8 Qualities of a Good Leader

Being a manager and being having good leadership are two different things, but a good manager should possess effective leadership skills.

A manager controls a group of people, but a leader inspires, motivates and leads them. But what does it mean to be a good leader?

In this blog, we will be outlining 8 qualities that a good leader should have, so read to learn more about what it takes to be a good leader.

1 – Communication

Communication is one of the most important skills any leader should have – regardless of your career, role, industry, or brand. Being able to communicate effectively (concisely, clearly and tactfully) is imperative when liaising with not only your team members but your clients too.

Great leaders share their vision by asking questions, sharing ideas, and passing down information when needed. As a manager or team leader, you need to be able to communicate confidently and effectively.

Good communication skills require good listening skills. You should be able to listen to what your team has to say, listen to your clients, and take on board any feedback that comes your way.

If you’re unable to listen, then your team members may not come to you when they have an issue – which can impact the whole company.

2 – Personal Development

To be a good leader, you need to invest time in constantly developing your skills; whether it be on a personal or professional basis.

This involves developing your emotional intelligence – for example, becoming a better listener, becoming more confident, or developing your empathy. This can also tie into communication – personal development training can help to improve your overall communication skills.

At MOVE, we can help you along your personal development journey; whether you need leadership development or business coaching, we are on hand to help you become the best version of yourself.

3 – Goal Setting

Effective leaders exhibit the importance of setting goals – whether it be personal goals or professional goals, goal-setting is a must in the world of business.

Learning how to set business goals can keep a business on track – and setting personal goals can keep a good leader on top of their tasks and personal development.

SMART goals are a great way to keep on track with your goals. SMART goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

This can make your goals much more achievable; having realistic goals that are specific and measurable – and that have a deadline – can increase the chances of success.

A good leader should set both short-term and long-term goals. Often, long-term goals consist of shorter-term goals or ‘stepping stones’. For example, if a goal is to have 10 new members of staff in 10 months, a shorter goal would be to have a new member of staff in 30 days.

4 – Decision-Making

Making difficult decisions can be challenging – it requires confidence and insight. This is something a good leader should prioritise and work to develop.

Likewise, decision-making can involve risk – and a good leader should be prepared to take informed risks in order to benefit the business. Making a decision and taking risks can be difficult, which is why it’s important to have the confidence to make fast decisions with limited information.

A good leader should be prepared to deal with the outcome if things don’t work out. This ties into accountability, which is another key quality of a good leader.

To be a good leader, you need to make decisions and hold yourself accountable for these decisions. If you aren’t decisive, chances are, your methods are not effective.

5 – Respect

A good leader will respect other team members, motivating and inspiring both senior members of staff and new starters.

This respect should be mutual – as well as respecting others, a good leader should be respected. If nobody in the team respects their leader, the business won’t operate effectively. For example, tasks may not get completed on time, and boosting morale would become a lot more difficult.

If, however, you respect your team and your team respects you, then performance and morale should be at an all-time high.

6 – Self Awareness

Self-awareness is key for anybody leading a business or team; it’s a key trait for leadership. Having insight into your goals, ambitions, strengths and weaknesses is imperative if you want to effectively manage a team.

Part of being self-aware is understanding your weaknesses – and identifying your weaknesses is key to self-development. Once you understand your weaknesses, you can go through training or development courses to become the best leader you can be.

Do you understand how your team members may view you? Do you know what skills you need to work on? Are you leading a team as effectively as you can be? These are all things you should consider in order to become more self-aware.

7 – Flexibility

Managing a team can be difficult, and can often become more difficult as the team grows. This means that it can be tough to remain adaptable and flexible. However, flexibility is important when leading a team.

When you come across obstacles, you have to be adaptable and not let the obstacles stop you. Be prepared to pause and reassess the situation, and come up with a new plan of action. Change is a part of any business, whether it be a small start-up or a large-scale corporation. Embrace the change and don’t let it stop your course of action.

8 – Responsibility

Finally, one of the most important qualities a leader should have is responsibility. Likewise, good leaders should be dependable; if you are customer-facing, your customers should be able to rely on you. Likewise, your team needs to be able to depend on you – ultimately, you are responsible for their success.

If you take responsibility for your actions, follow through with your work and support your team, you build trust and show signs of being a good leader. If you would like to learn more about personal development, contact our team at MOVE – we can help you become the leader that your team deserves.

Mark and Andrea, the business owners of MOVE, exemplify the leadership qualities discussed in this article through their real-world application. By prioritising effective communication, setting and achieving meaningful goals, and promoting a culture of respect within their team, they provide a tangible example of how these qualities contribute to the success and transparency of their business.