A while ago I found a document on my laptop with 37 leadership attributes that leaders should display – I can’t remember where I originally found it so can’t add its source:
- Energetic with stamina – Approaches tasks with great energy and works long hours when necessary.
- Insightful – Reflects on the relationships among events and grasps the meaning of complex issues quickly.
- Adaptable, open to change – Encourages and accepts suggestions and constructive criticism from co-workers, and is willing to consider modifying plans.
- Visionary – Looks to the future and creates new ways in which the organization can prosper.
- Tolerant of ambiguity and complexity – Comfortably handles vague and difficult situations where there is no simple answer or no prescribed method of proceeding.
- Achievement-oriented – Shows commitment to achieving goals and strives to keep improving performance.
- Accountable – Holds self-answerable for work and willingly admits mistakes.
- Initiating – Frequently introduces new ideas.
- Confident, accepting of self – Appears secure about abilities and recognizes personal shortcomings.
- Willing to accept responsibility – Willingly assumes higher level duties and functions within the organization.
- Persistent – Continues to act on beliefs despite unexpected difficulties.
- Enthusiastic, optimistic – Thinks positively, approaches new tasks with excitement, and deals with challenges as opportunities.
- Tolerant of frustration – Acts calmly and patiently even when things don’t go as planned.
- Dependable, reliable – Can be counted on to follow through to get the job done.
- Courageous, risk-taker – Willingly tries out new ideas in spite of possible loss or failure.
- Even disposition – Displays a sense of humor and a stable temperament even in stressful situations.
- Committed to the common good – Works to benefit the entire organization, not just self.
- Personal integrity – Speaks frankly and honestly and practices espoused values.
- Intelligent with practical judgment – Learns quickly, and knows how and when to apply knowledge.
- Ethical – Acts consistently with principles of fairness and right or good conduct that can stand the test of close public scrutiny.
- Communication (listening, oral, written) – Listens closely to people at work, and organizes and clearly presents information both orally andin writing.
- Sensitivity, respect – Shows genuine concern for the feelings of others and regard for them as individuals.
- Motivating others – Creates an environment in which people want to do their best.
- Networking – Develops cooperative relationships within and outside of the organization.
- Planning – In collaboration with others, develops tactics and strategies for achieving organizational objectives.
- Delegating – Appropriately and effectively assigns responsibility and authority.
- Organizing – Establishes effective and efficient procedures forgetting work done in an orderly manner.
- Team building – Facilitates the development of cohesiveness and cooperation among the people at work.
- Coaching – Helps people develop knowledge and skills for their work assignments.
- Conflict management – Brings conflict into the open and uses it to arrive at constructive solutions.
- Time management – Schedules own work activities so that deadlines are met and work goals are accomplished in a timely manner.
- Stress management – Effectively deals with the tension of high pressure work situations.
- Appropriate use of leadership styles – Uses a variety of approaches to influence and lead others.
- Ideological beliefs are appropriate to the group – Models and demonstrates belief in the basic values of the organization.
- Decision-making – Makes timely decisions that are in the best interest of the organization by analyzing all available information, distilling key points, and drawing relevant conclusions.
- Problem-solving – Effectively identifies, analyzes, and resolves difficulties and uncertainties at work.
- Information management – Identifies, collects, organizes, and analyzes the essential information needed by the organization
