2. 1. A good listener
Leadership is about understanding the issues of business and the issues
people have and then acting on them fairly and decisively. Best way to
do this is listen first, then act. (Seek First to Understand, Then to be
Understood).
3. 2. Ability to process information and
make decisions, popular or otherwise.
It has often seen leaders make halfhearted decisions meekly, nondecisively, and far too late. No surprise that these decisions
are have little impact as they are often too little, too late. Making a
tough decision that is the right one, but not a popular one, is
difficult. Real leaders make hard decisions.
4. 3. Rewarding performance over longevity
This one is kind of obvious. Performance is key. Great performers
should be rewarded while weaker performers should not. But
often one’s longevity clouds objectivity, particularly if a weak
performer was once a higher performer but for whatever reason
is now “mailing it in”
5. 4. Vision
Business is changing so quickly in every industry. The best leaders
understand the changing nature of their business, embrace the
changes, and make decisions accordingly. While your business does
not have to be a pioneer in every change, it surely needs to be
among the leaders rather than a grudging follower.
6. 5. Inspirational
Good leaders are not above the team but part of the team.
Yet they have qualities others admire and inspire others to
be their best. They are a role model for hard work, integrity
and passion. And they have “muddy boots” as my buddy
Dave Griffith (and a great leader) would say.
