What are the 6 qualities that surround good leadership? Part 4 of 6

Over 6 weeks, we will be looking at the qualities that surround 'Good Leaders' - we are up to week 4.

Just a reminder that promotion to leadership can happen for various reasons. Seniority, competence, popularity or even just simply being available!

Some people may just simply assume leadership because when they look around no one else is leading. Some are elected into a role of leadership because they weren’t there to object - I literally had this happen to me in one role of leadership!

But what are the 6 qualities that will make you a 'Good Leader' and not just a leader?

I have had many roles in leadership over my life. Some were comfortable and some very challenging; but every role taught me a little more about what it is that contributes to being a good leader.

So, over this 6 week's series, I want to share with you 6 character traits to look for when choosing a leader in your business or organisation.

CARING

The higher we climb the ladder of success the greater the view there is of those we are serving. 

A key leader who cares believes that as they grow others should have the opportunity to grow too. 

Caring leaders understand that they are in partnership with their other leaders and subordinates in achieving the best possible outcome for all concerned; management, staff, clients, and customers.

I am sure at one stage or another in your life someone has told you, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

While it is a common saying, it still carries a profound truth.

When people feel cared for, they are more responsive to correction advice and support from leadership.

Care is a part of encouragement that can evoke engagement. 

Care is an aspect of love. It is your values in action. Care is being concerned with someone's health and wellness and making sure you and your staff are living in eustress, not distress.

Care is sympathy, empathy, sincerity, attentiveness, and kindness. Care has an aspect of watchfulness about others and proactive as well as reactive support.

Someone once said to me, “The world needs more lerts. Be Alert.”

With watchful eyes of care, we can anticipate events such as anxiety, fear, doubt, and depression and create minor interventions. 

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I was once very sick and developed an extremely high temperature and was hallucinating. It was on a weekend and no doctors were available. My wife was very concerned and she called a friend of ours who is a doctor who left what he was doing straight away to pick me up and took me to the hospital he worked at.

I was there for a couple of days and everything returned to normal. I had picked up a virus and was basically exhausted and my body had no resources left to fight it.

After I was back to full health, my Doctor friend Ralph said to me, “Ian, remember this for the rest of your life. Little problem, Little medicine. Big Problem, Big medicine.”

He told me, “You need to care for yourself better while the problem is still small.”

At that stage of my life, I would regularly do 80 hours+ per week at work and voluntary work an additional 10-20 hours. 

Ralph had shown me outstanding care and support. He was caring for me more than I was caring for myself. 

Self-Care is a critical aspect of your life.

The more you move into roles of leadership you will have to learn how to care for others and provide self-care. So when you are looking for potential leaders, check for their habits around Self-Care. This way you can be more sure they will last the distance and not burn out. 

• Do you rate yourself as a leader? 
• Would you like to move into a role of leadership? 
• How is your level of care towards others and yourself? 
• How many of the qualities listed about care are evident in your life?
• How can you learn to become more caring in your style to be thought of as a leader?

In my book the '5 Keys to Successful Business Planning' we walk people through how to attract, train, monitor, develop, and grow successful leaders in their business or organisation.

The E-book is now available on our website here.

Have a great week and remember to 'Planalife you want to live in through a Business on Purpose.'

See you next week for Part 5 - Consistency.

Cheers, Ian.