders understand that their influence can drive the company's growth and adaptability, making their role central to both short-term achievements and long-term viability.

Peoples Impact

The influence of great leadership extends beyond the leader! Effective leaders inspire their teams, encourage innovation, and build environments where employees feel valued and understood.

This not only elevates workplace satisfaction but also motivates the team to achieve more, reflecting positively on the organization's success metrics.

Personal Impact

Improving leadership skills often results in substantial personal development.

As leaders grow more adept in their roles, they typically experience increased self-confidence and develop stronger interpersonal relationships. This personal enhancement feeds back into their professional effectiveness, creating a cycle of continuous improvement.

I'm sure more points can be added, but from my point of view, these are the core elements that move the needle in every business.

What are the pitfalls in today's leadership?

I personally believe that a lot of leader titles are given, not earned ( we asses it by their seniority right ). The reasons can be many, but for example, being X years in a company doesn't automatically make you a leader. I can go on and on with reasons, but I want to focus on what are the core reasons that we have fewer true leaders today.

Wrong Misplaced Priorities in Leadership Training

• We all love certificates and training programs to upskill ourselves. Some people love it so much that they consider more certificates and programs make them better leaders automatically. Many leadership programs continue to promote traditional traits such as decisiveness and assertiveness as the cornerstone of effective leadership.

Failure to Adapt to Modern Workplaces

• You cannot bring your leader skills from company to company, without understanding the company dynamics, teams, and the overall workplace. Our world is moving so fast, and leaders fail to adapt. Traditional leadership traits often miss the mark in the fast-moving business world. Focusing too much on being dominant can kill creativity and teamwork, which are key in today's diverse workplaces.

Ego Drive Profiles

• This one hits hard almost in every company I've been in. Many leaders are driven by money or their past experiences. This levels up the ego big time and can be very detrimental to every team/organization.

Neglecting Flexible Leadership Styles

• Today's leadership challenges are complex and demand a mix of traits that suit each unique situation. Leaders need to be flexible and adjust their styles to fit their teams and the specific challenges they encounter, instead of just following a strict set of rules.

How to spot a great leader?

In the last part of the content, I want to focus on the positive side and help you discover a potential great leader within your company or if you are seeking an external one. Of course, these pointers represent only my observation & engagement, and I'm sure there can be more to add.

Possession of Empathy & Emotional Intelligence

This is a must-have skill set, especially in today's world, where we can get lost pretty fast in our day-to-day struggles and challenges.

Caring about others and being able to direct emotions in the “right direction” is a winning ingredient for being a good leader. This trait allows them to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build strong relationships within their teams.

An example here can be when a great leader notices when a team member is feeling overwhelmed and offers support or adjusts their workload accordingly. This leader can sense the mood within the team and communicates in ways that are sensitive to individual and group dynamics.

Inclusive Decision-Making Abilities

Taking decisions solo every time on behalf of different stakeholders or your team is a red flag for this person's leadership abilities. Great leaders actively involve their teams in the decision-making process. Look for leaders who make it a practice to solicit input from team members, ensuring that all voices are heard.

An example here can be when a leader facing a critical decision may hold a brainstorming session with the team to gather diverse perspectives. By incorporating these insights into the final decision, the leader not only improves the solution but also helps the team feel valued and invested in the outcome.

Exceptional Vision & Clarity

Simplification abilities combined with a clear vision for the future is another awesome quality you need to look for. You cannot lead a team or even a company without knowing where you are going and being able to articulate it in a simple way to the rest of the company. Good leaders provide direction and inspire others to follow them towards achieving long-term goals.

An example here can be when a leader who outlines a clear plan for a new project that aligns with the broader company goals. They articulate the steps needed and how each team member's role contributes to these objectives, ensuring everyone understands and is motivated by the direction.

Relentless Learner

Even the greatest need to upskill themselves all the time. If you notice someone who is never satisfied with the status quo and actively seeks new knowledge and skills, you might be seeing a leader in the making. These leaders actively seek new knowledge and skills and are not afraid to learn from their team and experiences.

For example, watch for a leader who regularly enrolls in training courses, attends industry seminars, or promotes learning opportunities within the team. They often share insights and lessons learned with their team, demonstrating that growth and adaptability are valued.

Extremely Adaptable & Resilient

The best leaders demonstrate flexibility in the face of change and resilience under pressure. They are not rigid in their methods but are willing to adapt their strategies based on changing circumstances and feedback.

For example, when a project faces unexpected challenges, such as budget cuts or shifting market demands, a resilient leader quickly reassesses the situation. They adapt the strategy and communicate changes effectively to keep the project on track without losing team morale.

For closing thoughts, I would like to say that these points can serve as a framework (or guidance) for identifying effective leadership qualities in individuals, whether you're assessing potential hires, considering promotions, or looking to improve your own leadership skills.