Leadership is not about how good we are but how good we are in recognising and realising others.
Here are some characteristics of leaders.
Humility: People can mistake humility for weakness and avoid it so as not to lose perceived power.
However, humility can actually increase one's influence. As Dale Carnegie wrote, "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
Genuinely caring for and recognising the talents of others makes real leaders. Humility always precedes respect. (Leaders ability to say sorry)
Intellectual Curiosity
Leaders with intellectual curiosity more willingly prioritise meeting new people, listening to ideas, and relishing new experiences. Instead of asking questions, leaders as they mature usually answer them. What is your Ask-to-Answer Ratio? The ratio is likely higher during the early trajectory of leadership growth and lower during the crescent of it. Make time to be curious! Work it into you calendar and don't cancel. Set goals to meet new people and try new things.
Optimism
An optimistic disposition has a great effect. People are captivated by positive attitude. Good leaders can hold back their gut-criticism (even if based on experience) and first try to process and contemplate all the reasons why a new idea might work better or the potential in a talent before the weaknesses.
Vulnerability
Power, strength, and confidence are attributes that leaders are expected to project to their people. But vulnerability humanises leaders, creating a "pull" of people towards you. People who ask for help often find others rallying behind them, fuelled by a feeling of being needed and collectively working towards success. Again it is a difficult but essential balance to achieve — to be confident with a willingness to take risks and embrace failure.
Authenticity
Leaders, like politicians, are all too often over-positioned and under-authenticated.
Generosity
Power brings with it innumerable requests for favors. So it makes sense for successful leaders to be discriminating. But never lose the spirit of generosity; instead, allocate it appropriately. Remaining a mentor to others, connecting with community activities, simply saying more "thank-you's," and doing more things without over-thinking the potential "value-exchange".
Openness
Openness is about welcoming things that might not fit a traditional mould. Be willing to receive intelligence and wisdom from all sources in an effort to further your view of the world.
