Everyone of us is a leader of something, whether it is a business, your family, or just yourself. And the plain fact is that none of us are born with great leadership skills. Some giftings can better prepare you for the role of a leader, but the qualities of a great leader are skills that can be learned and developed. The quality of your life, family or business depends on your effectiveness as a leader. Here are 5 Qualities of a Great Leader to help you raise the level of your leadership.
1. Communication
Clear communication is a foundational quality and a game changer for a leader. People around you need to understand what is expected, where they are going, and what the results will be at the end of the road/journey/process. Problems are more easily solved with effective communication, bearing in mind that communication is not only expressing yourself, but actively listening to others express themselves.
Positive communication is important for family dynamics, staff morale, and for your own mental health. Speaking words of life into those around you (including yourself) can change the atmosphere and set the tone for productive interactions between you as the leader and those you are leading. Concentrate on being clear, concise, and caring. Then concentrate on NOT being complicated, verbose, or sharp. Your ability to communicate well is directly linked to the success of those you lead.
Practical Steps: Ask some trusted people to evaluate your communication skills and how you can improve. Practice important presentations with your spouse or business partner, and ask for constructive feedback. In listening situations, repeat back what you heard to verify you are correctly hearing what is being said. A nonnegotiable quality of a great leader is the ability to communicate well and to make adjustments when needed.
2. Delegation
An old African proverb says, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Leadership is not a one-person show. You were not intended to lead alone. Your health—mental, spiritual and emotional—will benefit from utilizing a diverse team to its fullest potential. Leading a team (or your family) means there are other people around you who are working with you toward the same goal. Delegating is not only efficient, but necessary. You cannot do everything by yourself.
Moses learned this vital quality of a great leader from his father-in-law.
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out both yourself and this people with you, for the thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it all by yourself. (Exodus 18:17 NKJV)
Delegation is not a means for a leader to shirk his or her responsibility onto others. By delegating, a leader expands the capacity of the entire team and eventually of the business. An added advantage to delegation is allowing others to step up and take responsibility. By identifying the strengths of your team and family, you will be able to delegate tasks that will give them confidence and build overall trust.
Practical Steps: Take a task that you prefer doing yourself—because you like it done your way—and give it to a team member. Evaluate how you feel about the results before you give your team member any feedback. Remove your personal preferences from the equation to give an unbiased appraisal and ask other team members to weigh in on the results. This quality of a great leader will help in discovering new, more efficient methods and systems for the betterment of your business.
3. Connection
Another quality of a great leader begins with knowing your team members. You need to be aware of dreams, hopes, fears and even feelings of inadequacy. The world’s greatest leaders enjoy the devoted support of those around them. Why? They take the time to connect and relate with those they are leading. Leaders who live with, eat with, and share the hopes, dreams, dangers, experiences, and discomforts of those around them have a major bond that is not easily broken.
Connection with your team through building rapport is how healthy relationships work. There is a reciprocal bond which can be felt by both the leader and the team where trust and mutual respect can flourish. The team cannot function efficiently without the leader and the leader needs the team to make things happen. Learning to value your team the way you want to be valued is a quality you can cultivate.
Practical Steps: Choose a team member who exhibits a desire to grow and improve. Spend some time finding out about their goals, both personal and professional and pray with them. Pay attention to the dynamic between the two of you and how it affects the productivity of your team. The connection quality of a great leader will be evidenced by a marked improvement in team morale and overall output.
4. Confidence
Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” Courage to continue is confidence for the road ahead. A leader with confidence in the process/product/result who can impart confidence to those around is more valuable than words can express. A leader’s confidence builds unity, enabling the team to overcome any struggle when working together.
A leader who is confident in his/her place can build up others without feeling inferior or less than adequate for the job. Confidence allows a leader to coach others with grace when correction or improvement are required. A confident, positive attitude allows a leader to identify a mistake, work with the team to fix it, and inspire confidence through the process.
Practical Steps: Remember that confidence is not arrogance or self-satisfaction. Confidence is walking in the knowledge you are where you need to be and doing what you were called to do. Take some time to remember when God called you and what He said. Allow the Lord to refresh your confidence and ask for new scriptures of confirmation.
5. Inspiration
Leadership is a balance between tough and tender. Often a leader is required to be the ‘bad guy’ in situations of realignment, adjustment, and change. When your love for the team is apparent every day, even during the tough moments, you can inspire them to keep going. Your ability to inspire is the quality of a great leader which needs to be carefully crafted. We have all heard about inspirational leaders who left the path of righteousness and led others based on their own desires. Remain accountable to other leaders and mentors who will continue to counsel you in godly leadership.
A leader inspires with words of encouragement, reports of progress, making time to celebrate victories, and simply with his/her presence. Tell your team how they are impacting those around them and the company at large. Share relevant articles, books and encouraging quotes, and remind them of your shared goals. Be a positive role model and example the attributes you want to see in your team.
Practical Steps: There is no replacement for a good leader. Evaluate your leadership and ask a trusted mentor to evaluate you. Listen to some inspirational/motivational speakers for suggestions on what to do and what not to do to inspire your team. Consider how a successful coach rallies a team in the locker room by reminding them of who they are, how hard they have worked, the goal they all share, and the belief in their ultimate success.
You can develop all 5 of these qualities of a great leader. For a deeper look into these qualities and more, take advantage of our free Leader Manager Mini-book available by filling out the form below.
We can also recommend the following for developing leadership qualities:
WealthBuilders Business Coaching
Learn from our expert coaches in a hands-on program based on biblical principles. We are invested in your success and want to empower you to advance the Kingdom of God through your leadership. Coaching is a great way to remain accountable and learn from the experience of others.
https://www.wealthbuilders.org/business-coaching
This post was originally published on November 13, 2017 and has since been updated to serve you with more accurate and comprehensive content.
