8 Traits of Successful Leaders

Are successful leaders born or made? It’s hard to say. Being a successful leader takes grit. Determination. And a whole lot of other important stuff.

Do you have what it takes to be an influential leader? Here are my thoughts about the traits of successful leaders:

Successful leaders are passionate and have a great attitude.

They believe in their mission and encourage others to line up behind them. They lead by example, and their excitement rubs off on those around them.

No matter the situation or circumstances, true leaders stay positive, and their attitude never varies in public. Ever.

Successful leaders show purpose and demonstrate urgency.

Strong leaders have understandable plans and determine how to reach the end goal. Their plans are actionable today – not tomorrow, not next week.

Successful leaders are creative and intellectually curious.

With a strong leader, people feel like they are plowing new fields. Great leaders understand that the best people on their team are the ones who challenge them the most and make them think.

Successful leaders are loyal.

True leaders protect their people and always give the benefit of the doubt. However, if they sense a change in their team’s loyalty, they’re not afraid to make changes and find new talent.

Successful leaders are courageous.

If necessary, they can fight through rejection, objections, noise, and BS. Great leaders stop at nothing until they’ve been heard.

Successful leaders are tactful.

Thinking before we speak is a learned art form; great leaders know this too well. They understand that if they practice using tact, they’re more likely to be respected.

Successful leaders have great style.

It’s not about what they wear, but who they are and how they act when “stuff hits the fan.” Exemplary leaders remember that others are watching and always aim to stay modest.

Successful leaders are honest, risk-tolerant, and willing to make mistakes.

Aggressive, strong leaders often fall in the mud. Just read about Abe Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and many others! The difference between these men and the leaders who followed them is that they knew that mud washed off.

Great leaders aren’t afraid to admit they made a mistake or if they misread the facts. Mistakes are a full-contact sport. Instead of beating themselves up or losing hope, strong leaders dust off their jeans and re-engage.

Successful leaders require a lot of nerve, passion, and strength. It’s not for the faint of heart or those unwilling to get their hands dirty. Success is complete with failure, re-tries, and learning; it’s not a simple process and takes a lifetime to work toward.

Whether you’re a business owner, a CEO of a multi-million dollar company, or simply an employee, successful leaders come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve got it in you to be a great leader. All you have to do is decide to put your best foot forward, remain modest, and earn the trust of those around you.

I teach and coach business owners how to be better leaders. Please fill out my contact form, and let’s get busy building your leadership skills.

Coach Dave