Leadership: Besides being intelligent, you have to have the right character

Recently I was diving deep into my fav topic which is Leadership and figured out some common combination of principles that make leaders more effective and help them be phenomenal.
Product Management

Vision
Why does this matter? Is it so important? Clearly-YES! Every team member wants to know the vision of what they are doing, but most importantly why they are doing.
To my mind, a compelling vision embedded with the right “why statement” inspires and motivates others to work towards a common goal. Today most of the leaders and even organizations fail to provide a clear “Why”.

Continuous learning
Great leaders are lifelong learners, you never stop growing or learning. The passion for self development can serve as a living example for team members or organizations to never be stuck at the same place and move forward.

Effective communication
It’s a vital leadership value. Vital! If one is not able to convey their ideas clearly, listen actively, and foster open and honest communication within their teams, then be ready for huge challenges.

Integrity
For me one of the main pillars in leadership is integrity. It involves honesty, transparency, and consistency in one’s actions and words. Leaders with integrity build trust, which is essential for effective leadership. I am pretty sure many of us experienced and felt this.

Empathy and servant leadership
Empathetic leaders understand and care about the emotions and well-being of their team members. They are sensitive to the needs and concerns of others and provide support when necessary. Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team members, placing the development of others at the forefront of their leadership approach. They are always “present” for their employees.

Respect
Respect for all individuals, regardless of their position or background, is a fundamental value in leadership. It involves active listening, valuing diverse perspectives, and treating others with dignity and courtesy.

… and I can list many more traits but throughout all these 7+ years of my leadership I can clearly state that the specific values a leader prioritizes may vary based on their leadership style, the organization’s culture, and the context in which they lead. However, a strong foundation of values is essential for effective and respected leadership.

My approach is…
We, as leaders, should never forget that the idea of understanding people will help us understand the intricacies of their motivations, aspirations, and concerns. By truly comprehending our team members and those we lead, we gain invaluable insights into how to best support, empower, and lead them effectively.
Understanding people fosters stronger relationships, enhances collaboration, and ultimately paves the way for a more empathetic and successful leadership journey.

The power of all this is “people will never forget how you made them feel”.

Related Articles