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Characteristics of highly effective leaders in 2012
1st February 2012
Optimism and future-mindedness
Leaders needs to be creating an empowering vision for the future as well as seeing today's problems as merely challenges, that when solved, open the way for a more exciting future with greater possibilities.
Trust, honesty and authenticity
The leader is not expected to have all the answers. Organisation success is not a predictable process, there are many variables that impact results.
Perseverance
A leader that focuses on quality and is relentless in their pursuit, not for financial gain, but because they have personal satisfaction from doing something to the highest standard. They build teams that are similarly driven.
Curiosity, learning and wisdom
The leader's job is not to be a subject specialist, but to be a high-level generalist. To do this effectively a leader must be open to, and actively seeking out, new experiences, both of a work and non-work nature.
Empathy or emotional/social intelligence
A leader needs to be able to ‘stand in the shoes of another' to understand their thoughts, feelings and actions. This does not necessarily mean agreeing with those thoughts, feelings and actions but instead accepting them as valid expressions of the other person's individuality. Effective leaders know that when a person feels validated and understood they are much more open to the leader's feedback and coaching and hence, much more likely to achieve.
Ian Chitty, Director
Personnel Resources Ltd