Traits of Great Leaders

For Christian Working Women
April 4, 2016
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This one is for women who are in leadership positions or are aspiring to be in leadership positions.

I never in my life dreamed I would lead other people. It was never an ambition, desire or a goal. In fact, I still prefer to be on a team or working behind the scenes. I wouldn’t even count myself among the front lines of good leaders, let alone the greats. But I’ve always had to lead in my capacity as a commissioned officer in the US Navy.

It was painful, but it taught me a lot about it means to be an awful, horrible boss and an outstanding leader. And every shade of effectiveness in between. But having reached my own personal best of leadership and watching those who I admire, here are the traits of great leaders I’ve observed and tried to emulate:

Great leaders…

1: Know their people. I once had a peer tell me that he viewed those working for him as tools. Quite frankly he was an idiot. The people that Naval officers are given are Sailors and we’re charged to develop them as such. To use them as tools indicates that you believe your agenda is what’s best when in reality it isn’t. It also indicates that you only know them to the extent that you can use that knowledge to serve yourself. Great leaders know their people because they know that they can’t effectively lead people they don’t know.

2: Do not tolerate insubordination: This has nothing to do with ego but everything to do with morale, productivity and creating a right, professional environment. Allowing people to be insubordinate only corrodes morale for the rest of the team. Best case scenario is that you still have people who show up and do a great job because it’s who they are it’s what they want to do. But they won’t respect or really show up for YOU. Worst case scenario is that the rest of your team will follow suit and become insubordinate and your wild card is now the leader of your team. Once that happens, good luck with trying to achieve your mission.

3: Develop, coach and mentor: Remember the guy I told you about that viewed his people as tools for him to use? Well, he also was a poor mentor. He spent most of his time creating fires, roadblocking other people’s success and bottlenecking processes that he should have improved. Real leaders help and empower their team find solutions. Real leaders pour into people. Some more than others because honestly, everyone has a different talent and skill level. But even after real leaders have poured out all they can for you, guess what? They link you to other who will do the same for you.

4: Know when to back off: I think one of the best compliments that you can receive as a leader is to have an operation that can function without you. Of course you don’t want to make yourself obsolete or put yourself out of a job. But true leaders create other leaders. The best way I can put this one is that if you

5: Listen: The absolute worst leaders I’ve ever worked for were ones that (among other things) only listened long enough to get what they wanted out of you, and then talked over you. Or they never listened and always proceeded to dictate their opinion and view of everything. There has to be a balance in communication. If you’re the leader who’s always talking more than you listen, please readjust.

6: Are consistent: This is a bit of an oxymoran because leaders are people just like everyone else. They have bad days. They have bad moods. And I believe that being consistent doesn’t mean you can’t show it. But it does mean that you still have to treat people like you would even if you were having a great day. Consistently treat your people with respect and consistently provide leadership and discipline and they will accept you – flaws and all.

If you are a leader who needs some encouragement, check out my survival guide for Christian women. It’s got a list of resources to keep you uplifted: