Top attributes of a leader

When it comes to filling leadership positions, it is essential to identify individuals who possess the right qualities and skills to inspire, motivate, and guide their team towards achieving organisational goals. Whether you're hiring for a leadership position or looking to someone internally to move up, here are the top qualities to look for in a candidate:

1. Strong Communication Skills

Effective communication lies at the heart of successful leadership. Look for people who can express their ideas and the ideas of the organisation clearly, listen actively, and adapt their communication style to the situation and audience. A strong leader should be able to articulate expectations, provide feedback, and inspire their team members to perform at their best.

2. Emotional Intelligence

Leaders with high emotional intelligence are empathetic, self-aware, and skilled at managing their emotions. Top leaders understand and navigate the emotions of others, fostering positive relationships and creating a supportive work environment but are mature enough to receive and act on feedback themselves. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to inspire trust, handle conflicts with grace, and make decisions that consider the well-being of their team members.

3. Decisiveness

Making tough decisions under pressure is a part of the leadership remit. Good leadership candidates should be able to view options objectively, consider different perspectives and available analyse data to make timely decisions. Leaders need to demonstrate confidence in their choices while being open to input from others. The ability to take calculated risks and learn from failures is also an important aspect of decisiveness.

4. Accountability

A strong leader takes responsibility for their actions and decisions. They hold themselves and their team members accountable for their performance and outcomes. Look for candidates who demonstrate a strong sense of integrity, take ownership of their mistakes, and actively seek solutions to challenges. A leader who leads by example and embraces accountability can foster a culture of responsibility within the organisation.

5. Adaptability

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, leaders need to be flexible and adaptable. Look for candidates who can embrace change, navigate ambiguity, and find opportunities within challenges. An adaptable leader can adjust their strategies, communicate change effectively, and inspire their team to embrace new directions.

6. Team Building and Collaboration

A leader's success depends on their ability to build and nurture high-performing teams. Look for candidates who can motivate, inspire, and empower their team members to reach their full potential. A good leader should foster a collaborative environment, promote teamwork, and recognize individual strengths while leveraging them for collective success.

Identifying individuals with the right qualities for leadership roles is vital for the growth and success of any organisation. Strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, decisiveness, accountability, adaptability, and team-building abilities are essential qualities to look for in potential leaders. By focusing on these qualities during the hiring process or when developing internal talent, you can ensure that your organisation is equipped with effective leaders who can drive innovation, inspire their teams, and navigate challenges to achieve success.

The team at Approach Consulting have had a combined 35 years of experience recruiting all levels, including senior leadership roles and our people understand what it takes for a candidate to be successful in these high-level positions. Reach out to us to get more information on how we can help you in your career journey or help your business to find your next leader.