10 Keys to Stand out 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, getting people to do things they normally wouldn't have done without the leader's intervention. For me, leadership is about three things: dreaming big with a compelling vision, the ability to inspire others, and leading by example. I have expanded each letter of the word leadership to identify the key requirements for becoming a great leader. Here are the 10 keys that all outstanding leaders use to stand out and lead people to work towards 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, they feel the leader is part of the team and is willing to take into account the issues at hand. Leaders understand that for a team to perform, they have to feel good about themselves. The ability to be heard is one of the core requirements for a human, and a leader who listens can truly become empathetic and win the trust of their team. So, all of us leaders have to see what our speaking-to-listening ratio is and adjust to ensure parity.

Effective listening goes beyond simply hearing words; it involves understanding the underlying emotions, concerns, and ideas of team members. By actively listening, leaders can identify potential roadblocks, foster a sense of psychological safety, and encourage open communication. This deep understanding allows leaders to make more informed decisions and create solutions that resonate with their team, leading to increased buy-in and a stronger sense of shared purpose.

They have high energy

Great leaders are highly energetic. Sometimes a leader makes you think how they get all this stuff done. They are role models and remember that they are on display. Most leaders take care of themselves really well by eating well, sleeping adequately, and exercising consistently. High energy ensures that leaders can sustain their concentration over a long period of time. Leaders know that they are on show and need to be cheerful throughout. Daniel Amen, the expert on the brain, says the brain is the CEO of your decision-making ability. So avoid sugar, exercise consistently, read broadly, learn something new every day, and sleep adequately. If we do all this, our energy will be high, and we have a better chance of hitting our goals.

Beyond personal well-being, a leader's high energy is contagious. It sets the tone for the entire team, instilling a sense of drive and enthusiasm. When leaders radiate vitality, it motivates team members to match that energy, fostering a dynamic and productive work environment. This sustained vigor allows leaders to tackle challenges with resilience and maintain a positive outlook even in demanding situations, inspiring their team to push through difficulties and achieve collective success.

They display a great attitude

Great leaders have a generally positive outlook on life and radiate that optimism to the people they meet. You can’t imagine a well-rounded leader who does not have a great attitude. Leaders are quick to praise others when something good happens, and they take personal responsibility when things go wrong. Leaders also ensure everyone in the team is aware of what is going on, and the attitude of the leader does rub off on the team. In terms of crisis like the one we are currently experiencing, it is the leader's attitude that can help stand out in a sea of negativity. Leaders have a growth mindset that Carol Dweck speaks about, and they don't believe their potential is fixed.

A positive attitude in leadership transcends mere optimism; it's a deliberate choice to approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset. This resilience in the face of adversity not only calms anxieties within the team but also encourages innovative thinking. By consistently demonstrating a growth mindset, leaders empower their team members to view setbacks as learning opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and unwavering determination to overcome obstacles.

They have a high level of desire

Great leaders have an above-average desire to be successful. In other words, they have a vision that transcends fears, and they dream of things that normal folks would not. Leadership is an enormous responsibility and requires a lot of desire to get the job done. To set the vision, a leader needs to think big and have a burning desire to succeed both as an individual as well as an organization. So, clearly define your leadership mission and where you want your life to be in the next 5 years. At the same time, you can define the vision for your team and organization. Visualize how you would behave at your best, and that will be your vision.

This profound desire fuels a leader's unwavering commitment to their goals, pushing them to overcome challenges and inspire their team to do the same. It's a deep-seated passion that transforms aspirations into actionable strategies, translating grand visions into tangible realities. This fervent drive is crucial for navigating uncertainty and instilling confidence in others, creating a collective momentum that propels the entire organization toward its ambitious objectives.

They are committed to excellence

Great leaders are committed to excellence in everything they do. They ensure they are up-to-date on everything in their industry. They are on the cutting edge of the learning revolution. Leaders ensure that they sign all their work with excellence. They also understand that excellence is a journey and not a destination.

