There’s an entire industry of books and seminars founded on the assumption that if you just learn the right set skills and behaviors, you’ll be a leader (though which skills those are, few seem to agree on). I’m here to tell you there’s an easier way: pay attention to your existing leadership qualities.
I’ve spent over two decades helping women develop their leadership skills, and I’m honored that 100,000 professional women have dedicated time to their development by attending my workshops, webinars, and coaching programs. Along the way, I’ve seen how easy it is to get bogged down on the path to realizing our leadership potential. I frequently watch women be unaware of how much they already are a leader. Their internal monologue whispers, “But I’m not a leader yet,” when in fact they have bucketloads of leadership ability.
Claiming your value starts with understanding where your power comes from, and one of the best things you can do for your self-development is to identify all of the ways in which you are already a leader.
Here’s a list of 100 leadership qualities crowdsourced from 1,200 of my workshop participants, followed by a simple exercise you can use to uncover your signature leadership strengths. (Download a printable list here.)
100 Leadership Qualities
A leader is someone who:
1. Sees the big picture
2. Thinks strategically
3. Focuses on the future
4. Sets the vision
5. Sets the direction
6. Displays a strong business acumen
7. Strives for continuous improvement
8. Sees a cross-functional, cross-organizational view
9. Thinks critically
10. Focuses on the customer
11. Possesses strong interpersonal skills
12. Communicates with transparency
13. Sends clear messages
14. Speaks in an impactful way
15. Delivers effective speaking presentations
16. Gives open, honest, and direct feedback
17. Listens to understand
18. Asks the right questions at the right time
19. Manages crises and conflict with ease
20. Breaks down complex information in simple terms
21. Interacts comfortably with people at all levels
22. Stays positive and constructive during difficult conversations
23. Finds middle ground and a path forward
24. Goes above and beyond
25. Focuses on results
26. Likes to succeed
27. Drives results
28. Gets things done
29. Embraces and leads change
30. Acts decisively
31. Stays goal-oriented and solution focused
32. Makes decisions in times of ambiguity
33. Completes difficult tasks despite obstacles
34. Exudes energy and determination
35. Pushes for what she believes in
36. Embodies a positive attitude
37. Has tenacity and curiosity
38. Strives to accomplish what she commits to doing
39. Takes ownership
40. Takes charge and assumes responsibility
41. Sets high standards
42. Has excellent organizational skills
43. Takes risks
44. Is fearless
45. Exudes honesty and dependability
46. Wins trust
47. Earns respect
48. Collaborates
49. Operates with integrity and fairness
50. Has a thirst for learning
51. Shares know-how
52. Shows empathy
53. Is supportive and caring
54. Stays calm in difficult situations
55. Possesses leadership presence
56. Leads by example
57. Serves as a role model
58. Stands up for she believes in
59. Is an influencer
60. Inspires and empowers others
61. Motivates others during times of uncertainty
62. Influences without authority
63. Works across functions to get things done
64. Manages up, down, and across
65. Engages differing points of view
66. Builds teams and fosters teamwork
67. Instills a sense of community
68. Adapts her message to the environment
69. Rallies people to achieve a common goal
70. Creates a shared sense of purpose
71. Relates work to the organization’s goals
72. Motivates people and aligns them around team goals
73. Ensures team spirit is upbeat
74. Builds collaborative teams
75. Inspires people to act and move toward goals
76. Delegates
77. Sets clear expectations
78. Trusts others to do their jobs without micromanaging
79. Enables others to be successful
80. Removes obstacles from a team’s path
81. Gives positive and constructive feedback
82. Allows people to learn from mistakes
83. Develops strong talent
84. Mentors, coaches, and develops people
85. Empowers others
86. Provides people with the tools and autonomy to get things done
87. Acts as a strong advocate for those she manages and mentors
88. Gives credit where it is due
89. Celebrates others’ achievements
90. Rewards good performance
91. Creates opportunities for visibility
92. Attributes successes to those who contributed
93. Builds up team members and helps them grow
94. Understands the motivations of others to inspire them in their work
95. Identifies and utilizes others’ strengths
96. Encourages others to do their best
97. Cares about the well-being of the team
98. Enjoys seeing others succeed
99. Brings out the best in people
100.Helps others shine
You can download the list as a printable PDF here.
Exercise
Step 1: Read back over the list of 100 qualities with a more deliberate focus. Highlight all of the characteristics you recognize in yourself.
Step 2: Focusing on your strengths and innate leadership style, select 3 qualities you’d most like to own and be known for 12 months from today. It might help to group similar qualities (such as “Sets the vision” and “Sets the direction”) into one category.
Or share this list with a handful people who know you well. Ask: “Which three qualities best describe my leadership strengths?”
Step 3: Write down your three leadership strengths and put them somewhere where you’ll see them as a daily reminder. Look for everyday actions you can take to own the heck out of these three qualities.
Developing as a leader is not about changing yourself. It’s about becoming yourself. When you emulate someone else’s style, you cancel out your own. You feel like an imposter, and that’s no way to lead boldly and effectively.
Think of these key attributes as a platform from which you can lead, rise, and thrive—without selling out your soul. As you learn and grow, stay anchored in these strengths, and what you can uniquely contribute as a leader. Give yourself permission to show up as you are and grow from there.
Adapted from Woman of Influence: 9 Steps to Build Your Brand, Establish Your Legacy, and Thrive (McGraw-Hill) by Jo Miller.
This post first appeared at Forbes.com.
