7 Characteristics of a “Leader that People Love to Follow”

As a leader, it is vital to possess various skills and qualities that enable you to guide and inspire your team to take action effectively. You want to be a remarkable leader, one your team will love to follow and go the extra mile for.

Given the reality that “we teach what we know, but we duplicate who we are”, we need to be clear on what we’d want to duplicate.

Here are seven critical characteristics that every leader should possess if they want their team to love following them:

Emotional intelligence

Leaders have a high level of emotional intelligence and can effectively understand and manage their own emotions as well as the emotions of others. This includes being self-aware, being able to empathise with others, and being able to regulate emotions in difficult situations. “Respond, not react”.

Integrity

Having integrity means “doing what you said you would do, by when you said you’d do it and in the way it should be done”. Be trustworthy, honest, and ethical in actions and words. This helps build trust and respect among team members and sets a positive example for others.

Listening skills

Great leaders have strong communication skills, which, first and foremost, means they know how to ask great questions and hear others’ thoughts and opinions without becoming defensive. They should be able to effectively convey their ideas and thoughts to others and engage in constructive dialogue.

Collaboration

Working with and collaborating with others is key to being an exceptional leader. By fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork, leaders can bring out the best in their team and achieve shared goals more effectively. These leaders know that going at it alone, won’t get them far, even if it feels they can get there faster.

Vision

Great leaders know what they want to achieve and understand what it will take to complete it. They can communicate it to others compellingly. This vision should be aligned with the values and goals of the organisation and inspire others to work towards it.

Strategic thinking

Great leaders can think strategically and make decisions that align with the organisation’s long-term goals. They create other leaders, not only followers.

This involves analysing information, considering different options, and making informed choices that are in the best interests of the team and the organisation. Primarily creating new leaders and fewer followers is in the organisation’s best interest.

Adaptability

The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is crucial if you want to be an exceptional leader. In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential to pivot and adjust your approach when necessary. Decisive and considerate of the overall greater good for themselves and their organisation.

Leaders can inspire and guide their teams to success by possessing these critical characteristics. It is crucial for leaders to continually develop and improve these skills to be effective in their roles.

As a leader, you want your team to take ownership, take the initiative and deliver results. These characteristics will encourage your team to do that, and they will thrive with a sense of significance, you’ll be the great leader, your team will LOVE TO FOLLOW!