As the world grapples with rapidly changing technology, a tumultuous economy and shifting workforce priorities, the need for leaders to adapt is more critical than ever. But amid all the disruption there are six foundational traits that leaders must have no matter how fast circumstances are changing around them.
According to Robert L. Dilenschneider, author of The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence: Everything You Need to Know, the following six characteristics are essential for leaders from all walks of life, whether you’re in the classroom or the boardroom.
- The ability to build strong relationships. While technology has revolutionized communication, genuine personal relationships still hold immense power. Identify key stakeholders, understand their backgrounds and cultivate genuine connections. Make a list of people you would like to know in your field or other realms, then narrow that list to a manageable number. Research their backgrounds, such as where they went to school, what boards they serve on and their charitable causes. Then, find ways to regularly connect with them.
- A sense of clarity around personal values. With the dizzying pace of everything from technology to communication, one element must remain constant—our values, says Dilenschneider. We must continue to give attention to our conscience, our core principles and our values as these are what give us true guidance.
Write down your core values so that you can check now and then to make sure your behavior is consistent with those values. When they are aligned, they become your compass, and your unique purpose (or purposes) becomes achievable.
- Integrity (especially when it’s hard). Integrity isn’t just a trait—it’s a legacy, says Dilenschneider, who emphasizes that during changing times, integrity serves as a beacon of trust and respect.
- Clear, concise and persuasive communication. In our information-saturated age, clarity is paramount. It doesn’t matter how good your ideas are, or how eloquently they’re stated, if the listener can’t understand your meaning. Tailor your message, avoid clichés and always prioritize precision, says Dilenschneider.
- Inclusiveness beyond buzzwords. Diversity and inclusion might be trending terms, but their essence is foundational to effective leadership, says Dilenschneider. Today’s leaders need to bring together diverse teams made up of lots of unique perspectives. Not only is this the right thing to do, it ensures a richer, more holistic decision-making process and makes your organization more prepared to tackle modern challenges.
- Humility—the unsung hero of leadership. Leaders often feel like they have to be the ones with all the answers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Effective leaders get the best results when they have the humility to seek feedback and guidance from others.
As Dilenschneider says, in a world of continuous disruption, we need steadfast leaders more than ever. Committing to mastering the traits of effective leadership is both a great responsibility but also a source of great satisfaction.
