Leadership is not a position; it's an action and a mindset. Great leaders are not born; they are made through continuous self-reflection and continuous growth. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting on your leadership journey, taking time to reflect on your leadership traits is essential for personal and professional development. In this article, we'll explore 10 key leadership traits that you should reflect on to become a more effective and impactful leader.
Self-awareness: Leadership begins with a leader’s sense of self-awareness. Studies have shown that 95% of people feel they are self-aware of who they are, but the reality is that only 10 - 15% actually are (See HBR Review). To do this you need to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs. Truly, understand how your emotions and behaviors impact others. Find a partner that can highlight your blind spots. Being self-aware allows you to make conscious choices that align with your leadership goals, it also allows you to surround yourself with colleagues that can combat your weaknesses.
Empathy: Effective leaders are empathetic. Reflect on your ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Ask yourself if you actively listen to your team members and consider their perspectives. Empathy fosters trust and collaboration. Many leaders refuse to show their empathetic side, they see it as weakness. Ultimately it is not their fault, corporate culture and society has programed us to be this way. True leaders go against the grain, they show empathy, they embrace their flaws.
Communication: Communication is at the core of leadership. Reflect on your communication style. Are you clear, concise, and open in your communication? Effective leaders inspire and motivate through their words, and they are able to identify the way someone likes to be communicated with and can adapt their communication style to fit the person they are speaking with.
Adaptability: The world is constantly changing, and leaders must be able to pivot and adapt. Reflect on how well you embrace change and encourage your team to do the same. Adaptability enables you to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.
Vision: Reflect on your long-term vision. Are you able to articulate a compelling vision that inspires others to follow? A clear vision provides direction and purpose for your team, so they know where the organization is headed. In the end nobody has a crystal ball that predicts the future and what it brings, but having a well thought out vision will ensure when the road does get rocky you and your people will still know where you are headed.
Decisiveness: Leaders must make tough decisions on a daily basis. Reflect on your ability to make timely and well-informed decisions. Avoiding procrastination and indecision, this builds trust among your team and a true sense of comfort that you can make tough calls.
Integrity: Integrity is the foundation of trust. Reflect on whether your actions align with your words and values. Trust is a leader's most valuable asset. Most have a high integrity with other people, but when it comes to holding themselves accountable is where we falter. Keep your promises to yourself.
Accountability: Accountability doesn't have to be a dirty word. You can read my thoughts on why accountability doesn't have to be a dirty word here. Effective leaders hold themselves and their team members accountable. Reflect on your commitment to taking responsibility for your actions and ensuring that others do the same.
Resilience: Leadership often comes with challenges and setbacks. Reflect on how you handle adversity. Resilience allows you to bounce back from setbacks and inspire your team to do the same. You may not always be able to control the issues you face but can control how you react to them.
Servant Leadership: Reflect on your leadership style. Are you focused on serving your team and helping them grow? Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team members, which leads to a more motivated and engaged workforce.
Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Reflecting on these 10 leadership traits can help you become a more effective and inspirational leader. Regular self-assessment and a commitment to personal growth are keys to developing these traits. Remember, leadership is not about being perfect but continually striving to improve and positively influence those around you. By reflecting on these traits, you can enhance your leadership skills and make a lasting impact in your personal and professional life. As always, Stay Hungry, Stay Driven and KEEP GROWING!
Principle MP Solutions- For 25 years Rob has been driven by the passion he has to grow people and organizations. Rob has worked with hundreds of companies and is a sought-after speaker on sales, sales management, social media, strategy and goal setting. He brings his 18 years of Sandler Training experience to MP Solutions.
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