Personal integrity
The Center for Creative Leadership cites primarily personal integrity, firmly established values, predictability of behaviour and consistent opinions as key traits of a successful leader.
Willingness to keep learning
A good manager must be willing and able not only to keep learning and studying so they keep track of developments and the newest trends, but also capable of passing on this love for learning to their subordinates.
Empathy
A successful boss is capable of having individual, personal relations with their employees, which makes empathy a key trait as well.
Communication skills
Communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, plus a certain charisma, are must-haves of any successful leader.
Natural authority
A good boss must be able to gain naturally the respect of their employees. Fortunately, this is a trait that can be learned, so one does not necessarily need to be born with it.
Self-reflection
Self-criticism and self-reflection are necessary traits for anyone who wants to keep developing and wishes to inspire and lead others.
Lack of perfectionism
Effective leadership sometimes means setting aside your own ego and accepting a compromise. This is why someone who is a perfectionist and always wants to have things their own way may not be a good leader.
Being highly organised
When delegating work, managing people and managing projects, the manager must of course be very well organised. Otherwise, the integrity of the whole team will collapse like a house of cards.
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