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The 21 Leadership Qualities
The 21 Leadership Qualities describe who a leader is. Each quality can be developed – and each one changes how well you live the laws.
Character
Character is the solid foundation of every leader.
Charisma
Charisma is the ability to win people over to yourself and your cause – and it can be learned.
Commitment
Without commitment, no one can become an outstanding leader.
Communication
Great communicators make complicated things simple.
Competence
Competence convinces through words, deeds, and the feasibility of what is said.
Courage
Courage doesn’t mean having no fear, but acting in spite of it.
Discernment
Many people believe half of what they hear. Good leaders know which half.
Focus
If you chase two rabbits, both will get away.
Generosity
Nothing wins people over more than a leader’s generosity.
Initiative
Success is always tied to action.
Listening
60 percent of management problems stem from poor communication – mostly from poor listening.
Passion
Only those who truly love their work can succeed.
Positive Attitude
A leader’s behavior springs from their attitude.
Problem Solving
Those who can solve problems gain influence very quickly.
Relationships
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Responsibility
Genuine leaders take responsibility – for themselves and for their people.
Security
People trade their loyalty for security.
SelfDiscipline
The first person a leader must lead is themselves.
Servanthood
Strong leaders put the well-being of others first.
Teachability
The ability to lead is closely tied to the ability to learn.
Vision
A vision is an emotionally compelling picture of the future that sparks an inner yes.
Every quality in one sentence
| No. | Quality | Key idea | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Character | Character is the solid foundation of every leader. | Character |
| 2 | Charisma | Charisma is the ability to win people over to yourself and your cause – and it can be learned. | Charisma |
| 3 | Commitment | Without commitment, no one can become an outstanding leader. | Commitment |
| 4 | Communication | Great communicators make complicated things simple. | Communication |
| 5 | Competence | Competence convinces through words, deeds, and the feasibility of what is said. | Competence |
| 6 | Courage | Courage doesn’t mean having no fear, but acting in spite of it. | Courage |
| 7 | Discernment | Many people believe half of what they hear. Good leaders know which half. | Discernment |
| 8 | Focus | If you chase two rabbits, both will get away. | Focus |
| 9 | Generosity | Nothing wins people over more than a leader’s generosity. | Generosity |
| 10 | Initiative | Success is always tied to action. | Initiative |
| 11 | Listening | 60 percent of management problems stem from poor communication – mostly from poor listening. | Listening |
| 12 | Passion | Only those who truly love their work can succeed. | Passion |
| 13 | Positive Attitude | A leader’s behavior springs from their attitude. | Positive Attitude |
| 14 | Problem Solving | Those who can solve problems gain influence very quickly. | Problem Solving |
| 15 | Relationships | People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. | Relationships |
| 16 | Responsibility | Genuine leaders take responsibility – for themselves and for their people. | Responsibility |
| 17 | Security | People trade their loyalty for security. | Security |
| 18 | Self-Discipline | The first person a leader must lead is themselves. | Self-Discipline |
| 19 | Servanthood | Strong leaders put the well-being of others first. | Servanthood |
| 20 | Teachability | The ability to lead is closely tied to the ability to learn. | Teachability |
| 21 | Vision | A vision is an emotionally compelling picture of the future that sparks an inner yes. | Vision |