Yes, you’ve guessed it – another leadership article. But this time, we’ve got leadership advice for everyone, not just for those in people management positions. Truth is, our daily interactions with people serve as a great way to practice leadership qualities. You don’t have to be in a leadership position to display great leadership qualities. Everyone possesses the potential for leadership, and it comes down to practicing and honing those qualities. The best part? You can start way before ever stepping into a management position.
But what exactly are these leadership qualities?
- Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of others. Individuals with high EI are much more prepared to handle interpersonal relationships. They are often more empathetic and can resolve conflict in a cooperative manner that involves all parties.
Highly emotionally intelligent individuals are self-aware, self-regulated, empathetic, and possess strong connections with others. Leaders with high emotional intelligence have a 75% better chance of building effective team relationships and achieving better team performance.
- Integrity and Accountability
Individuals who demonstrate honesty, accountability and transparency will earn the trust and respect of others. Keeping your promises, talking the talk and walking the walk is going to gradually build trust. Accountability goes hand in hand with integrity. Great leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions, and they hold themselves and others accountable for achieving results.
According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 67% of people say that trust in leadership is built on integrity and transparency.
- Effective Communication
Effective communication is crucial for any successful relationship, let alone those in leadership positions. An excellent communicator is one who listens actively, provides constructive feedback, and conveys ideas clearly and convincingly. More importantly, an effective communicator recognizes when their audience have, or have not understood what they said.
A common consequence of poor communication is poor execution. The Economist Intelligence Unit found that poor communication in the workplace led to a 44% drop in productivity and a 25% increase in employee turnover.
- Adaptability and Resilience
In today’s rapidly changing world, an individual’s ability to adapt and be resilient is a key leadership quality. Great leaders are flexible, open to new ideas, and can pivot their strategy in a heartbeat. They embrace change, set a new vision, and more importantly, they ensure everyone is onboard for the ride. Resilience allows them to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude even in the face of setbacks.
Organizations with leaders who exhibit high adaptability are 1.5 times more likely to outperform their peers.
- Empowerment and Delegation
Empowering others is a hallmark of great leadership. Effective leaders trust their team members and delegate tasks appropriately. By empowering their team, leaders not only distribute workload but also foster professional growth and development.
A study in the Harvard Business Review found that employees who feel empowered by their leaders are 67% more engaged in their work.
- Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
Great leaders are decisive and possess strong problem-solving skills. They can analyse situations, weigh options, and make informed decisions promptly. Even under pressure, they remain calm and focused, ensuring that their choices align with the organization's values and goals. They possess a healthy mix of decision making, and objectiveness.
97% of successful projects were led by managers with strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Inspire & Motivate Others
Lastly, great leaders inspire and motivate others. They lead by example, demonstrating passion and commitment to their vision. Through their enthusiasm and dedication, they inspire their team to strive for excellence and achieve their full potential.
Highly motivated leaders are 21% more productive and 22% more profitable than those with less motivational leadership.
Conclusion
While these are essential leadership qualities, you don’t need to be in a management position to start practicing them. Remember:
A manager may not always be a great leader, and a great leader may not necessarily be a manager.
Great leadership is not about wielding power but about empowering others to achieve greatness. Whether you are just starting out in your career, leading a small team, or a large organization, embodying these leadership qualities can help you become the leader others aspire to follow.