Over the years there have been thousands of articles, scientific studies, and speculation about the commonalities among those who lead. While some identify the classic “Type A” as those ambitious enough to rise in the ranks, others have found that communication skills and the ability to listen are what make leaders truly great. According to Harvard Professor Linda Hill and a new article out of HBR.org, none of the above qualities are what one really needs to be an effective leader.
Hill, an authority on leadership and author of Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation, claims that what truly makes a leader great is the willingness to enter into uncomfortable situations. Situations in which we have to adapt, learn, and grow in the moment are ultimately what develops confidence and the ability to inspire others.
From these experiences, Hill has identified eight common qualities that stand out more than others.
The first up in the list is authenticity. Showing up as your true self is essential if you plan on asking others to follow you. As Hill states; “Your competence is not enough; people need to trust your character and connect with you, otherwise they will not be willing to take risks with you.”
Second, curiosity. One trait that has been studied more often in leadership is the love of learning. Maintaining a state of curiosity, soaking up knowledge and having a willingness to explore uncharted territory ultimately aids in decision making as these individuals tend to have a broader world view.
Third, analytical prowess. When it comes to tough decisions, it’s about more than strong intuition. Great leaders will always stay informed and up to date on analytics, although they must walk the fine line and remain “data informed” instead of “data driven”.
Fourth, Adaptability. With the world changing faster than ever, this is a quality that everyone must possess, not just leaders. It is, however, especially important for those at the helm as it allows them to succeed when new challenges arise.
Fifth in line is creativity. When having to innovate or solve problems, Hill explains that often the best leaders are able to come up with solutions or ideas that are “adjacent possible”, meaning just outside of what is immediately in reach.
Sixth, comfort with ambiguity. This may be the most challenging as it is outside of the comfort zone of many of us. Maintaining confidence in the face of competing priorities or information may feel like “navigating through the fog”, as Hill states, but is essential to inspire others.
Seventh, resilience. Weathering the storm and adjusting to changing environments is essential, plain and simple.
And lastly, empathy. The ability to connect with others and truly understand their point of views is perhaps the most important of all. Developing emotional intelligence will not only make a better leader, but a better person as well.
Give the full article a read here for more information on developing these skills and growing as a leader.