8 Must-Have Leadership Qualities

In addition to providing direction, inspiration, and guidance, good leaders exhibit the qualities of courage, passion, confidence, commitment, and ambition. They nurture the strengths and talents of their direct reports and build teams committed to achieving common goals. See the 8 most-effective leadership qualities below:
 

A good leader must have a strong idea of where to go, how to get there, and what success looks like. They are able to articulate their vision clearly and passionately and ensure their team understands how their individual efforts contribute to higher level goals. 

Good leaders know that the best way to build credibility and gain the respect of others is to set the right examples. They demonstrate the behavior they want people to follow. Aligning  words with actions helps to build trust and make  the  team more willing to follow in a positive example

A leader with integrity draws on their values to guide their decisions, behavior, and dealings with others. They have clear convictions about what is right and wrong and are respected for being genuine and consistent. They have a strong sense of character, keep their promises, and communicate openly, honestly and directly with others. Someone that displays integrity through daily actions elicits loyalty, confidence, and respect from their employees.

The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and tactfully is a must-have leadership quality. Communication involves more than just listening attentively to others and responding appropriately. It also includes sharing valuable information, asking intelligent questions, soliciting input and new ideas, clarifying misunderstandings, and being clear about Requests. The best leaders also communicate to inspire and energize their staff.

The ability to make fast, difficult decisions with limited information is critical. When facing a tough decision, effective leaders start by determining what they are trying to achieve. They consider the likely consequences of all decisions and any available alternatives. They make final decisions with conviction, take responsibility for it and follow it through. 

Frequently and consistently recognizing achievement is one of the most powerful leadership qualities a manager can have. For people to stretch themselves and contribute their best efforts, they need to know their work will be valued and appreciated. Find ways to celebrate the achievements of your team, even if it’s through a simple ‘well done.’ In addition to boosting morale, it will also strengthen their motivation to continue giving their best.

Great leaders understand that for people to give their best, they must have a sense of ownership over their work and believe that what they’re doing is meaningful. They communicate clear goals and deadlines to their teams and give them the autonomy and authority to decide how the work gets done. They challenge them with high expectations and encourage them to be creative and show innovation.

Effective leaders drive their team forward with passion, enthusiasm, inspiration, and motivation. They invest time in people to determine their strengths, needs, and priorities. Along with making them feel valuable, this helps leaders understand the best way to motivate them.They continually reinforce how their efforts are making a difference, and encourage the development of their potential with meaningful goals and challenges.