Characteristics of Great Leaders
The list of leadership characteristics presented below were compiled from the following sources: Harvard University's Center for Public Leadership, The Center for Creative Leadership; Jim Collin's book "Good To Great"; and several other management books including "Gung Ho" by Ken Blanchard.
- Great leaders have a heightened sense of self-awareness. They understand their assumptions, belief systems, their emotions, and how they think.
- Great leaders look beyond their own self-interest and desire to make a difference through positive social change.
- Great leaders question old assumptions and encourage others to do the same.
- Great leaders hire and surround themselves with the best people.
- Great leaders work with their people to create a shared vision and then empower them to achieve the vision created.
- Great leaders show their people the importance and meaning of their work: each job is viewed as essential to achieve the vision.
- Great leaders clearly show how success will benefit all.
- Great leaders are grounded in reality, but retain the faith that the vision can be obtained.
- Great leaders create a culture where people can be heard and allowed to contribute.
- Great leaders build a culture of self-disciplined people who take disciplined action, and promote freedom and responsibility (and avoid and eliminate bureaucracy and hierarchy).
- Great leaders create a culture where truth is heard. They lead with questions, not answers, and engage in dialogue and discussion, not coercion and manipulation.
- Great leaders seek to establish trust through candor and transparency. People should know where the leader stands.
- Great leaders challenge others with high standards and encourage creativity and innovation.
- Great leaders give people autonomy and control over work processes.
- Great leaders inspire and reward risk taking.
- Great leaders eliminate class distinctions.
- Great leaders act as role models.
- Great leaders credit others for success and accept responsibility for failure.
- Great leaders consider the needs of each individual.
- Great leaders express confidence in their people.
