Mike Krzyzewski once said: Leaders should be reliable without being predictable. They should be consistent without being anticipated. Coach Krzyzewski, the longtime Duke basketball coach, knows a few things about building good leaders to increase influence, don’t you think? Wonder what would be the leadership qualities on his list to increase the leadership personal accountability? Certainly reliability and consistency.
Check out our thoughts on team leverage
We believe it could be a long list. If you asked the top 10 business leaders for their top 5-10 good leadership qualities, there may be 20-30 unique answers. We will share our top 8 qualities that we use in our leadership personal accountability workshops. And why we believe they belong on the list.
Related: Building Collaboration and Sharing Skills in your Staff
Let’s get started, shall we?
Humble
Our number one leadership quality hot button? Ego. We have a hard time with big ego leaders. That is why the top quality on our list to increase influence is being humble. Above all. Lead quietly but confidently, share credit, and find ways to serve others. Be approachable and drive out fear by allowing people to contribute, experiment, and develop their strengths.
Leadership personal accountability and collaboration
Collaborative leaders allow people to share responsibility and combine the knowledge, creativity, and experience of others. They are able to produce synergistic, as well as, creative win-win solutions.
Increase influence with passion
Leaders with conviction possess a passionate determination to achieve team plans and goals. Their intense drive, focus, and persistence create the ability to succeed at everything they set their minds to.
Courage
Courageous leaders have a proactive relationship with the environment surrounding them. They act in anticipation and avoid reactive behavior whenever possible. They seek out information and stay informed of potential risks. Nonetheless, they are willing to face challenges head-on.
Accountable
Leaders who are accountable for their decisions, behaviors, and actions take ownership of the choices they make. They don’t dodge responsibility when the results are not good.
Leadership personal accountability … trustworthy
Trustworthy leaders are consistent with their words and actions. Trust is built over time. It is developed by actively listening, acting as a resource, empowering others, being responsive, and recognizing accomplishments. Even the small successes.
Aligned
Aligned leaders always take an interest in anything that affects the productivity and welfare of the team. It means moving beyond your own personal agenda and fully supporting the implementation of the team’s agenda.
Communication
Leaders who communicate most effectively with others use their skill to gain a better understanding of those around them. This builds trust, allows them to better align goals and actions, plan and execute strategies, and ultimately improve their odds of success.
Great employees are the most important discriminator in the success of any business. As leaders, we need to ensure that we are creating an environment where employees feel valued and know they are making a contribution to the business.
Our leadership qualities play a critical role in this regard.
What about your abilities to increase influence of your leadership? Shape the future? What key experiences can you share with this community?
Need some help in capturing more improvements for your staff’s leadership, teamwork and collaboration? Creative ideas in running or facilitating a team or leadership workshop?
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Call Mike at 607-725-8240.
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Mike Schoultz is the founder of Digital Spark Marketing, a digital marketing and customer service agency. With 40 years of business experience, he blogs on topics that relate to improving the performance of your business. Find them on G+, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Digital Spark Marketing will stretch your thinking and your ability to adapt to change. We also provide some fun and inspiration along the way. Call us for a free quote today. You will be amazed how reasonable we will be.
More leadership material from Digital Spark Marketing’s Library:
Leadership Characteristics that Improve Influence
10 Leadership Competencies You Should Not Live Without
How to Create the Best Leadership Accountability
The Zen of Abraham Lincolns Leadersip Lessons
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