It has been my experience, that the most important quality of a leader is their set of ethics, heck it is the most important quality outright for anyone I am looking at engaging with. Once that is in check, I have found everything else (most of the time) to fall into place. Empathy, is also key from all the successful leaders that I have had the pleasure of meeting or working with. Those are the ones that genuinely want to help and support you to become a better version of yourself.
I wrote the above a few days back and never got back to finishing it, but the thought of what makes a great leader has been consuming me as of late for one simple reason. I realized I have developed a low tolerance for those claiming to be leaders with a massive ego stuck up their ass and a negative EQ. Maybe I am just getting old.
Here is what I don't agree with.
- Having the authority to tell others or think you can tell others what to do doesn't make you a leader.
- Expecting shit to get done because you are instilling fear in your team won't last and won't get shit done.
- Saying that the way you do things is the only way because you have a C in your title or you have an MBA from a top school only shows that you didn't learn anything. Would like to meet everyone that has ever hired you?
- Using a divide and conquer tactic with your team makes you a lousy leader.
- Not listing to your teammates, thinking you have all the answers, not caring genuinely about their well being, focusing on how you can screw those around you vs supporting them makes you a shitty person, and far from being any form of leader in my books.
Share your comments or experience below.