by Spectrum Business
Successful managers do not fit a cookie-cutter mold. Instead, they have distinct attributes — just like everyone else. However, a few core qualities are so vital for leadership that it is difficult to succeed without them.
Emphasis on coaching and people development has been a major shift from the traditional management approach to the contemporary management approach. To gain the trust and respect of your employees, you need to show genuine interest in them as people — not just as workers.
Personal empathy often shows up at the top of surveys about great leadership qualities.Â
Empathy means you have a desire and ability to understand the total person with each employee. You know that their personal and family lives impact their joy and accomplishments at work. Empathetic leaders listen to employee concerns, coach them through obstacles and inspire respect.
Responsibility and accountability are very distinct attributes. However, they relate closely in great leadership. Top managers accept responsibility for the actions they take and the decisions they make.
A motivational leader passes on credit for successes to their company or work team, but accepts personal accountability when things do not go so well. Passing on blame prevents a manager from thinking about how to do things better the next time. It also fosters a culture in which employees may deflect accountability and failures can lead to conflict within teams. When a leader is accountable, it sets the right tone for a productive organization.
Leaders need confidence and optimism. These traits contribute to another impacting attribute of great leaders — decisiveness. Employees look to a manager as a stabilizing force during uncertain times. When a dilemma comes up, a manager can inspire confidence by making swift, confident and assertive decisions.
Great managers understand when more time is necessary to gather data and analyze a situation as well. Balancing decisive action in urgent situations and rational evaluation when time allows is fundamental to quality leadership.
Above all else, a great leader is character-driven. This means they have a strong moral character and act with integrity. A character-driven person does not take the easy way out or seek immediate gratification over doing what is right. They also think about how their actions impact customers, employees, partners, suppliers, investors and other company stakeholders.
Without character, a manager is a leader in title only. With compelling character, a manager is able to get buy-in from employees.
While aspiring managers can grow in each of these areas, naturally possessing core qualities of an effective leader gives you an easier path to management success. Many other attributes enhance a leader’s performance, but the synergy of empathy, responsibility, accountability, decisiveness and high character shape a compelling leader.
