CHICAGO–What makes for a great leader? It’s the subject of endless debate and analysis and nearly as many books. But one person has offered up 15 traits she said make for a good starting point.
Writing on LeaderChat.org, Madeline Homan Blanchard said she was recently asked by her son, who was interning at her company, what one leadership book he should read.
“Of course, I am a fan of Leading at A Higher Level, which outlines a lot of The Ken Blanchard Companies content,” Homan Blanchard wrote. “And then of course there is the brand new Servant Leadership in Action. I love both of these books and recommend them highly.”
But the question also got her thinking about some of the attributes a great manager should either have or be working on, she said, before offering up these 15:
- Be interested and curious
- Do no harm (or don’t be a big jerk)
- Admit when you are wrong and apologize when appropriate
- Keep your eye on the ball – don’t waste time on what doesn’t matter
- Surround yourself with the best people you can
- Be a role model from the behaviors you are holding your people accountable for
- Have at least one bright person you trust who challenges you even if it is annoying
- Exercise iron clad personal discipline when it comes to self-care
- Practice self-control so that you can respond instead of react
- Do the hard things first
- Mean what you say, say what you mean
- Do what you say you are going to do
- Be crystal clear about your expectations
- Listen more than you talk
- Keep learning and growing