10 Qualities of a Good Leader

Per Daniel Goleman in Harvard Business Review, “The most effective leaders are all alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence. It’s not that IQ and technical skills are irrelevant. They do matter, but…they are the entry-level requirements for executive positions.” 

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to be in tune with your own emotions as well as those of others. Why is this important to leadership? Think back to the worst leader you’ve ever had. Why were they your worst and what characteristics did they display? Common answers to this question are: they blamed others, made offensive remarks, denied personal responsibility, and/or were manipulative; all signs of a leader with low EI. Now, think back to the best leader you’ve had…the one that enabled your best work and inspired your team to achieve above what you thought was possible. What characteristics did they exhibit? Chances are good that they showed many signs of high emotional intelligence, such as empathy, authenticity, motivation and strong listening skills. 

How can you tell if someone is a good leader?

How can you tell if someone is a good leader?  Look for indicators of high emotional intelligence. Here are 10 qualities to look for:

1. They are trusted and respected by colleagues.
2. They are self-aware and can regulate their own emotions.
3. They actively listen and seek to understand other’s viewpoints. 
4. They demonstrate genuine care for team members.
5. They are flexible, open to change and resilient.  
6. They intentionally foster psychological safety.
7. They care about their employees’ growth.
8. They are willing to give candid, clear feedback. 
9. They share their vision and remove roadblocks that employees can’t remove on their own.
10. They maintain a positive attitude and inspire their team to do the same

If you are a leader, or want to be a leader, and struggle with some of these things, please don’t worry. Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be learned and cultivated with intention and effort. Please reach out to Elite High Performance for support.  We offer several programs to help leaders build their EI, including our flagship Leadership Launchpad Program.

Ready to become a leader who inspires? Book your free leadership consultation today and unlock your full potential!

Jen Patel | High-Performance & Leadership Coach