leadership and management
22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader
1. Focus
“It’s been said that leadership is making important but unpopular decisions. That’s certainly a partial truth, but I think it underscores the importance of focus.
To be a good leader, you cannot major in minor things, and you must be less distracted than your competition. To get the few critical things done, you must develop incredible selective ignorance. Otherwise, the trivial will drown you.”
—Tim Ferriss, bestselling author, host of The Tim Ferriss Show
2. Confidence
“A leader instils confidence and ‘followership’ by having a clear vision, showing empathy and being a strong coach.
As a female leader, to be recognized I feel I have to show up with swagger and assertiveness, yet always try to maintain my Southern upbringing, which underscores kindness and generosity. The two work well together in gaining respect.”
—Barri Rafferty, CEO, Ketchum North America
3. Transparency
“I’ve never bought into the concept of ‘wearing the mask.’ As a leader, the only way I know how to engender trust and buy-in from my team and with my colleagues is to be 100 percent authentically me—open, sometimes flawed, but always passionate about our work.
It has allowed me the freedom to be fully present and consistent. They know what they’re getting at all times. No surprises.”
—Keri Potts, senior director of public relations, ESPN
4. Integrity
“Our employees are a direct reflection of the values we embody as leaders. If we’re playing from a reactive and obsolete playbook of needing to be right instead of doing what’s right, then we limit the full potential of our business and lose quality talent.
If you focus on becoming authentic in all your interactions, that will rub off on your business and your culture, and the rest takes care of itself.”
—Gunnar Lovelace, co-CEO and cofounder, Thrive Market
Read on for the full 22 qualities
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