20 keys to Standout as A Leader

Leadership has been endlessly dissected, and even with the advent of technology, the fundamentals of leadership have not changed. Leaders should have the ability to inspire others to action, motivating people to do things they normally wouldn’t have done without the leader’s intervention. Here are 20 keys that outstanding leaders use to stand out and lead people toward a well-defined vision:

They are great listeners – Great leaders are great listeners. Leaders like Ronald Reagan were well known for their listening skills. When a leader listens to the team, the team feels that the leader is part of them and is willing to take into account the issues at hand. Leaders understand that for a team to perform, they need to feel good about themselves. The ability to be heard is a core human need, and a leader who listens can become empathetic and win the trust of their team. With the continued disruption through AI and robotics, empathy is a standout skill for leaders.

They have high energy – Great leaders are highly energetic. They often make you wonder how they manage to get everything done. They are role models, aware that they are on display. Most leaders take care of themselves by eating well, sleeping adequately, and exercising consistently. High energy allows leaders to sustain their concentration over a long period. They know they need to be cheerful throughout their day.

They display a great attitude – Great leaders have a positive outlook on life and radiate optimism to the people they meet. You can’t imagine a well-rounded leader without a great attitude. Leaders are quick to praise others for their successes and take personal responsibility when things go wrong. They ensure everyone on the team is aware of what is going on, and their attitude rubs off on the team. Jack Welch also put this as the number one success criteria for a leader to have a great attitude which leads to high energy and ability to energize others.

They have a high level of desire – Great leaders have an above-average desire to be successful. They have a vision that transcends fears and dreams of things that others wouldn’t. Leadership requires an enormous amount of responsibility and desire to get the job done. A leader needs to think big and have a burning desire to succeed both personally and for the organization.

They are committed to excellence – Great leaders are committed to excellence in everything they do. They stay up to date in their industry and are on the cutting edge of the learning revolution. Leaders sign all their work with excellence, understanding that excellence is a journey, not a destination. Thomas Watson of IBM once said, “You can get to excellence today by just making sure that everything you do from now on is nothing short of excellence.”

They are highly result-oriented – Great leaders are extremely result-oriented. Setting an audacious vision is one thing, but delivering on that vision is what separates great leaders from the rest. True leaders understand that they are ultimately measured by their results, not their activity. They are ruthless about getting the job done and delivering value to the clients they serve. An obsession with customer service is another hallmark of a great leader, leading to better results. It is not an effort contest it is an art contest.

They are committed to the success of the enterprise – Great leaders are more committed to the success of the enterprise than to their individual success. They sacrifice themselves for a larger cause, ensuring their actions align with the overall mission and vision of the organization. The success of the organization is the true crown of a great leader. This is also what Jim Collins described as a Level 5 leader who were willing to sacrifice for the cause and who also have a ferocious resolve.

They are very honest – Great leaders are completely honest. They do not hide when failures happen. They take tough decisions when necessary and do not hesitate to change personnel if the situation demands it. Surveys have consistently shown that honesty is a defining trait of great leaders.

They are totally inspiring – Great leaders are truly inspiring, motivating others into action. They ensure that those who work with them always give their best and deliver on their promises. Leaders are self-inspired, knowing that without internal motivation, they cannot inspire others. Inspiration is a vital requirement for true leadership.

They persevere despite setbacks – Great leaders persevere when things go wrong, as they inevitably will. The only constant in a leader’s life is crisis. There will always be challenges when achieving something big. This is the true test of a leader—persevering beyond the point where others would give up. True leaders never give up on their ultimate vision, marching to the drumbeat of their conscience even when everything around them tells them to quit.

They practice minimalism – Great leaders know exactly where to focus their energy and where they want the organization to go. It’s not enough to have a vision without clearly defining the organization’s priorities. Many world-class CEOs emphasize that three big priorities are the key. Anything more than that dilutes the message. Focus on the vital few versus the trivial many. Minimalism is gaining ground, with simplicity being the ultimate form of sophistication. Bob Iger in his book "The Ride of a Lifetime" says focus only on 3 priorities and nothing more than that. In his case it was about creating a truly global company, embrace technology and create high quality content. The number responsibility of a CEO is to clearly define 3 priorities for the organization to go after.

They embrace complexity and flexibility – Great leaders understand that the only constant in an ever-changing landscape is complexity, and they must remain flexible to change plans when necessary. The future is uncertain, and leaders who embrace contradictions and adapt like a willow in the wind will succeed. In the book CEO Excellence, the authors describe the CEO role as managing numerous contradictions, such as balancing short-term and long-term goals. This mindset is essential for leaders at all levels to thrive in the future.

They develop others – Great leaders are dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders. They actively mentor, coach, and support the growth of others. By investing in their team’s development, they build a strong foundation for the future of the organization. Leaders like Satya Nadella of Microsoft have made leadership development a core aspect of their strategy, ensuring that future leaders are prepared to carry the vision forward.

They encourage innovation – Great leaders foster an environment of innovation. They encourage their teams to think outside the box and are not afraid to take risks. Leaders like Jeff Bezos of Amazon created a culture where experimentation is valued, leading to groundbreaking innovations like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alexa. Great leaders understand that innovation drives long-term success.

They are great communicators – Great leaders are excellent communicators. They understand the importance of clear, consistent, and transparent communication. Leaders like Sheryl Sandberg of Meta have shown how effective communication can align teams and drive organizational success. Whether in crisis or calm, great leaders keep everyone informed and on the same page.

They exhibit resilience – Great leaders display resilience in the face of adversity. They bounce back from failures and setbacks, using them as opportunities for growth. Leaders like Nelson Mandela demonstrated resilience by enduring years of imprisonment while maintaining hope and eventually leading a nation to freedom. Resilience allows leaders to continue pushing forward despite obstacles.

They embrace diversity – Great leaders recognize the power of diversity and inclusion. They build teams with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, knowing that diversity fosters innovation and creativity. Leaders like Mary Barra of General Motors have made diversity a priority, understanding that it strengthens the organization and helps it compete in a global marketplace.

They are decisive – Great leaders make decisions confidently, even under pressure. They gather the necessary information, weigh the options, and then take action. Leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany have shown that decisive leadership is crucial, especially in times of crisis. Decisiveness helps organizations move forward and avoid stagnation.

They build trust – Great leaders are trustworthy and work hard to earn the trust of their teams. They do what they say they will do, leading with integrity and consistency. Leaders like Howard Schultz of Starbucks have built a culture of trust within their organizations, creating environments where employees feel valued and respected. Trust is the foundation of successful leadership.

They practice gratitude – Great leaders express gratitude regularly, recognizing and appreciating the contributions of their team members. Leaders like Richard Branson of Virgin Group have cultivated a culture of gratitude, boosting morale and creating a positive work environment. Practicing gratitude helps leaders stay humble and connected to their teams.

Great leadership is not an accident; it is the result of deliberate actions and consistent development. These 20 traits embody the essence of outstanding leadership, allowing leaders to inspire, innovate, and guide their organizations through both calm and crisis. While some may be born with innate leadership qualities, the best leaders continuously work to hone their skills and refine their approach. Leadership, at its core, is about making a positive difference, and those who embody these traits are well-positioned to leave a lasting impact on their teams, their organizations, and the world.

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.