What It Takes to Be a Leader
Over the years, I’ve gathered these 27 bits and pieces on what makes a great leader.
I have listed them below. (If you can add any, let me know.)
- High standards of personal ethics (mentioned in almost all interviews)
- A person without pettiness
- Guts under pressure, resilience in defeat
- Brilliant brains (mentioned most often as, “street savvy”)
- A capacity for hard work and midnight oil— and enjoy it
- Charisma— charm and persuasiveness
- A streak of unorthodoxy— (ready to order what’s not on the menu!)
- A good listener (mentioned most often)
- The courage to make tough decisions
- An inspiring enthusiast— with thrust and gusto
- A sense of humor
- Patient
- Impatient (yes, at times you simply have to act)
- Self-confident
- Think big
- Optimistic
- Persistent
- High energy
- Decisive
- Courageous— take risks (don’t fear failure)
- A strong faith (but not necessarily a church person)
- Resilient
- Vision (a dreamer)
- Resourceful
- A creative problem-solver
- A lifetime learner (CEO doesn’t stand for “Continuing Education Over!”)
- Willing to give credit to others
