12 Positive Attributes of Effective Leaders

Below are twelve positive leadership attributes that strengthen teams, organizations, and the performance of individuals

1. Vision: A visionary leader has a clear and compelling picture of the future they want to create. They effectively communicate that vision to others, inspiring them to work together to make it a reality.
2. Confidence: A confident leader instills trust and credibility in their team and can effectively navigate challenging situations and make tough decisions.
3. Empathy: An empathetic leader understands and connects with the emotions, needs, and perspectives of their team members, which helps to build strong relationships and foster a positive work environment.
4. Ethical & Honest: An ethical and honest leader sets a strong moral standard, inspiring trust and credibility in their team and stakeholders.
5. Decisive: A decisive leader can make sound and effective decisions, even in difficult or uncertain circumstances, which helps to provide stability and direction to their team.
6. Communicative: A communicative leader effectively shares their vision, goals, and expectations, as well as listens and responds to the feedback and concerns of their team.
7. Strategic: A leader with strong strategic thinking skills analyzes complex situations and makes informed decisions that support their organization’s long-term success.
8. Adaptable: An adaptable leader quickly adjusts to changing circumstances and successfully navigate through unexpected challenges, demonstrating resilience and flexibility.
9. Responsible: A responsible leader takes ownership of their decisions and actions and is accountable for the outcomes of their team.
10. Situationally aware: A situationally aware leader can effectively assess and respond to the changing environment, staying ahead of potential challenges and taking advantage of opportunities.
11. Stewardship: A leader with a stewardship-minded approach takes a long-term view and prioritizes the well-being of their organization over short-term gains, ensuring its sustainability and success.
12. Curiosity: A curious leader constantly seeks new information, perspectives, and ideas and is open to learning and growth, which helps to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

Assessment

Use this quick assessment to gauge the extent to which positive leadership attributes are being used.

Rating: 1=Never, 2=Rarely, 3=Often, 4=Always

1. Does the leader communicate their vision for the future to their team? _____
2. Does the leader demonstrate confidence in their decisions and actions? _____
3. Does the leader show understanding and empathy for their team members? _____
4. Does the leader set a strong moral standard and act with integrity and honesty? _____
5. Does the leader make decisions, even in challenging or uncertain situations? _____
6. Does the leader effectively communicate their goals and expectations and listen to feedback from their team? _____
7. Does the leader demonstrate strong strategic thinking skills when making decisions? _____
8. Does the leader adjust to changing circumstances and navigate through unexpected challenges? _____
9. Does the leader take ownership and accountability for their decisions and actions? _____
10. Does the leader assess and respond to the changing environment? _____
11. Does the leader prioritize the well-being and sustainability of their organization over short-term gains? _____
12. Is the leader seeking new information, perspectives, and ideas? _____

Results

• A score between 12–24 indicates an urgent need for improvement in the leader’s use of positive leadership attributes.
• A score between 25–36 suggests the leader uses some of these attributes but may still have room for growth.
• A score between 37–48 indicates the leader is effectively using most or all of these positive leadership attributes.

Note: The assessment can be completed by the leader themselves or by others who work with them, such as team members or colleagues, to provide insight into the extent to which the leader demonstrates positive leadership attributes. Remember that the score is not the only indicator of effective leadership and should be considered along with other factors, such as team feedback and results achieved.

The twelve positive leadership attributes mentioned above are crucial for effective leadership. A clear and inspiring vision sets the direction for the team. Confidence, empathy, and ethical behavior establish trust and credibility, while decisiveness and strategic thinking provide stability and direction. Adaptability, responsibility, situational awareness, and a stewardship-minded approach ensure resilience and sustainability. Curiosity and a continuous drive for learning and growth drive innovation and improvement. It’s unrealistic to assume a leader will embody all these attributes, but those who are deliberate and work towards them create a positive work environment, inspire their team, and drive organizational success.

The Lyderis Membership Site

Explore Lyderis, our exclusive online portal that provides access to Karl Bimshas Consulting’s various leadership resources to help you improve your leadership skills. Leadership development isn’t a luxury item, everyone has the potential to be a great leader, and as a valued subscriber of the Reflections on Leadership newsletter, I would like to offer you a one-week free trial. It is an excellent opportunity to access our library of leadership resources, including on-demand webinars, worksheets, and books, and participate in our online community and connect with other leaders.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Click here to take advantage of this offer and start your journey to unlocking your leadership potential.