10 Qualities of a Great Leader, their Qualities, Characteristics and Objectives

We explain what a great leader is and the qualities they present. Also, what are its general characteristics and objectives.

What is a great leader?

A leader is commonly called an individual who demonstrates the ability to inspire, direct, encourage, and lead a given group toward its goals , whether it be a corporation, a sports team, or a political party . This word comes from the English “ leader ” (leader) in turn from the verb to lead (drive).

The capabilities of exercising this role are varied and depend on the nature of the group to be led, but are summarized for practical purposes in the term leadership : the ability to act as a leader in a given situation and before a given group.

However, one leader may be better than another, depending on his understanding of the group's needs and the ideal mechanisms for meeting them. In this way, a leader will not necessarily be equivalent to a tyrant , a boss or a ruler, but will be able to delegate and manage the power that the group that follows him gives him. Thus, it is possible to speak of good and bad leaders, according to the way in which they exercise said power.

Characteristics of a great leader :

1. Model to follow

One of the main characteristics attributed to a great leader has to do with the ability to inspire the group to follow in his footsteps , that is, to become a model for the community. This taking into account that his followers will pay more attention to the actions of the leader than to his advice or instructions, so an ideal leader will be the one who leads by example.

2. Commitment

No leader can be great if he does not possess and demonstrate a capacity for commitment to the group that follows him . After all, if the leader of any company does not seem interested in it but in other matters, why should he continue to direct things? A significant share of commitment is essential to exercise leadership in the best way: the group must be able to trust the interest of its leader.

3. Initiative

The decision is one of the areas where more attends a group leader. The management of a group, from a condominium board to an international company, will always depend on the ability of its leaders to make timely decisions and on the specific way in which they face the challenge ahead.

Leaders can make decisions recklessly (courageous but irresponsible), timid (fearful and unmotivated ), or somewhere in between. A great leader is expected to make the pertinent decisions in conducting the group's strategies, in the most convenient way to achieve the objectives set.

4. Constant Learning

The ability to learn is fundamental in tackling problems. A person who does not want (or cannot) continue learning will be unable to adapt to changing contexts and the new demands of life , so they will be conservative and rigid in command. A great leader, on the other hand, will possess the necessary flexibility and humility in his personality to constantly grow in the face of the challenges presented by the organization to which he belongs.

5. Clarity of vision

It is not that a leader should be able to predict the future, but he is expected to intuit, anticipate or at least prepare for future eventualities , thus taking the necessary precautions that will lead to success. Short-termism and immediacy, or even delay, can be equally detrimental on your path to success.

6. I respect

Great leaders inspire respect in their group , which comes not from fear, intimidation or domination, but precisely from the frontal and respectful treatment, considered, towards their environment. A despotic or pushy leader will fail to command the respect of their followers and is likely to be short-lived in their charge.

7. Efficient communication

The communication is the basis of human relations . And much more when it comes to coordinating human efforts in various areas to obtain a common goal. Thus, the most efficient leaders will be those who best convey what they are thinking or the vision they have of things to their followers. Making yourself understood in the best way is, in this sense, an indispensable virtue for leadership.

8. Value creativity

Many times the solution to problems lies in unsuspected areas or in new, unexpected, daring ways of thinking. A great leader must be able to consider these alternatives when necessary , without being adventurous but without punishing innovative, out-of-the-box thinking .

In the same way, a leader must inspire his community to respect and cultivate creative thinking , because that is where the greatest human potential lies: in his ability to invent.

9. Clarity of objectives

Another vital point in the coordination of human efforts is the clarity of objectives. Setting unattainable goals and spurring the community to achieve them can be as bad a plan as setting contradictory goals, whose fulfillment prevents others. A great leader will know how to organize the expectations and needs of the group , and translate them into a series of steps to follow in a logical, sequential and organized manner.

10. Optimism

A subjective but valued trait in a leader of any nature is positive thinking, tenacity and the drive that he transmits to those who follow him . Defeatism and surrender are lousy motivators, while a dose of optimism can make all the difference between success and failure.

The above content published at Collaborative Research Group is for informational and educational purposes only and has been developed by referring reliable sources and recommendations from technology experts. We do not have any contact with official entities nor do we intend to replace the information that they emit.