Core qualities of leadership

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THERE are many types of leaders in the corporate world – some of them have a positive influence while others bring about a negative impact. What contributes to effective and constructive leadership and how can leaders ensure they make a positive contribution in the domain that they are leading and serving? This week we will discuss some desirable core qualities of good leadership.

Integrity is said to be the foundation of leadership. Leaders must be trustworthy, honest and credible at all times. Their word can be counted on and they do not make empty promises. They do not twist the facts for personal advantage or to cover up their wrongs. Leaders with integrity stand up for what is right and ensure that justice is upheld all the time. Without integrity, leadership would be deemed hollow.

Responsibility is an essential quality of leaders. Responsibility means the acceptance of all duties and ensuring of success for the individual as well as for the team and organisation.

Accountable people will accept full responsibility for ensuring every task works. They would not draw lines or run away from work, no matter how tough the task may seem. Nor would they push their work to others. Instead, they would do everything to ensure that all the necessary work is done and they are willing to cross departmental boundaries to help when the need arises.

Such individuals would not wait for others to kick them into action but will take the initiative to get things done. They are not afraid to hold responsibility and they take organisational success as their personal responsibility.

Leaders focus on the benefits for everyone in the organisation and do not only look after what is good for themselves or their own teams. They know the importance of inter-dependencies among departments and will focus on the overall goal of the organisation.

The essential qualities of leaders are confidence and courage. Leaders are not afraid to take risks and are willing to try even though they might fail. They are willing to accept feedback and are not afraid to learn their shortfalls. Their confidence makes them embrace challenges and changes. They are willing to share credit with others and give others credit for they are well aware of their own value and worth.

Respect goes a long way to create a conducive working relationship with others. Respect means honouring others and acknowledging their value as human beings, regardless of their status or behaviour.

Good leaders focus on finding solutions and not putting the blame on others when there are failures or problems. They will take responsibility for their faults and even for their followers’ faults. They would not point fingers nor look for a scapegoat to shift blame away from themselves.

Mastering emotions and not letting them dictate their behaviour is an important quality for leaders to possess. Emotional leaders would turn the team and organisation upside down as they sway from one side to another depending on how they feel.

Leaders who master emotions well would not let their emotions get the better of them. They would speak calmly even when they are anxious or frustrated. They focus on the facts and not their view or feelings. They respond to the situation and not just react to the problems. They express their thoughts and feelings but do not lash out with negative feelings towards others.

Empathetic leaders show genuine concern for others. They are always ready to put themselves in others’ shoes to try to understand things from another’s point of view. They would take into consideration the background, concern and interests of others when they listen to them.

Leaders who are humble recognise that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and give allowance for others to make mistakes. They acknowledge their own weaknesses and limitations and are not afraid to share their failures with others. These individuals do not brag and will not tag people with negative labels.

If every leader practises these virtues, the organisation would have a more cohesive team of people working together to achieve goals. Even society would become a better place to live for all as everyone strives to be more trustworthy, responsible and respectful individuals.

Priscilla Hiu is a career guidance consultant of Gracia Management and a certified behavioural consultant of DISC Personality Profiling System, Institution of Motivation Living, USA and Extended DISC Personality Profiling System, Extended DISC Northgate.