8 Characteristics of a Great Leader in Any Situation

Throughout history, there have been hundreds of thousands of leaders—and there are likely millions today—serving in various government and labor capacities. What are some of the characteristics shared by good and effective leaders?

1. Integrity:

How can a leader expect others to follow them if they are not honest and do not follow a moral code? People have more regard for someone who does the walk as well as talks the talk, and they have a natural inclination to follow them.]

2. Self-assurance

A competent leader believes in their abilities to lead. Nobody will feel confidence following them if they are shy and fearful. A leader who speaks with assertiveness will find their orders properly carried out, but a leader who hems and haws will commonly expose themselves up to bargaining.

3. Dedication

If they want their team to follow them uphill, a good leader must be steadfast in their devotion to their aims. The team will rally to the cause when a leader demonstrates enthusiasm, drive, and a willingness to get their hands dirty.

4. Interaction

It's quite frustrating to work with someone who doesn't express themselves effectively. While miscommunication has literally cost battles and brought down empires, strong communication can assist a leader and their team in carrying out a mission effectively.

5. Responsibility

Nobody wants to work with someone who blames others and blames themselves. It's whining, juvenile, and almost sad to witness someone in power blaming others, especially when those others are the stereotypical "little people under them." People, on the other hand, value the humility that comes with a sense of accountability; they find it endearing and uniting.

6. Empathy

The best leaders not only command a team, but they also know their team. A leader who knows names, faces, and stories has a team that feels valued, which translates into success.

7. Self-determination

You might believe that people have an inherent desire to avoid work, but this is not totally accurate. People want to feel valuable, and they value a leader who can enable them to make the right decisions without micromanaging them.

8. Intelligence

You don't have to be the brightest crayon in the box in every subject, but if you're a leader, you better know what you're talking about—and if you don't, surround yourself with people who do.