The Most Important Behaviors of a Leader
Table of contents
- Emotional Intelligence
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Patience
- Courage
- Reliability
In his essay “ self -Reliance” in 1841, Ralph Waldo Emerson echoed the wisdom of the Ancient Greeks: that character is destiny. And the character of leaders will eventually overshadow them and come to define what they stood for:
“ Every true man is a cause, a country, and
age; requires infinite spaces and numbers and time fully to accomplish his
design; and posterity seems to follow his
steps as a train of clients. Man Caesar is born, and for ages after we have a
Roman Empire. Christ is born, and millions of minds so grow and cleave to his genius, that he is confounded
with virtue and the possibility of
Man. An institution is the lengthened shadow of
one man; as Monachism, of the Hermit Antony;
The Reformation, of Luther; Quakerism, of Fox;
Methodism, of Wesley; Abolition of Clarkson.
Scipio, Milton called “the height of Rome”; and all history
resolves itself very easily into the biography of few stout and earnest
persons.”
What
are some virtues that make up the character of a leader?
There
are loads of them (enough for a book), But I’ll outline just six of them, to
match the six aspects of good communication I shared.
1) Emotional Intelligence
A good leader should have a high level of emotional intelligence, which means they are aware of and can manage their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others (i.e., empathy)
This
can help them to build strong relationships with your team, and create
a workplace
that thrives on collaboration and a positive attitude.
2) Integrity
A good leader should be honest and transparent, and be willing to take
responsibility for their actions and decisions.
When
leaders demonstrate integrity, they become respected and trusted
Within
the team, and create a positive and accountable work culture.
3) Honesty
One of the most difficult duties of any leader is, to be honest with their people when facing a challenge. But you can’t lead by ignoring reality. Even when the reality is more insurmountable than you think.
In fact,
that’s especially when it’s time to step up, trust your people, and creates a
path forward by committing to working together.
4) Patience
In an age when crises loom at every moment and stress is threatening to
Creep up on us like Jack the Ripper, patience is indeed a virtue—armor against emotionally—driven reactions, both from without and within.
Have
you found yourself warming up to someone impatient and quick to fly off
the handle? Likely not. A leader who is patient is a leader who is respected.
5) Courage
Leadership
can be lonely. Decisiveness (another key leadership behavior )
Requires
the courage of your conviction. As does authenticity, which is related to
sincerity in the Wooden Pyramid below. The courage to be your authentic self
and to bear responsibility for your decisions is something that every leader
needs to possess.
6) Reliability
When
you show up consistently and repeatedly over time when you meet
Your obligations, you’re reliable. And reliability builds trust.
Trust
is the basis of all thriving relationships; lack of it is the decay that rots
them away.
