Leadership Attributes in the Workplace: What Should You Be Looking For?

It is often said that while there are many teachers, very few can actually teach. Similarly, while anyone can be a leader, very few leaders exemplify the outstanding attributes necessary to set them apart from their peers. Below introduces four core leadership attributes that every aspiring leader should possess.

Communication Skills
According to Forbes magazine, the best leaders can connect with people on an emotional level. This results in better engagement and productivity. Leaders should not only have excellent verbal and written skills, but they must be masters of body language. In addition to this, they should be sincere, honest and assertive. In fact, being assertive without being aggressive or intimidating is one of the most important skills a leader can possess. In the end, being direct and authentic will result in transparent communication exchanges.

Invest in Strengths
According to recent research by Gallup, the most effective leaders invest in their individual employees’ strengths. This results in optimal engagement and employee satisfaction. Therefore, the best leaders know how to assess, challenge and bring out the best in their employees. They focus on assigning tasks and projects to employees, according to what they excel at and naturally enjoy. As a result, the leader will be surrounded by happy, high-performing employees. Leaders who fail to properly understand their followers will end up forcing employees to perform tasks or jobs that they dislike or struggle to successfully complete.

Diversity and Inclusion
Modern business diversity sensitivity goes beyond federally recognized minority groups and embraces an all-inclusive policy respect and understanding. The best leaders respect and embrace individual differences. They focus on empowering employees of every kind to reach their potential and express their individualism. Research shows that diversity and inclusion lead to better creativity, teamwork and productivity.

Higher Education
Anyone applying for a management position should have an excellent education. For example, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular and well-respected degrees for business leaders. MBA students learn the necessary skills, knowledge and core competencies needed to excel in leadership. MBA students will study everything from finances to marketing to organizational behavior. They will have the right leadership attributes to excel in management positions in any industry. Additionally, they will also establish important networking relationships during their degree program.

In short, there are certain leadership qualities that help leaders to excel in their positions. The best leaders have excellent communication skills, know how to utilize employee’s strengths and embrace diversity. Finally, they also are dedicated life-long learners.