Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no one characteristic that all successful leaders possess without fail. There are, however, a few character traits that go hand-in-hand with solid leadership. If you work on strengthening these traits, you will significantly improve your leadership abilities.

My Top 15 Characteristics of a Leader

Much has been written about the top characteristics of a leader. In my three decades of experience, I’ve worked with many leaders from different backgrounds.

Here are 15 top characteristics of a leader that I’ve seen repeatedly in people that truly excel.

• Attitude: Real leaders stay positive, and their attitude never wavers in public. You never want to take a bad mood out on your employees, nor should you let them see you worry about the organization. Positivity is the best policy.
• Purpose: You need to have a coherent vision for your future and a workable plan for how to get there.
• Urgency: Great leaders act with a sense of urgency. Your plan for success needs to be implemented today, not tomorrow, not next week.
• Passion: A leader’s top character trait is a passion for the organization. If you believe in your mission, your team will follow you.
• Creativity: You must have a unique approach to your work that hasn’t been tried before.
• Loyalty: Protect your people, but if their commitment ever wavers, it’s time to upgrade your talent. Loyalty is a two-way street.
• Intellectual curiosity: The best people on your team are the ones that challenge you with a unique twist on traditional legacy ideas.
• Courage: If it’s important to you, you must fight through the rejection, the objections, the noise, and the BS.
• Honesty: Don’t be afraid to admit when you are wrong. Your people will admire you for your honesty.
• Tact: Thinking before you speak is a learned art form. Practice it. There’s no excuse for a leader who unloads on his or her team. On the other hand, there’s always a polite and respectful way to deliver your message.
• Style: It’s who you are and how you act when everything hits the fan. Remember that your team is always watching. So leading by example is essential.
• Willingness to make mistakes: One of the top characteristics of a leader is a willingness to fall flat on your face. Consider Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and many other leaders who had tasted the pavement before they became successful.
• Risk tolerance: Mistakes are a full-contact sport, and failure is necessary for growth. Dust off your jeans and re-engage.
• Modesty: It’s always about them, not you. Never take credit for your team’s work, but take responsibility for their collective failures. Part of leading well is managing those outcomes.
• Celebrate success: Party when it works out and honestly have the guts to debrief when it doesn’t.

These top characteristics of a leader can all be nurtured if they don’t come naturally to you, but it helps to have an outside objective viewpoint. So please fill out my contact form to schedule a complimentary discussion about building your leadership muscle tone.

Coach Dave