Numbers Diagram

5 Qualities of a Great Leader

Manager is a title. Leader is a state of mind.

Put their people first

Leading isn't the same as managing

Get Involved

Lead from the frontline

Don't Micromanage

Trust your team

Actively Listen

Listen to understand

Be Flexible

Flexibility = Resiliency

BE FLEXIBLE

We all know that things change, and that even the best-laid plans don’t always work out. This is why flexibility is such a key leadership skill. Sometimes, plans will have to change, priorities rearranged and timelines moved. Learning to roll with these punches = Resilience!

DON'T MICROMANAGE

'Leading by Example' means providing your team with a model of behaviour. But this doesn't mean they should do everything exactly the way you do it. Trust your team. Great leaders support their teams in finding their own way.

Get involved

Leading by example means leading from the frontline. Not the sidelines. Get involved, but don't take over the whole project. Simply offer support. Getting involved shows that you value their time, efforts and contribution.

Put their people first

Great leaders inspire and motivate their team. They look out for them and always put them first. Remember to:

• Give your team recognition for hard work, and good ideas.
• Practice open communication.
• Take the time to understand your teams' workload.
• Know your teams' capacity & delegate accordingly. This prevents burnout and, as a result, high staff turnover.

Actively Listen

Listen to understand. Not just to reply. This is especially important when receiving feedback. It can be natural to feel defensive. But this is an opportunity to grow. Leaders learn from constructive feedback. Thank the person for sharing, and use it to fuel your personal development.