In the ever-changing world of modern business, there are some characteristics that successful leaders will need to possess. Here is a short list of vital leadership characteristics to search for in your future leaders.
Flexibility
The ability to adapt to different situations and diverse cultures, navigate unexpected challenges, and provide novel solutions using new tools is a necessity in today’s leadership market. A leader rigidly locked in a stagnant mindset cannot survive in an ever-changing culture. Yesterday’s answers may not fit today’s problems. A modern leader must be able to achieve goals in new and unique ways, using tools and technologies that may not have existed when the task began.
Confidence
The modern leader needs to believe in himself, his team, his goals, and his methods to achieve those goals, regardless of frustration and setbacks. Personal confidence in the ability to carry out the mission and to overcome obstacles is vital in the psychological makeup of a leader. Perseverance through setbacks and mistakes is an important part of successful leadership.
Vision
Creating a mental image of what success looks like and what steps will be needed to attain the desired goals is a highly desirable skill in a leader. Not only must the final outcome be a clear vision in the leader’s mind, but the delegation of the pieces of the puzzle to the proper members of the team, and visualizing how that team will interact to accomplish those goals, is critical.
Understanding
Being able to relate to the many people with whom the leader will interact, and comprehending not only what is being said, but why it is said, is invaluable. This ability will help develop team members and allow them to reach their maximum potential and highest output. Being quick to judge is a mistake in modern leadership. Understanding that goes beyond compassion and empathy, and is an intellectual quality more than an emotional one, is important.
Accountability
Leaders must take ownership of outcomes, both positive and negative. Blame-shifting has no place in modern leadership. The ability to take blame and to share credit is the mark of a successful leader. The team will work hard and take risks for a leader who they feel will offer them support and protection as they attempt to do their jobs to the best of their ability.
Resilience
There are always challenges and unexpected roadblocks on the path to achieve valuable goals. Today’s leadership cannot be deterred, but must find different avenues, other pathways, and viable solutions to whatever problems may arise. There will be conflicts with personnel, other departments and even outside social events beyond any control, such as pandemics and government action, but the leader must keep the goals and objectives in mind without hesitation or frustration.
Hunger
The word hunger is used to describe an intense desire. Today’s leader must have a hunger for success, a desire for advancement, and a yearning for challenge. This feeling will motivate the leader to overcome obstacles and find personal satisfaction in successfully tackling goals. A good leader shares that hunger for achievement with all team members and motivates everyone to attain success.
Decisiveness
A good leader makes – and sticks to – decisions. This does not mean a rush to judgment or picking a hasty course of action, but rather establishing a well-thought-out plan. Team members and employees react positively to clear-cut goals, and are rendered unproductive with nebulous, poorly defined objectives. It is the leader’s responsibility to clearly define concrete achievable accomplishments, and enable the team to succeed.
Team Up With Headfarmer
If you need advice on navigating your next hire, the experienced staff at Headfarmer can help. We will get to know your business and make a true investment in your company goals. To learn more, please contact us at 480-214-9704 or reception@headfarmer.com.
