Qualities of a Good Leader

Abstract

Leadership can come in many forms, but good leaders are able to use a combination of skills – including emotional intelligence, collaboration, and communication – to create a meaningful vision and influence others to act in support of that vision. While some believe that individuals are born with innate leadership skills, these strategies and tools can also be developed and honed. Six key styles of leadership – authoritative, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, coaching, and coercive – have been described and successful leaders recognize that no single style will work in isolate and utilize a combination of these styles depending on the setting. Great leaders possess both self-awareness and situational awareness and use all of these leadership tools and styles to be most effective across a variety of situations.