7 Qualities Of An Extraordinary Leader

So, we’ve talked a little about the differences between managers and leaders, but do you know what it takes to become an extraordinary leader? Transforming your talents from those as a manager to an extraordinary leader means that you’re not simply aspiring to head your team, or project, but to inspire change, increase morale, and encourage productivity. Every business needs an extraordinary leader; can your office rely on you? Are you an extraordinary leader?

1. Can you celebrate the individuality of your team members?

If you’re an extraordinary leader you’ll know exactly who you have working for you, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and what motivates them to work their hardest. You’ll see you workforce as colleagues rather than mere employees, and you’ll know their names, a little about their home life, and could probably hold a personable conversation with them in the break room. While a manager sees job titles and performance, a great leader knows who’s on your side, what makes them tick, and how to encourage the very best from them, as well as relating to them on an holistic level.

2. Do you know the difference between important and urgent?

An extraordinary leader lives in the long term, connecting the dots between today’s projects and tomorrow’s results. While a manager may get things done in the here and now, a great leader can inspire a team to reach further and aim higher; sure, there will be jobs that are urgent, and it’s important that they get done. However, your energy is best spent on the meaningful tasks that will take your business into the stratosphere, so know the difference.

3. Can you keep a promise?

Regardless of whether you’ve made a promise to yourself, your business, or your team, it is essential that you learn how to keep your word if you want to be an extraordinary leader. Have you promised your team a particularly juicy reward for meeting a target, or insisted that a certain deadline can be met? Breaking your promise not only makes the business look bad, but it also takes away your credibility as a leader. Trust is absolutely vital in business, so be sure to earn it.

4. Do you treat your team as you wish them to treat clients and customers?

Treating each member of your team as an individual is a great step in the right direction, but do you interact with them in the same way that you’d like them to speak to clients? There’s a particularly inspiring quote of Richard Branson’s doing the rounds on social media at the moment, inferring that its your team that matters, rather than the customer; after all, if you look after your team, they will look after the client. Being a great leader isn’t about being the best, or making the biggest deals, but about motivating your team to want those things. In turn they will project such an attitude onto those they deal with.

5. Do you want to be liked, or respected?

Many managers want to be liked, but an extraordinary leader knows that business is about so much more than what is said about them behind their back. While some may shy away from issuing thankless tasks, back away from confrontation, or refuse to pass judgment, others will do whatever it takes to ensure that business is booming. By all means be on friendly terms with employees and colleagues, but if criticism needs to be passed, pass it. Being a great leader is about finding that middle ground, and earning the respect of your office.

6. Can you accept responsibility?

While there are those in business that will blame their employees for mistakes, an extraordinary leader recognises their shortfalls, assumes responsibility, and works out a way to move forward. Unless a team member has blatantly disregarded an order, it’s likely that a miscommunication or error of judgment is to blame; a great leader won’t berate their team or look to assign blame, but motivate everybody to move forward as a team, and learn from their own mistakes.

7. Can you inspire the masses?

Okay, so you’re unlikely to ever stand on top of a mountain and address a nation, but have you got confidence in yourself, and your business? Could you sell an idea to a room filled with like-minded professionals, or simply hold the attention of your clients during a conference? If you can inspire others to follow your example, sow a seed that becomes a successful reality, or create a buzz around a proposal, you’re one step closer to being an extraordinary leader; never be afraid to lead the way.

Have you got what it takes to be an extraordinary leader? Are there any qualities that we’ve missed? Please share them below, as I think we could all push ourselves to be even better leaders.