Top 10 Leadership Qualities

Possessing leadership traits is itself a quality that is seldom bestowed in an individual. However, leadership qualities can be acquired by experience and following the path tread by some great leaders in history. A leader has certain abilities and attributes that distinguish him from the masses.

A person who listens to the grievances of his subordinates with patience, and acts rightfully, is capable of becoming a good leader. One who is confident enough to put forth his views and can convince people to follow him willingly is a leader. A good leader is stubborn and magnanimous at the same time.

The different qualities of leadership need to be understood, inculcated, and practiced, in order to etch a reputation in the good books of an organization and in the minds of people.

Being assertive should not be confused as stubborn and aggressive. Assertiveness is required to present your views clearly in front of others to avoid ambiguity and misunderstandings. On the flip side, you should be generous enough to consider the expectations of your followers from you.

The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behavior affect the rights and well-being of others.
― Sharon Anthony

Pessimism has no place in the head of a good leader. Leadership qualities and skills can be garnered when you have an optimistic approach towards everything. Pessimism breeds low self-confidence and low self-esteem, making you vulnerable to conflicts and disputes with your underlings and colleagues.

Always the eternal optimist, President Reagan instilled confidence and optimism at a time when both were in short supply in our country.
― Jim Ramstad

You need to act wisely in the present and understand how things are going in the organization and set strategies accordingly.

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
― John F. Kennedy

Leadership is not about being obstinate, adamant and self seeking. Among the top 10 qualities, this is one of the most important attributes through which respect and humility can be earned.

You must appreciate your subordinates when they have achieved something and encourage them in all possible ways. Your ego should not hold you back from interacting courteously with your followers.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Imbecile character, inability to take right decisions, confused attitude and dependency negate the growth process of an individual. You must be capable of taking right decisions without hesitation and possess good judgmental power.

One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.
― Arnold H. Glasgow

In this regard you must be a good team worker and should be open to suggestions from your teammates. Your creative skills will be appreciated only when you praise the work of others.

Don't let anything stop you. There will be times when you'll be disappointed, but you can't stop. Make yourself the very best that you can make of what you are. The very best.
― Sadie T. Alexander

You should motivate and encourage your employees in every possible ways. People should approach you to get mental boost to bring out the best in them. In view of this, you can conduct regular interactive sessions with your employees. Your leadership traits should set an example for creating more leaders in the future.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
― John C. Maxwell

Your message should be conveyed throughout the organization and you must be assured that people are willing to accept without grudges. This way chaos and pandemonium is also avoided.

The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.
― Woodrow Wilson

You have to keep your senses open to perceive your surroundings. Instead of being a self seeker, you should look at the root level of any cause. You must know the happenings of every layer of society and keep yourself abreast of the current affairs. You can grow as an individual when you are courageous enough to accept and see things in a broader aspect.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
― Martin Luther King, Jr.

You can acquire a pleasing personality through your actions and words even though if you are not endowed with them. You presence should inspire awe among others present along with you. And this is exactly what we call, a charismatic persona! Amongst the good leadership qualities, possessing a good sense of humor is also important.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
― John Quincy Adams

Apart from all these, you should be a good individual, and courageous enough to face any kind of situation. Here is a quote by Nelson Mandela. It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.