50 characteristics of great leader

RULES FOR BEINGA

GREAT LEADER

⊡ Listen to your team⊡ Rule one. Always listen to what your team has to

say, even if you don’t like it.

1

Make your expectations and feelings clear, in the appropriate medium as often

as possible.

Communicate as efficiently as possible

2

Sometimes saying nothing is better than saying just anything.

3

Talk less

Be an exampleBe the type of person you want your team members to

be.

4

If you aren’t passionate about your business, you’re in the wrong business.

Be passionate

5

Be consistent in your behaviours so your team knows what to expect from you.

6

Be consistent

Make firm decisionsDon’t leave things undecided for long, and don’t waver

about a decision once you’ve made it.

7

Find people you can look up to and learn from, and follow them closely.

Identify mentors and role models

8

If you trust your team to do good work, don’t interfere unless absolutely necessary.

9

Interfere only when necessary

Know your limitsDon’t extend yourself beyond your means.

10

If you’re good at resolving disputes, step in and resolve them as often as possible.

Know your strengths

11

If there’s something you’re not good at, admit it, and work on it.

12

Know your weaknesses

Don’t make excusesIf you make a mistake, take ownership of it and don’t

pass the blame to someone or something else.

13

You can’t control or predict everything.

Accept the unforeseen

14

Work only with people you can count on and trust.

15

Choose your partners carefully

Do goodCommit yourself to being a good person and giving

back to the community when possible.

16

Take every opportunity to expand your network and expose yourself to new

experiences and perspectives.

Meet new people all the time

17

Don’t be a robot -- let yourself feel.

18

Stay in touch with your emotions

Temper your reactionsHold back your reactions until you have a moment to

clarify your internal thoughts and feelings.

19

Take the time to have fun with your team.

Have fun

20

Before making a decision, know the pros and cons -- do your homework.

21

Research everything

Think everything throughNever exclusively trust your instincts or first reactions.

22

Hire only those you can trust to get the job done (and to get along with others, as

well).

Choose your team carefully

23

Your team is everything. Give them whatever they need to succeed.

24

Prioritize your team

Be humbleDon’t get big-headed about your wealth, influence or

position as a leader.

25

Everyone makes them.Forgive mistakes

26

Don’t beat yourself up too much over anything. Move on.

27

Forgive yourself

Be rationalMake decisions logically.

28

Listen to dissenting opinions, and be fair.

Be reasonable

29

There’s no such thing as “not having time” for what’s really important in your life. Make the time.

30

Make time for what’s important

Constantly learnRead as much as you can, and take classes whenever

you have the opportunity.

31

Work on improving your approaches, your skills and your processes constantly.

Improve everything

32

Don’t throw in the towel when a little extra persistence could put you over the edge.

33

Never give up

Transform your methods when necessaryIf something isn’t working, change your approach.

34

If you’re fighting a losing battle, retreat and start again somewhere else (or in a

new way).

Cut your losses when necessary

35

Try not to make the same mistakes twice.

36

Learn from your mistakes

Ground everything with dataBack up all your decisions, opinions and thoughts with

hard, objective facts and evidence.

37

Stress is real and can interfere with your ability to lead. If it starts setting in at abnormal levels, take action to reduce or

relieve it.

Don’t ignore signs of stress

38

Let your team know what they’re doing well and what needs further improvement.

39

Give feedback

Trust, but verifyTrust your team to get things done, but always follow

up to make sure the work is completed.

40

Let people know they can trust you, and open your door to anybody who needs it.

Be approachable

41

Don’t play favorites; it breeds resentment and makes you appear immature as a leader.

42

Treat everyone equally

Don’t pursue close personal relationships with the team

Be on friendly terms, but don’t try to be best friends with everybody. You’re a leader, first and foremost.

43

Use team-building exercises or other excuses to get your team members talking with one other and having fun together.

Get the team together

44

If someone helps you, make it your responsibility to pay back the favor -- even if it’s years later.

45

Return favors

Don’t burn bridgesNever cut a contact completely out of your life.

46

If team members leave or change roles, stay in contact with them.

Stay in touch

47

Your personal life is necessary to retain your own mental health. Never sacrifice it for the sake of leadership or professional

responsibilities.

48

Don’t sacrifice your personal life

Enjoy leadershipTry not to stress too much about being a leader.

Instead, enjoy all the benefits it offers.

49

Even with these 50 rules! Because nobody knows everything, and no one piece of advice applies to all situations.

Take advice with a grain of salt

50

Follow these rules, trust your instincts and continually strive for self-improvement.

Eventually, through your experiences and your efforts, you’ll become the type of leader most

people only aspire to be.