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What Are the Qualities of an Effective Leader?

What Are the Qualities of an Effective Leader?

What makes a good leader? Does it depend on the industry? Can circumstances dictate the qualities of an effective leader?

You can probably personally attest that managers and business owners have wildly different leadership styles. Some choose fear as their ally while others attempt to be everyone's best friend.

Unfortunately, many leaders miss the mark because they fail to understand what an effective leader actually looks like. Additionally, egos and personality flaws can also inhibit a person from becoming the leader their subordinates need.

While no two leaders will be exactly alike, there are certain traits and qualities of an effective leader that are relatively universal. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Lead By Example

Before coming down on employees for a poor work ethic, a good leader examines their own habits. Ask yourself what example you're setting for your subordinates. You may not have the same duties as they do, but if you sit in your office scrolling through Facebook, you're not giving them much to live up to. 

Lead by example. Show them what hard work and dedication looks like.

Show Empathy and Compassion

A respectable leader should be strict and expect the best out of his or her subordinates. However, you must also be compassionate and empathetic. At the end of the day, we're all human. 

If you start losing touch with your humanity in an attempt to boost productivity or prove your dominance, you'll lose your employees' affection. Productivity will drop and employee loyalty will wane.

Encourage Open and Honest Communication

One of the most important qualities of an effective team leader is approachability. If your subordinates are afraid to come to you with questions, concerns, or mistakes, you're doing something wrong. This scenario represents a breakdown in communication. 

Instead, you should work hard to foster a work environment with the foundation of open and honest communication, regardless of context.

Be Confident, But Humble

As a leader, you must learn to be more confident, especially if it's never been your strong suit. If you lack confidence, your employees will lack confidence in you. They'll be hesitant to follow your directions and may even start to undermine your authority. 

However, you must be cautious not to become overly confident. Overconfidence may come off as arrogance or close-mindedness, which your subordinates will also not respect. Learning humility is just as important as developing confidence.

Seeks to Earn Respect, Rather Than Demand It

There's nothing worse than working for someone who demands respect but is unwilling to earn it. Your position of authority alone isn't enough to garner team loyalty and obedience. You have to earn your subordinates' respect. 

You can do this by putting in the long hours with them and treating them like human beings. Yes, you're their boss, but that doesn't make you better than them. Give them a reason to want to be lead by you.

Promotes Equality in the Workplace

A good leader knows the importance of a cohesive and positive work environment. This can't exist in a workplace where discrimination and inequality are allowed.

One of the most important qualities of an effective leader is knowing how to identify a negative work environment and immediately rectify the situation. Obviously, this means the leader cannot participate in any form of favoritism or discrimination either.

Promotes a Sustainable Work Environment

As a leader, you can't expect to lead effectively if you aren't taking time for self-care. While it's easy to adopt this principle for yourself, don't forget that your subordinates require the same level of grace.

Yes, you need to be driven and push your employees to work harder. However, there's a fine line between pushing people to be their best and pushing them too hard. One of the top qualities of an effective leader is knowing how to tread that line.

Working sustainably is vital for the longevity of employee productivity and happiness.

Provides Clear Expectations

When a single employee is unproductive or bad at their job, it's generally a personal issue. However, if an entire team is performing poorly, it likely comes down to leadership. 

In some cases, employees simply don't know what's expected of them. They aren't given a clear direction to go in nor anything to strive for.

An effective leader provides clear expectations. He or she will also outline specific goals, both for individuals and the team. These goals can be based on weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly objectives.

Inspires Creativity and Innovation

Employees can feel unmotivated in a job that requires little creative thinking. One of the best qualities of an effective leader is knowing how to keep subordinates inspired by encouraging creativity and motivation. 

Just because you're in the authoritative position, it doesn't mean you're the only one with good ideas. Encourage your team to come up with ideas to improve productivity, increase leads, better your work environment, and more to get the best out of everyone. 

Knows How to Make Difficult Decisions

Decisiveness is one of the most important qualities of an effective instructional leader. They need to know how to make tough calls, even when it means making unpopular decisions. 

If you're in a leadership position, it's because someone higher up than you believes you have a sound mind capable of making difficult decisions. They trust you, therefore, you should trust yourself. 

Learn how to examine the facts to make informed decisions. However, you must also learn to trust your intuition and follow your instincts. Those are likely what got you to your current position of authority in the first place.

Do You Have the Qualities of an Effective Leader?

Running a business requires a lot of time, attention, and skill. While possessing the qualities of an effective leader is essential to making your business successful, there's a little more to it than that. 

Our blog is dedicated to helping small business owners all over the country grow their businesses and build successful empires. Leadership is crucial to success and these qualities of an effective leader can help any owner pause and reflect on where they can grow. Check out some of our other leadership articles before you go for more valuable information and advice.

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