Some people like myself are not born leaders and if we wish to work as a manager or a business leader then we must work hard on our skills. Some others are born leaders, people like Misha Kaura who displays all of the very best skills that a leader should have. No matter which category you fall into it is vital that you have a good grasp of what characteristics are essential in a leader so that you can work on your skills to be the very best that you can be. Let’s take look then at what it is that makes a great leader.
Motivator
A leader must be able to motivate those that they are leading and in order to do this they need to understand people. Not everyone reacts in the same way to motivation and that is why it is essential that a leader is able to spot the personality and adapt their motivational techniques to the individual.
Communication Skills
A leader needs to be able to communicate their message with accuracy and with clarity, they must have a likable nature and they must have the skills to communicate with people at all levels. Communication skills are not just about talking and it is also vital that a good leader is able to listen when needed, take advice and have the humility to take other people’s points on board.
Forward Thinking
The clue is kind of in the title when we talk about a leader, they are literally leading us forward. This is why a great leader must always have one eye on the future, they must be able to spot danger when it is on its way and seek out opportunities which exist. This is the same no matter what type of leader you are.
Team Building
A leader is only as good as the team that they have around them and this is why the ability to create team which works in perfect unison is a key characteristic of all great leaders. Building a team is not about getting the best individuals, it is about getting people who mesh well and can work with one another to a high standard.
Consistent
Whether offering praise or giving criticism it is vital that a leader understands the need for consistency. If a team member is treated differently from another for doing the same thing, this can cause division and give the appearance that the leader has a favorite, this can’t be allowed to happen and it is why this consistency is so important.
Driven
Beyond everything else a leader must be a great example to the rest of those who they are leading, and for that reason they must be driven and passionate every single day. This example will rub off on the rest of the team and leading from the front is best done when you are more up for the challenge than all of those behind you.
These are the core characteristics of a great leader.
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