We all have known some remarkable leaders who have shown what leadership and leadership qualities look like. Contrary to the belief that people are born leaders or people are born with certain leadership qualities, well, some do but the majority of these traits and qualities are developed as a result of hard work, focus, experience, passion, and vision. Best leaders may not be born with leadership skills. They become better when they seek opportunities and try to adapt themselves as needed.

Who is a Good Leader?

There is no set definition of a good leader. One leader may be very different from another. A good leader guides, inspires, influences, and takes people toward a common goal or vision. He/she earns the team's respect and ensures that everyone works cohesively to accomplish the goals.

As a ­­­­­­­­Life coach in USA and Canada, I have worked with individuals who are technically strong but lack the qualities of a good leader. They feel underconfident or get jittery when asked to lead a team or a project. It is a unique opportunity to develop their mindset or bring about a transformation in their thinking pattern to make them effective leaders. By identifying their strengths, working on any negativity, building emotional intelligence, and bringing positive affirmations, people can overcome fears, build self-assurance, and thrive in leadership roles.

11 Leadership Qualities of an Exceptional Leader

Good leaders guide us and make informed decisions to help us move forward. Over the years, studying the leadership styles and qualities of well-established leaders, certain traits seem to be essential and common. Also, certain titles and positions do not guarantee leadership, however, the impact and influence one has on those around him defines leadership.

  • Passion

One can easily say this is a core characteristic of leaders who have a real impact. Passion to achieve or an insatiable hunger or relentless drive to be, do, share, create, and serve more. They take their passion and work greater than anything else.

  • Vision

A great leader communicates a clear and compelling vision. They are clear of where they want to go and this drive captures the hearts, minds, and energies of people working with them. They make it compelling and challenging which energizes people around them to do more and more.

  • Clear Communication

Clear communication is the key to how people are influenced and what they understand. It is prudent to recognize what people around you think, want, fear, and desire most. In other words, it is important to know the language that will directly hit or touch or influence the people you wish to work with.

  • Strategy

Remarkable leaders are also strategic thinkers. They know where they are going and with how much arsenal. They will devise the right strategies along the way and map out the path that leads to their goal. They are quick to train, guide, and mentor people, empowering them to make their vision real and deliver their best.

  • Integrity

Real leaders lead by example. They walk their talk, creating credibility that others respect and follow. Acting with honesty, ethics, and transparency goes a long way in earning the respect and trust of fellow workers and followers.

  • Conviction

Real leaders bring conviction to the table. They become confident in themselves, their approach, belief, vision, and work. Gradually, this absolute conviction extends to their actions and also to the people around them. With conviction also comes accountability by which they uphold standards of excellence and take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

  • Adaptability

The best leaders succeed in life because they are both persistent and flexible. The key is staying committed to the outcome but flexible in the approach. If one strategy fails, they change their approach until they find one that succeeds.

  • Courage

Both fear and faith are an imagination of the future. The difference? Fear is just imagination undirected. Faith, on the other hand, is imagination directed for the greater good. Faith produces courage because courage is when you're afraid but you have faith to take action anyway.

  • Resilience

Exceptional leaders demonstrate resilience in the face of setbacks, learning from failures and persevering towards their goals. They understand that obstacles and lows will always be a part of the journey but they do not give up hope and bounce back stronger, instilling faith and positivity in people around them.

  • Empowerment

A strong leader has higher expectations for themselves and not from others. This fuels their path to success while inspiring others to also raise their standards. This feeling along with delegating responsibilities and providing resources empowers others.

  • Continuous Learning

Good leaders prove that they are lifelong learners. They find opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, and self-awareness to grow personally and professionally. They have varied interests and enhance their technical as well as managerial skills to lead by example.

Read More: How to Get Out of Your Head — Proven Techniques

Imagine a Mindset Coach in Canada who works with leaders to cultivate these very qualities. Through coaching, leaders can develop a growth mindset, fostering a belief that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This mindset encourages them to inspire others to achieve their best as well.  With a coach's guidance, leaders can also hone their vision-casting skills, uniting their team around a shared purpose and direction.