Leadership Thought #476 – Five Traits That Separate the Best Leaders From the Pack

What are the traits of high-performing leaders?

Due to my line of work, I am fortunate to spend time with many successful individuals and conduct further study and research on the topic. One theme that runs through my experience/research is that financial success (while important) is not the primary driver of an individual business leader’s success. It is more of an outcome of doing something else well and caring about how you do it. The money is nice (and deserved), but it doesn’t motivate most of them to get up and go in the morning. Five traits have emerged as indicative of a leader’s potential to separate themselves from the pack:

• They take immense pride in their work and strive to be the best at it.
• They take on solving problems that most people would rather avoid.
• They aim to make a tangible, positive difference in the lives of others.
• They view leadership as a privilege rather than a burden.
• They continually push themselves to learn, grow, and get better.

It may sound trite, but most people I know who excel in a particular area tend to care deeply about being the best. They are not okay with the concept of “good enough.” It is rarely a reaction to what their competition is doing, but more because they are hardwired for achievement. They can be their own worst critics and push those around them to strive for excellence. Work is not a 9-to-5 concept and never will be if there is room for improvement. Typically, the business they are in defines them in some way and reflects their core values. They do take success and failure personally and wouldn’t see it any other way.

Problem-solving is a key part of a leader’s responsibilities. Problems never go away. The best you can hope for, as one of my colleagues is fond of saying, is to “get better problems.” Solving complex problems is what sets you apart from the rest. Frequently, the people I work with who struggle or achieve only moderate success are the ones who view problem-solving as onerous. If anyone can do your job, then there is nothing special about it or you. Thinking through and implementing solutions to complex problems is challenging work, but it is also joyful and rewarding when done well. Leadership is not supposed to be easy. It is how we address our challenges and problems that defines us in life and work.

Success shared with others is much more enjoyable than keeping it all to yourself. I’ve seen clients and coworkers glow when they discuss their impact on others. They are big on using “we” and rarely use “I” when it comes to crediting results. This type of attitude is always infectious. It is as if they take more pride in seeing others benefit than in reaping the rewards themselves. In today’s fast-paced, complex world, talent will always have options. Identifying, cultivating, and keeping talent is an essential skill that many leaders lack. Moreover, if you genuinely care about your clients and solve their problems, they will respond in kind. People get it when you care about them.

Leading others is no easy skill. Only a small minority of the population has any natural inclination toward it, to begin with. While we are all quick to criticize, few of us are willing to risk the scrutiny and pressures of leadership ourselves. The best leaders seize this opportunity and view it as a privilege rather than a burden. They are the first to volunteer their time/energy. They are the first to take on responsibility. They also take the initiative when others hesitate to take action. They enjoy marshaling the talents and efforts of other people. Rallying people around a common objective is what motivates them. They’ll say they feel lucky and privileged to do it if you ask.

Finally, the best leaders are never satisfied with the status quo. They are constantly pushing the envelope as to what’s possible (personally and professionally). Intuitively, they understand that comfort is the enemy of progress. They keep moving forward. Professional development is a necessity, not a luxury, for them. They have a thirst for learning, growing, and applying this information to the betterment of their organization. All great leaders understand that they set the performance standard and then must lead by example.

It makes me happy when a good leader achieves great success. They always deserve it. Paradoxically, the one time they are shy is usually when the spotlight is on them and what they have done. They are inclined to credit others. To them, the work is its reward. They are prone to puncture their own bubble and avoid pedestals like the plague. They lead because they want to make a positive difference and effectively leave their mark. Wealth is one of many metrics they use to assess their value and business impact, but usually not the most important one.