Whenever we conduct leadership skills trainings, we always talk about the great leaders of the world and the traits that they displayed. So, who are the people that come to your mind when we say ‘great leaders’? APJ Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, etc.?
I am sure you have your own list of great leaders. But what is it in them that makes you call them great? What is so captivating about them that nations and the world follow them? Have you ever thought about it? Well, this is exactly what we do in our leadership training workshops. We talk about the traits and behaviours that such great leaders display. And what can we learn from them and start working on to build such leadership traits within ourselves too.
Today, I thought of sharing some of the behavioural traits that I admire in these leaders and those that we can learn from. So, here goes…
Vision and Purpose
This is something that I have seen every great leader have in life. They have a vision as to where they want to go and what their life’s purpose is. Having that clarity gives them direction and helps them stay focussed. They know exactly what purpose they are there to fulfil and what needs to be done to fulfil it.
Humility
If you observe most of these great leaders talking, you will always find them to be very humble. This humility comes with the realization that it’s the followers that make a leader and they should therefore be put first no matter what.
Empathy
A lot of people confuse empathy with sympathy. There is a very thin line between the two and to be a great leader, one should be well aware of it. After all, its empathy that helps a leader bring others up. Sympathy can take him down with them.
Ownership and Accountability
This is definitely a quality that every leader displays or must display. Taking ownership of tasks and accountability of outcomes is what sets leaders apart from the rest.
Decision Making
Taking some tough and necessary calls is not everyone’s cup of tea. Leaders are born to take decisions. Its how they take such decisions and thereafter manage the consequences, that makes them true leaders.
- Empowerment: Leaders who micromanage are not good leaders. Those who empower their people, give them the authority to take decisions and encourage accountability are the real leaders.
These are just a few qualities and behavioural traits that I have mentioned. There many more that we come across in our leadership skills trainings. And isn’t developing these what leadership development training is all about?