Posts Tagged ‘successful leaders’

Being a successful leader is much more than just having good skills.  Your personal attributes or characteristics are just as important to your success.  In fact some research would suggest that these are even more vital to your success.  Of the host of characteristics that leaders have, here are my top 7.

Commitment

Leadership is a marathon rather than a sprint.  You need to be willing to keep going whatever the obstacles and challenges.

Clarity

Good leaders know where they are heading and why.  They have clarity of purpose.

Communication

The best leaders speak well, write well and listen exceptionally well.

Courage

Leaders who have courage make the big calls even when there is personal risk.

Consistency

People like leaders who, no matter what, their style is consistent.

Caring

Good leaders are interested in a care about the success of others.

Challenging

The best leaders challenge others to achieve bigger things than they thought were possible.

I wonder what other characteristics from your own experience that you would add to the list?

Duncan Brodie helps accountants and health professionals to realise their professional potential. He invites you to take advantage of his free audio e-course, Leadership Success.

1. High levels of personal commitment and willing to do what it takes.
2. Ready and able to bounce back from setbacks and disappointments.
3. Able to keep hold of the bigger picture even when dealing with the here and now.
4. Committed to helping others to achieve success.
5. Willing to make the time for others.
6. Courageous and willing to make the tough calls, even if it might be unpopular.
7. Treat everyone fairly and with respect, whatever level they are at.

So what other attributes would you add to the list?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

Anyone who takes the step into a leadership role wants to prosper and achieve success in my experience.  So what are the top 5 mistakes that less successful leaders make and what can you do differently?

Mistake 1: Survival rather than results focus

Your role as a leader is to get results.  Yet in my career I encountered a number of people who were more interested in survival than getting results.  When you are in this mode your focus is not on making things happen but in staying safe or protecting your status.

Mistake 2: Not taking responsibility

This can often happen in situations where there is a need for different organisations to work together to deliver results.  In these situations, it is often a case of pass the parcel, with people not taking responsibility for delivering on their part of the process.

Mistake 3: Focusing on the circumstances

Leading an organisation whether it is operating in the public or private sector is challenging.  Sometimes, especially when under pressure, it is tempting to focus on the circumstances rather than on the way forward.

Mistake 4: Trying to do it all themselves

No matter how good you are, there is only one of you and you only have strengths in certain areas.  Successful leaders know that it is teams rather than individuals that deliver high performance.

Mistake 5: Selective listening

Have you ever noticed how some leaders want to listen really well when you are sharing a success but seem disengaged when you are sharing a problem.  Good leaders listen in both situations and help and support you to achieve more.

I wonder what you would add to the list of mistakes.  I invite you to add a comment with your perspectives and experiences.