7 Qualities All Effective Leaders Have

There's no such thing as a bad team…

There are only bad leaders.

The direction the team takes, and its overall success, are a direct reflection of how well the team is being led.

Leaders shape companies…

Leaders shape communities…

Leaders shape nations…

Leaders shape the WORLD.

…and now more than ever…

We need people to step up, take ownership, and be leaders.

But what is it that makes a leader great?

Are they just born with the necessary skills to be a great leader?

No. Nobody is.

All great leaders have developed a set of qualities that YOU can develop too…

As long as you’re willing to put in the work.

Here are 7 characteristics that all great leaders have…

1. They Are Committed To Making The People Around Them Better

When you're a leader...

Your focus shouldn't be on you and your success...

Your focus should be on the success of the people you are leading.

Your job is to lead and develop high-quality people in order to accomplish a mission.

That's why all great leaders place a huge emphasis on helping their team become better.

It doesn't matter whether it’s in their relationships…

Their career…

Their finances…

Or anything in between…

Great leaders will do anything to make sure they are providing the tools, the advice, the resources, and the knowledge for their team to improve in any area of life.

This also helps the leader build solid bonds and gain respect from everyone on the team.

Ultimately, they understand that if they can replicate people of character who are all committed to rowing the boat in the same direction...

They can accomplish the mission a lot more efficiently.

2. They Hold Others Accountable

All great leaders have high standards, and demand that their team meets those standards as well.

They do not accept mediocrity in the smallest amount…

...especially not from themselves.

That’s why they don’t mind holding other people accountable for their actions or lack of action.

If somebody shows up late…

They hold them accountable to not showing up late again.

If somebody isn’t putting in enough effort…

They hold them accountable to put forth more effort.

If somebody decides to cut a corner and be lazy…

They hold them accountable for meeting the standards and expectations every single time.

Great leaders understand that if the team is going to perform at its absolute best...

They have to keep everyone accountable to executing at the highest level possible.

3. They Are Clear In Their Communication

When it comes to addressing members of the team…

Great leaders know how to communicate in a way that is direct and clear.

By doing this, they are eliminating time wasted on beating around the bush to avoid hurting other's feelings…

…and they are laying out a clear expectation for what needs to be done.

They get straight to the point in a very direct manner.

While most people may think of this as "rude" and "unnecessary"...

Great leaders know how important it is to be effective and make sure that the task gets carried out exactly as intended.

4. They Take Initiative

It doesn’t matter what position they play…

What role they’re in…

…and whether there are people above or below them…

Great leaders always take initiative to do what needs to get done, regardless of whether it’s their responsibility or not.

If they see a piece of trash on the ground…

They pick it up.

If something isn't getting done…

They fill in the gap.

By taking initiative to fix the problems that come up...

They are setting an example for everyone else on the team to do the same.

5. They Are Coachable

Great leaders are willing to accept constructive criticism from anyone on the team.

They have the humility to recognize that they don’t know everything...

...and that some people have knowledge and perspective that they don’t.

This helps the leader improve themselves to become even better.

The real driver behind this characteristic is humility.

You have to be humble in order to accept constructive criticism.

Realize that you don't know everything...

...and understand that you have a lot to improve on.

Because if you don't have humility...

You can't be a great leader.

6. They Lead By Example

Leading by example isn’t just the best way to lead…

It’s the only way to lead.

That’s why all the best leaders aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and get in the mix.

Your team will only respect you if you are doing the work with them.

Not to mention, you get to set the standard for exactly how you want it done.

Great leaders don't bark orders.

They get involved...

...and show everyone else on the team how to get things done through their own actions.

7. They Are Willing To Do Any Job

Great leaders will always mop the floor if it needs to get done.

It doesn’t matter if they are a base-level employee or the CEO…

If they see a problem, they fix it…

…and on top of that…

They have the skills necessary to teach and fill in for any role on their team.

They’re never too big to take care of any task they are presented with.

This goes hand in hand with leading by example.

If you expect your team to do it...

You have to be willing to do it as well.

Never ask anything of your team that you wouldn't do yourself.

You Can Be A Great Leader

Like I said earlier...

It doesn't matter where you fit within your organization or team...

You can be a great leader from any position.

All you have to do is emulate the characteristics of a great leader.

Just remember...

Nobody is a born leader.

Leadership is a skill that will take you years and years to build and fine-tune.

Even then, there will always be more to learn.

But if I can do it...

So can you.

Step up and start leading today.

The world needs it.