How many articles have you read on what makes a great leader?  Dozens I suspect. Do you remember how many conversations you have had with colleagues or HR on the skills that define leadership?  It’s a topic that we all talk about and want to identify the mystical quality that makes someone a great leader, believing that if you knew the secret all of your leaders could become outstanding leaders.

I wish I could give you the secret sauce…what great leaders do differently than others so you could infuse them with all of the qualities and skills.  But I can’t give you that information because it isn’t about what skills they have, what techniques they have learned or what they do, it’s about who they are as human beings.  

My belief is that how we choose to treat other people, how we choose to be in relationships with other human beings tells us everything we need to know about that person.  Sure someone can be more dogmatic in their professional than personal life, and yes they can be a bit more of a hard ass at work than at home. But you will never convince me that the person who is warm, caring and loving in their personal life is a snake in the grass at work, or vice versa.  Who we are is who we are.

Which brings me to the signs that will identify someone as a great leader, and someone who has the potential to be a great leader.

1. 1. They care more about people than results.  Ok, I’m not saying results aren’t important, of course they are.  Great leaders recognize that people are key, that they are the most important asset they have and at times all of us fall down, make mistakes, are imperfect…are human beings.  With this belief they focus on what the individual needs to get the results whether it’s training, more communication, help or anything else.

1. 2. Listening is an innate skill.  They don’t listen simply to hear and understand, they listen with complete desire to engage the other person, to be connected to them at the heart level and to ensure the other person feels connected to them.  Listening is second nature to them, part of their DNA, not something they learned.

1. 3. Transparency at all levels.  Sharing good news is easy.  Being honest and forthright is less so yet great leaders do all the time.  This goes beyond sharing news about the state of affairs at the company, or changes that will impact the staff.  Great leaders believe that if you care about someone you have to care enough to tell them what they need to hear about their performance or attitude or anything else.    

Tom Landry said “A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, who has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.” 

1. 4. Willing to show/be vulnerable.  No one is perfect, especially those who think they are.  What you will notice about great leaders is they are willing to admit mistakes, they are willing to be vulnerable and don’t see this as a weakness but as a strength.  

1. 5. They connect with others at the heart level, not the head.  What matters to them is people…how they feel, how they think, what makes them tick…they genuinely are interested in other people.  And this shows in their interactions. People walk away from conversations feeling connected, heard, understood and cared about.  

Can you change who you are?  At your core probably not. You can however learn your leadership style and assess whether the style you are displaying is true to who you are.  Maybe you’ll discover that you aren’t using your best gifts and talents.  

Want to know more?  Take our leadership quiz and find out your leadership style so you can determine if how you come across to others is truly who you are, and what to do about it if it isn’t.