Editor’s note: This article was first published in May 2015; David Ducic’s job title and company are given as stated in the source at that time.
Leadership isn’t the ability to tell other people what to do. That’s called authority. Nor is it simply a matter of wanting to be a leader, because desire and effort don’t necessarily add up to ability. Leadership is an intangible quality, found in relatively few people, that can’t be measured or quantified.
So how do you recognise a true leader? David Ducic, chief operating officer of Aximum Consulting, has worked with thousands of people in the corporate world and dozens of clients, and from that experience he has identified the 6 main traits that every leader has. Here they are:
1. Confidence, not arrogance.
There’s a very fine line between the two, but it’s a very clear one. Most people would rather work with someone who has a quiet confidence than with someone full of brash swagger. If you’re good at what you do, people recognise it straight away and are drawn to you.
2. Honesty, not corporate jargon.
Leaders are true to themselves and to others, even when that means delivering unpleasant or unpopular news. Always avoid the corporate jargon that hides the real message you’re trying to get across.
3. Approachability, not aloofness.
Plenty of bosses never seem to have time for their team, and when they do finally sit down with them, they tend to keep checking their email and phones throughout the conversation. True leaders make time for others, pay attention and listen actively. That makes other people feel important.
4. Learning, not assuming.
We are all lifelong learners, or at least we should be. Non-leaders tend to think they already have all the knowledge they need to succeed and to make the right decisions, which often leads them into mistakes. By taking an active part in learning, true leaders show a passion for knowledge, a desire to improve themselves and the ability to build on their current skills so they can be better in the future.
5. Listening, not talking.
A true leader takes the time to listen to people and pay attention to them. They listen to every proposal their team puts forward, as well as to strategies for reaching the goals. That way, the organisation becomes more dynamic, well structured and united.
6. Optimism, not realism.
(Read: business success and the type of optimism you have)
It doesn’t matter what sector the company is in. Times can be hard. People who see themselves as realists (also known as pessimists) tend to get irritable and give off a negative atmosphere when they’re under pressure.
Happy teams can turn toxic if their managers are negative people who spread their pessimism to everyone else in the organisation. True leaders recognise the need to keep morale up, focusing on positive outcomes, a consistent attitude and meaningful results.
Being a leader isn’t easy, but these six basic traits inspire others to be better and build a loyal following through authenticity, empathy, honesty and charisma.
Further reading
- Myths and truths about leadership
- 17 ideas and thoughts from Machiavelli applied to leadership
- 24 leadership styles in business, country by country
Featured image: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
