Leadership is a tough gig. I think it’s easy for those of us in leadership positions to let it go to our heads but make no mistake. As much as leadership is a privilege and an honor, it is a burden, too.
Heavy is the head that wears that crown and all that.
So many people aspire for positions of leadership because they equate it with power. Leaders call the shots. Leaders make history. And while to a degree this is true, real leadership has a lot more to do with service than ruling a personal kingdom. We’ve got an enormous responsibility on our shoulders as leaders.
What it means to be a good leader is a little different for each of us. It is shaped by our history, experience, and values. Certain leadership qualities are timeless. That said, perhaps more important than our ideas about great leadership are the things that your team — the people you lead — really want from a leader.
Here are four things I’ve learned really count when it comes to great leadership.
4 Qualities Your Team Demands in a Great Leader
We Need Leaders that Are:
1) Purposeful
Your team wants to know where they’re heading. A clear vision and purpose, well-communicated and emphasized, is vital in leadership. No one wants to feel aimless or as if they’re not working towards something more significant. It can make the daily grind seem that much more menial. For your team, it has to go beyond making money for the company. Your purpose in doing what you do, doing it the way that you do it, must be crystal clear. A shared vision is a unifying force within a team of colleagues. As the leader, you set the stage for purposeful, meaningful work.
2) Emotionally Intelligent
I think we, especially as men, tend to ignore the value of emotional intelligence (EQ). Emotional intelligence is not necessarily about being in touch with your emotions. It’s much more about effectively navigating interpersonal relationships and emotional management.
Leaders with high EQ are empathetic listeners. They judge situations fairly. They don’t blow up when upset or frustrated. When you have high EQ, you team is never afraid to approach you. They don’t worry about your reactions or irrational decision-making. Instead, they can trust that you will listen, care, and make decisions with a level head.
3) Full of Conviction & Integrity
Integrity is something you can’t buy. It’s one of those things that’s hard to build up but very easy to lose. In the business world, integrity is paramount to long-term success. Reputation is what sustains careers and builds empires. Your team needs a leader with conviction. A leader with integrity. You set the stage for how work gets done, what the expectations are, and what is and is not acceptable.
People want to respect who they work for. They want to be proud of where they work and what they do. So much of that comes from you — your passions, your honest dealings, and your conviction about the things that matter.
4) Positive
Never underestimate the power of positivity. Being a positive leader doesn’t mean that you ignore or hide problems. It doesn’t mean you shy away from tough conversations. It means you’re quick to point out good work. You give credit. You dispense praise and encouragement. Even when things go wrong, you can point out where things were on the right track.
It’s far too easy for leaders to beat down their team by withholding positive feedback unintentionally. When the only evaluations you receive are about all the things you’ve done wrong, it’s tough to stay motivated to do good work. Appreciate your team. Recognize when they do well. Be honest, but be quicker to compliment than to criticize.
There’s always a balance to strike in a leadership role. You must do what you know is right and what you know will lead to the best results. You also must listen to your team and their needs. After all, what is a leader without their team? Not much of a leader at all!
Rather than seeing leadership as a way to gain power or notoriety, see it as a role that unifies, drives, and inspires others to do their best work.
What have you learned your team values in leadership? Share in the comments.