10 Characteristics of the Best Leaders

Do you ever feel overwhelmed as a manager? Being overburdened by the responsibility of what others want and need from you is a familiar feeling among leaders. Fortunately, there is a best practice for obtaining the information needed to increase your leadership effectiveness: Ask them what they want. When frontline staff, supervisors and middle managers have been asked to describe the traits they look for in a boss, the following 10 top the list. As you read through them, think about the kind of boss you are, the kind you want to be and what you look for in a good leader.

1. Innovative

Good leaders have good ideas, but serve more as facilitators than masterminds. They are not threatened by the talent of their employees and cultivate an environment of individual creativity.

2. Coaches

Good leaders provide important education and guidance. They help employees build confidence by giving assignments that require demonstration of new skills and provide feedback to allow necessary course corrections early. When employees do fail, they encourage reflection and identification of learning opportunities.

3. Caring

Good leaders provide opportunities to talk openly. They listen to their employees and show an interest in their opinions. They encourage personal and professional growth, sometimes by giving access to resources or by removing barriers.

4. Strategic

Good leaders can make hard choices and they have the finesse necessary to get people on board with unpopular decisions. They use analytical frameworks for guiding change, promoting transparent processes and communication. Strategic bosses are decisive without being closed-minded and avoid changing directions quickly or sending mixed messages.

5. Visionary

Good leaders are also visionary managers who are able to clearly see and build a commitment toward a compelling future. They articulate a sense of direction, map out the path and shepherd the process.

6. Trustworthy

Good leaders are genuine, have integrity and behave in a manner consistent with their word and values. They give and receive feedback, affirmative and constructive, while staying aware of the scope of their power in the organization and how it influences interactions with employees.

7. Adaptable

Good leaders balance giving support and direction with allowing employees the freedom to do their work. They understand that each employee possesses unique experiences, needs and cultural views that require individual consideration, and they adapt their own styles to ensure effective communication and productivity.

8. Passionate

A good leader has a fire in his or her belly about something—particularly the vision and mission of the organization. He or she is the model of motivation and commitment, helping employees stay connected to their passions by encouraging the sharing of ideas and helping to support those ideas through the larger organization.

9. Champions

People want to know that the person to whom they report is on their side, even when mistakes are made. Champions look for opportunities to recognize employees for doing a good job and go out of their way to do so. They don’t take credit for their employees’ work, and they don’t throw an employee under the bus—ever.

10. Fun

Good leaders value a work environment that encourages meaningful relationships among colleagues. They inspire employees to make the head-to-heart connection of the importance of their work and their value to the company. As a leader, use this list to identify the qualities you are modeling. Consider the opportunities for growth in your leadership practice, and encourage your employees to share their own needs.