5 Characteristics Great Leaders Need to Demonstrate Now
by Ellie Eckhoff, SVP & Laura Poisson, President
1. Empathy – Great leaders care about their people and show it in their ability to recognize, understand, and appreciate the way others feel during these unnerving times. Empathy is a critical component in building strong interpersonal relationships, and holding space for people to share how they are feeling will allow people to feel heard. They understand that asking a question is more powerful than giving advice, especially when there is stress in the system. Like other leadership skills, empathy can be improved through intentional effort. Practicing active listening and being more self-aware about their own emotions can help leaders tune in to the emotional state of others.
2. Inclusivity – Given the complexity a global pandemic has on business, leaders are tasked with reprioritizing goals and aligning talent strategies in an ever-shifting environment. Great leaders understand how to leverage their strengths and the talent on their teams; they assemble teams where input from others is expected and cultivated, and the contributions and skills of each person are valued. Asking members of their team “what talents they have that they don’t know about” is a great way to explore untapped talent.
3. Transparency – Open and honest communication builds trust and helps to avoid surprises. Great leaders understand the importance of sharing what they know, what they don’t know, and the path forward. Organizations thrive when the flow of information is two-way, and when it is factual, frequent, and clear. Communication should be consistent at all levels of the organization and demonstrated in thoughts, words, and actions.
4. Courage – Leading is a courageous act of stepping up, stepping out, and sometimes stepping back. Courageous leaders confront reality, show vulnerability, and make the right decisions even when they are hard. They champion people who are willing to challenge the “status quo” and bring creative ideas to the most pressing issues companies are facing today.
5. Resilience – Great leaders are adaptive. They anticipate setbacks, shift focus, maintain calm, and deliver on what matters. They see difficult situations as challenges to solve. They stay curious and maintain a growth mindset. They invest their energy in exploring possibilities and focus on what they can control. They maintain a healthy balance between realism and optimism, which is critical during a global pandemic.
