Leadership steps up to the front of the room, or the microphone, in a time of crisis to calm and reassure.
Leadership exhibits confidence; there is a difference between confidence and cockiness, as well as confidence and arrogance. Confidence means knowing how to pivot with a purpose, and think outside the box.
Leadership is inspirational. It makes others want to rise to the occasion, and beyond.
Leadership communicates, effectively. Conveying information is not the same as communicating.
Leadership has empathy. Even the U.S. Army Field Manual for Leadership Development defines empathy as being a a critical leadership quality. In fact, the manual uses the word empathy no less than 20 times.
Leadership seeks diverse points of view. It does not take a “my way or the highway” attitude.
Leadership fosters cooperation. (See above.)
Leadership counsels, coaches, and mentors. It does not ignore or isolate.
Leadership embraces humility. Embracing humility does not equate exhibiting weakness. In fact, a weak person refuses to acknowledge where he or she has gone wrong or needs improvement. A weak person confuses ego with strength… and, ironically, stunts his or her own strength growth.
Leadership exhibits competence. That is self-explanatory.
Some say leaders are not born, they are made. I say it’s a bit of both.