19 leadership traits to focus on in 2019

Joseph Lalonde Jan. 16, 2019

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You’re never finished developing leadership skills. The traits that make a great leader can always be honed and improved by focusing on what will make you better. Do you know where to focus? Most people don’t and struggle to improve their leadership capacity beyond their current point.

These 19 traits will help you become the leader people want to follow.

1.  Effective communication

Want to lead better? Learn how to communicate better. Leaders who clearly communicate to their teams often have more success. Your team will struggle to move forward if you haven’t communicated the direction you have for them. Learn how to communicate your organization’s goals.

2. Forward-thinking

Your goal as a leader is to move people to a new place. You cannot lead people to a new place without a forward-thinking mindset. When you think ahead, you can see where your organization is headed and guide those you’re leading there. Be willing to lean into the future.

3. Relationship building

Want to lead better? Learn to build better relationships. Great leaders connect with people on an emotional and personal level. This helps them to know who they’re dealing with and what issues are arising in the lives of the people they lead.

4. Coaching

You have to help your team grow. But you might not know how to help them take the next step. This is where coaching comes into play. Michael Bungay Stainer, the author of The Coaching Habit, says the best question to ask in coaching is, “And what else?” You’ll eventually get to the heart of problems by using this question and showing interest in your team.

5. Confidence

Leading without confidence is difficult. You have to believe in what you’re doing. Without confidence, you’ll flounder. You’ll constantly doubt the choices you make. 

6. Integrity

One of the most important leadership traits you can have is integrity. Having integrity means you do the right thing even when the right thing isn’t easy. People will trust leaders who have integrity and be willing to follow them places they normally wouldn’t go. 

7. Heart of a student

You never stop learning and growing as a leader. While there are timeless leadership principles, there are new ways of doing things. Be willing to take on the task of learning new leadership skills. Hone them and use them effectively.

8. Self-control

Focus on learning to control your emotions and attitude. Leaders who go far often have mastered the leadership trait of self-control. You’ll be better respected and listened to.

9. Self-aware

Great leaders are self-aware. They know they don’t know everything. They also know they should continue to work on themselves. Keep your self-awareness front and center in your life. It’ll keep you in your place while you continue to grow.

10. Commitment

Have you ever heard of the squirrel syndrome? This is where someone will change their thoughts or ideas based on the latest thing to catch their eye. They’ll throw out weeks or months worth of work only to jump onto the next bandwagon.

Don’t be a squirrel leader. Instead, stay committed to the path you’ve set forth.

11. Risk-taker

Leadership requires risk. Forecasting into the future is uncertain. You won’t know whether or not you’ll be successful. You have to put forth your best vision and go with it. Take the risk!

12. Endurance

If you want to go the distance, you have to endure. You’ll endure through good times and bad times. Through pain and happiness. Leadership is an endurance run. Keep running.

13. Drive

To lead well, you have to have drive. Drive will push you forward when you don’t feel like continuing.

14. Accountability

Effective leaders know they’re accountable to others. Whoever you’re accountable to, be open to their feedback.

15. Able to listen

Listening opens your mind to the situations you would be prone to miss. People aren’t willing to share what’s going on when you’re unable to see it.

16. Reliable

If you’re not reliable, you’re not going to do well in leadership. You have to show up when people expect and need you to be there.

17. Enthusiasm

An enthusiastic leader can change the dynamics of the workplace. As team members see you excited and energetic about an initiative, they’ll catch the fire as well.

18. Maturity

Great leaders have come to a place of maturity where they can control and properly express themselves.  

19. Caring

Last, but not least, is the leadership trait of caring. There’s something special about a caring leader. They take an interest in their team members. They care and help out when needed. Learn to stretch your caring muscles.

Take these traits into consideration to make this your best year ever.

Photo source: istock 

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Joseph Lalonde is an award-winning leadership blogger and hosted the Answers From Leadership podcast. He desires to see 20-somethings step into their God-ordained roles as leaders. Previously, on the E3 staff and currently serving in the Catalyst youth ministry of Gateway Church, Joseph has mentored many students and has seen their lives changed through this teaching. His mission is to help equip leaders with the knowledge and information to boost their leadership to the next level. This article was first published on JMLalonde.com. Used with permission Learn More »

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