What skills are needed for effective and inspirational leadership across organizations and businesses? A few years ago, Zenger and Folkman compiled research to discover just that, the most crucial characteristics that all leaders need to possess and practice. Rather than seeing data that pointed to leaders at different levels implementing differing skills and traits, they found that there was a specific subset of qualities that make a leader productive, especially at higher levels of an organization. Research showed that the competencies needed, as indicated by those in leadership and their employees, were fairly consistent across the board. These fundamental skills are so important that they were chosen practically twice as frequently as other choices given in the study. Because these qualities don’t shift incrementally, it is possible to begin fine-tuning leadership at any time, making an organization work more efficiently and producing results immediately.
Top Five Leadership Qualities
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Inspires and motivates others.
- Today’s employees don’t just want to clock in and earn a paycheck, they want to feel that what they are doing matters, that they are making a difference in their community or the world around them. A good leader capitalizes on that and helps their organization see the impact they are making or provides opportunities for connections to be made. Additionally, a good leader shows passion for business, the people that work under them, and those they interact with.
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Displays high integrity and honesty.
- People want to be able to trust the person who is guiding them through their workday or projects. They want to have confidence that the truth will be at the forefront of every conversation, business deal, or project they tackle. They want to see accountability and reliability from every single person on their team, but mostly from their leader.
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Solves problems and analyzes issues.
- Setbacks will occur, it’s a natural part of any process, but good leaders not only expect problems but plan for them. A good leader looks at the forest and the trees and everything in between to further develop their goals. Good leadership involves adaptability and flexibility to conquer these problems and issues.
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Drives for results.
- Good leadership doesn’t often show passivity but instead shows determination and perseverance. An effective leader pursues goals and approaches each day with a mentality of getting work done and bringing others alongside him or her for that purpose.
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Communicates powerfully and prolifically.
- Within organizations, people want communication and they want it in a variety of ways. It isn’t enough to post a weekly memo, instead, a full range of forms of communication needs to take place on a regular basis. Good leaders seek opportunities to stop by a desk for a quick, informal conversation, they send informative emails that give updates and cast vision, and they hold meetings that are rich and purposeful. Communication involves the leader and the organization as well, and employees need the chance to be heard with appropriate feedback.
Frontline is poised to help fine-tune and develop leadership within your organization. Our corporate training and leadership development can shift your leaders in title only to good leadership for the entire company. To learn more contact Front Line Leadership’s Robert Winter at 832-483-5535 or contact us. Good Leadership is possible with Front Line.