Munich, 30.06.2024

The Key Qualities of a Good Leader

Leaders face the challenge of motivating a team, resolving conflicts, and increasing productivity, while simultaneously pursuing strategic goals.

Being a good leader is therefore a skill that not only requires natural talents, but also continuous learning and self-development in dealing with people. At its core, it's about an inner attitude towards the role of "leader". Adopting this attitude is an active decision.

But what makes a good leader and how can one acquire these skills through self-study or (online) training?

The Key Qualities of a Good Leader

1. Empathy and Communication Skills

Empathy is one of the most important qualities of a good leader:
Empathetic leaders understand the perspectives of their team members and customers and can therefore make better decisions.

Good communication skills are equally essential for setting clear expectations and providing constructive feedback.
Language is the decisive source of influence for a leader. It is therefore necessary to constantly be aware of the effect of one's own expression. Successful leaders therefore reflect on their own way of expressing themselves.

2. Decisiveness and Sense of Responsibility

A good leader must be able to make quick and effective decisions and take responsibility for the outcomes of those decisions. This builds trust and respect within the team.

In practice, decisions are often not clear-cut and easy to make. Even more serious in their impact, however, are missing or delayed decisions.

A common mistake is also that a leader believes they have to decide everything alone. This often leads to one-sided, faulty or delayed decisions.
The task of good leadership is therefore to actively drive interdisciplinary decision-making processes.

3. Visionary Thinking

A good leader has a clear vision and can share this vision with their team and motivate them to work towards it. Visionary thinking helps to set long-term and meaningful goals and thus determine the direction of the company.

Leaders who do not develop a vision - i.e., who have no idea what the future should bring - remain reactive in everyday leadership. Reactivity, however, is the opposite of leadership.

4. Flexibility and Adaptability

In a constantly changing business world, leaders must be flexible and adaptable. They should be able to react quickly to unexpected challenges and adjust their strategies accordingly.

In an increasingly complex work environment, watertight planning is hardly possible anymore. too many parameters are constantly changing. Therefore, a strategy of trying out and reflecting is helpful.
Good leaders enable team members to constantly learn and reflect and thus improve themselves.

5. Integrity and Ethics

Integrity and ethical behavior are crucial to earning and maintaining the trust of team members, colleagues, and customers.
A leader should act as a role model and always be honest and fair.
The standard for this is one's own inner compass: the personal principles of good leadership.
What makes a good leader?
Good leaders empower their team members and do not need to be in the spotlight themselves.

Employees are proud to be able to work in such a team, where appreciation, development and meaningful challenges exist.

How can you become a good leader through self-study?

  1. Online Training and Courses
    There are numerous online courses and training programs that specifically focus on leadership skills. Platforms like Principles of Good Leadership or LinkedIn Learning offer courses on topics such as leadership styles, conflict management, and team development.

  2. Books and Articles
    Reading books and scientific articles on leadership topics is an excellent way to acquire theoretical knowledge and study practical examples.
    In practice, however, it often turns out that leaders study trade journals and technical literature, but hardly any leadership literature.

    Hand on heart: How many books have you already read on the topic of leadership?

    Works such as "Turn the Ship Around!" by David Marquet or "Group, Team, Top Team" by Tom Senninger and Alfried Weiß are excellent resources.
    Our Top 10 Book recommendations

  3. Mentorship and Networking
    Exchanging ideas with experienced leaders through mentorship and networking can provide valuable insights and advice. Many online platforms and professional networks offer opportunities to connect with experts.

  4. Practical Application
    It is important to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. This can be done through projects, voluntary leadership roles, or simulated leadership scenarios.

    Trying out and reflecting; switching to self-learning mode is therefore a valuable quality of good leaders.

  5. Feedback and Self-Reflection
    Regular feedback from colleagues and team members as well as self-reflection on one's own strengths and weaknesses help to continuously grow and improve.

    Good leaders organize situational consultants, coaches and colleagues to understand different perspectives and thus make better decisions.

  6. Leadership takes time
    Good leadership focuses on people and their behavior. This distinguishes it from employees who focus on productivity and efficiency.

    Good leadership begins with the self-understanding of not being the best expert oneself, but of fully concentrating on the role of leader.
    This takes time. Organizing this time for oneself in everyday professional life is a characteristic (and prerequisite) of good leadership competence.

Six tips on how to become a good leader

Focus on continuous learning

Use online courses and books to continuously expand your knowledge of leadership. Regularly ask for feedback for yourself.

Practice Empathy

Develop your ability to put yourself in your team members' shoes and understand their needs. Ask good questions and listen between the lines.

Develop Decisiveness

Work on making quick and effective decisions and taking responsibility for them. Don't shy away from uncomfortable topics, but initiate clarification processes with those affected.

 

Cultivate a clear Vision

Take time to develop your vision for the future and growth. Communicate your Vision clearly and motivate your team to work towards it together.

Act ethically and with integrity

Be a role model in terms of integrity and ethical behavior to gain and maintain the trust of your team.
This means: define your values.

Develop your personal leadership perspective

Your values and basic principles are your compass for your behavior and decision-making. Define your inner compass by establishing your principles of good leadership.

Conclusion: What makes a good leader?

Becoming a good leader is a continuous process that requires commitment and the will for self-improvement. Through targeted self-study and practical application, you can develop the skills necessary to successfully lead your team.

Write me your opinion: What makes a good leader?

Scientific Sources

  1. Goleman, D. (2004). What Makes a Leader? Harvard Business Review.
  2. Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
  3. Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson.
  4. Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications. Free Press.
  5. Sinek, S. (2009). Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. Penguin Group.

Further Links

  • Leadership Training:
    Weiß & Senninger have been offering experience-oriented and inspiring leadership trainings since 2000: Leadership Development Program
About the Author:

Tom Senninger
Tom Senninger		 Tom Senninger is a human resources and organizational development expert, and has been conducting leadership development programs for 25 years.

With his leadership blog, he aims to contribute to improving leadership quality in companies: less management - more leadership!

Weiß & Senninger
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