15 Characteristics of Great Leaders

My definition of 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮. It's not a role or a title but a behavior that inspires others to be a part of your actions.

What’s your definition of leadership? What characteristics of great leaders have you seen or experienced that impressed you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I believe the following 15 characteristics of great leaders are critical to their success.

1. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: the ability to see and plan for the future, setting a compelling vision for the organization.

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

Steve Jobs transformed Apple by envisioning user-friendly technology like the iPhone when cellular phones were big and chunky with limited functionality. We now have a powerful computer in our hands.

How do you create a vision? You start with ...

• Understanding the current environment & future trends

• Setting ambitious but achievable goals

• Communicating a compelling narrative, especially the “why” - I often see leaders communicating the what; sharing the why is how you engage your followers' hearts and minds

2. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲: the capacity to think and plan strategically, making decisions that align with the organization's long-term goals, anticipating industry trends, and proactively positioning the business for future success.

"Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point." ~Henry Mintzberg

Reed Hastings, the co-founder and CEO of Netflix, strategically diversified product offerings to adapt to market changes by moving the company from renting physical DVDs by mail to streaming and original content production.

3. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲: Conveying information clearly and concisely, ensuring that the intended message is understood.

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." ~George Bernard Shaw

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, is known for his crisp and clear messaging. Whether communicating with employees, investors, or the public, he uses language that is easy to understand while conveying depth and significance.

4. 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: The ability to adjust and thrive in changing environments, guiding the team through unforeseen challenges.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." ~Charles Darwin

Jeff Bezos, the founder and former CEO of Amazon, embraced innovation and experimentation, moving the company from an e-commerce site selling just books to a diversified tech giant.

5. 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 & have 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞: The quality of making timely and firm decisions, even in situations of uncertainty, and the ability to confront challenges and address tough issues head-on.

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." ~Winston Churchill

Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, who diversified the Pepsi portfolio to offer healthier options, implemented sustainability measures, including water conservation, while navigating economic challenges and entering new markets.

6. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 and 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 their teams: Delegating authority and responsibilities to team members, fostering a sense of ownership and autonomy while guiding team members to help them reach their full potential.

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." ~Ronald Reagan

Oprah Winfrey, who developed media platforms for diverse voices, sponsors a book club and a Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa and encourages personal growth and education.

7. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 and 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞: Working cooperatively with others to achieve common goals, fosters a sense of teamwork. Expressing appreciation for the efforts of team members fosters a positive work environment.

"None of us is as smart as all of us." — Ken Blanchard

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and a prominent philanthropist, collaborates through his philanthropic partnerships and global health and education initiatives, often expresses gratitude for his opportunities, and acknowledges the importance of giving back in public speeches.

8. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain motivation during challenging times.

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." ~Nelson Mandela

Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, struggled to build a coffee culture in the US like he'd experienced in Italy and to obtain financing. He left the company and returned eight years later to revive the company's fortune. His resilience in the face of financial hardships, business challenges, and the need to adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape enabled him to navigate obstacles, learn from failures, and lead Starbucks through various transformations.

9. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬: The capability to introduce new and creative solutions, pushing the organization to stand out, which can sometimes mean mediating conflicts within the team (especially when teammates have passionate perspectives) and finding mutually beneficial solutions.

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." ~Albert Einstein

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors (GM), invested in future technologies such as electric and autonomous car development, connected car technologies, and sustainable initiatives. She also managed the ignition switch crisis early in her tenure and supply chain challenges during COVID-19.

10. have 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 and are held 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Adhering to a strong moral and ethical code and maintaining honesty and transparency, including taking responsibility for one's actions, including successes and failures.

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." ~Peter Drucker

Warren Buffett, the Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, takes a long-term investment approach, has a solid ethical code, and takes full responsibility for his investment decisions, whether they succeed or fail. His annual letters to shareholders often include reflections on investment performance, providing insights into his decision-making process and demonstrating accountability.

11. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 & are 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬-𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝: Motivating and energizing others through passion and commitment to a shared mission includes setting clear goals and driving the team to achieve measurable results.

"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, fosters a positive and inclusive company culture at Virgin. His leadership encourages a sense of adventure, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the company's goals, creating an environment where employees feel inspired and motivated.

12. Are 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 and 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧-𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝: Having a modest view of one's importance, acknowledging mistakes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to embrace new ideas and perspectives from team members and external sources.

"It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure." ~Bill Gates

Ginni Rometty, the former Chairwoman, President, and CEO of IBM, has advocated for diversity and inclusion, recognizing the value of different perspectives. She stressed the importance of continuous learning and adapting to change. She encourages a culture of ongoing education within IBM, recognizing that technology and business landscapes are constantly evolving.

13. Strong in 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: They are willing to take calculated risks and explore new opportunities for growth while effectively leading your team through a crisis while maintaining composure and strategic thinking.

"A good leader's job is to be the quietest voice in the room. If you have a culture where the boss is the smartest guy in the room, you're in trouble. The people closest to the problem are usually the ones who have the solution. Your job is to listen very carefully and be the arbitrator or integrator of all these voices." ~Bob Dudley, former CEO of BP, who took over during the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Bob Dudley restored confidence among stakeholders, including shareholders, regulators, and the public. He communicated transparently about the lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon incident and BP's steps to prevent similar incidents. I saw Bob speak about crisis management at a Thunderbird Alumni event in 2011.

14. 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝: They prioritize and meet customers' needs, increasing loyalty and repeat business.

"The customer's perception is your reality." ~ Kate Zabriskie

Mark Benioff, the co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, has been a vocal advocate for placing customers at the center of business operations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and prioritizing customer needs to drive business success. Benioff actively listens to customer feedback and incorporates it into its strategy. This client-centric approach ensures that Salesforce's products and services evolve based on its user base's changing needs and preferences.

15. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞: Maintaining a consistent leadership style and approach over time while adjusting it based on the team's needs and the evolving business environment.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." ~Simon Sinek

Tim Cook, the current CEO of Apple Inc., has maintained a commitment to Apple's core values, including a focus on design, innovation, and user experience, while also showcasing a balance between consistency in upholding core values and adaptability in responding to changes in the business environment, technology landscape, and societal expectations.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩? What characteristics of great leaders have you seen or experienced that impressed you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.