This commitment extends to continuous self-improvement and a relentless pursuit of mastery in their field. Great leaders not only strive for personal excellence but also cultivate an environment where every team member is inspired to deliver their best work. By setting high standards and consistently pushing boundaries, they elevate the entire organization's performance, ensuring that every output reflects a dedication to superior quality and innovation.

They are highly result oriented

Great leaders are extremely result-oriented. It is one thing to set an audacious vision, but it is a whole another ball game to deliver on the vision. This is what separates the great leaders from others. The true leaders understand that ultimately they are measured by their results and not activity. They have to be 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. This customer obsession will ultimately lead to better results.

Their focus on tangible outcomes ensures that every effort is aligned with strategic objectives, preventing wasted resources and unproductive endeavors. This results-driven mindset also involves a keen ability to define clear metrics, track progress meticulously, and make data-informed adjustments when necessary. By prioritizing measurable achievements, leaders not only demonstrate accountability but also cultivate a high-performance culture where success is consistently defined and celebrated.

They are committed to the success of the enterprise

Great leaders are more committed to the success of the enterprise than going for individual success. They sacrifice themselves to a larger cause, and they ensure that their actions are in alignment with the overall mission and vision of the organization. Success of the organization is the true crown on a great leader. This is exactly the portrait of the Level 5 leader described by Jim Collins in Good to Great. So, commit to a cause larger than yourself to really see how far you can go as a leader. Some leaders who have done this are Darwin Smith, Wendy Kopp, Dwight Eisenhower, and David Maxwell.

This selfless dedication fosters a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, where individual aspirations are harmonized with collective goals. By prioritizing the organization's prosperity above personal gain, leaders build trust and loyalty within their teams, inspiring others to also contribute their best for the greater good. This commitment transforms the workplace into a cohesive unit, all striving toward a common, impactful objective.

They are very honest

Great leaders are totally honest. They do not hide when failures happen. They take tough decisions when it is demanded. They don’t worry about changing personnel if the situation calls for it. In multiple surveys, it has been well established that great leaders are all honest. This is also described as one of the key characteristics desired in a leader in the book "The Leadership Challenge."

Honesty in leadership builds an unbreakable foundation of trust, which is vital for any thriving team or organization. When leaders are transparent about both successes and failures, it cultivates an environment of psychological safety where team members feel comfortable taking risks and admitting mistakes without fear of retribution. This openness not only strengthens relationships but also fosters a culture of integrity, ensuring that decisions are made based on truth and not on a desire to save face.

They are totally inspiring

Great leaders are truly inspiring. Leaders inspire others into action. Leaders who inspire others will ensure that people who work with them will always give their best and deliver on their promises. Leaders are self-inspired, and without internal motivation, they cannot inspire others. Inspiration is a vital requirement for a true leader to fulfill.

This inspiration stems from a leader's ability to articulate a compelling vision, infuse it with passion, and empower their team to believe in its attainment. They ignite a spark within individuals, transforming tasks into meaningful contributions and challenges into opportunities for growth. By fostering a sense of purpose and shared excitement, inspiring leaders cultivate a highly engaged workforce that is motivated not just by external incentives but by an intrinsic desire to achieve something remarkable.

They persevere in spite of great setbacks

Great leaders persevere when things go wrong, as they inevitably will. The only thing that is constant in a leader’s life is the crisis. There will always be a crisis when something big is to be achieved. This is the true test of a leader, and this is the time they show their class by persevering beyond the point where normal people would give up. True leaders never give up on their ultimate vision and march to the drumbeat of their own conscience even when everything around them tells them to give up.

This unyielding determination serves as a powerful beacon for their teams during times of uncertainty and adversity. When faced with formidable challenges, great leaders not only demonstrate resilience but also strategically adapt their approaches, learning from setbacks and emerging stronger. Their unwavering commitment to the ultimate vision, even when met with repeated obstacles, inspires a similar tenacity in their followers, fostering a culture where challenges are met with courage and unwavering resolve.

There you have it, the 10 qualities of great leaders. Great leaders are of course born, but they are truly made by developing themselves on a continuous basis without losing sight of the vision they have set for themselves.

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