What is the one quality you admire most in a leader and why? Can you share an example? (responses from coaches are prioritized)

When it comes to leadership, I believe that authenticity and self-awareness stand out as the most important qualities. A great leader knows who they are and isn't afraid to be themselves. This means being transparent about their strengths and weaknesses and understanding what makes them unique. The best leaders never try to fit into a mold, but instead, are always striving to be the best possible leader they can be. One of my favorite examples of an authentic and self-aware leader is top executive and bestselling author, Sheryl Sandberg. Her book, "Lean In," emphasizes the importance of resilience and grit. When leaders are authentic and self-aware, they inspire others to be the same. They create a culture of trust and openness. As a result, teams are more creative and engaged, and everyone feels like they have a stake in the organization's success. So if you want to be a great leader, start by becoming self-aware and being authentically yourself.

I most admire leaders who have balance. They know when to be direct and when to be diplomatic, when to span across domains staying at a high level and when to dig into the details like an expert. The ability to adjust to the people and the circumstances generates the best engagement from the most people and therefore better results.

The ability to find a balance between being results-focused and people-focused. I find that the most effective leaders are able to focus on the results they need to deliver, whilst also offering support and coaching along the way, to build their people and ensure they feel valued and supported. The leader who tries too hard to accommodate the needs of their team (at the expense of results) or the leader who sacrifices the wellbeing of their team to push for results, are two examples where I believe the balance is off.

The quality I most admire in a leader is “Control of Self.” When a leader has “Control of Self,” they have learned how to respond to situations based on values and principles instead of emotions. A leader must be proactive and able to lead themselves well first to be effective at leading and influencing others. When we are proactive and have control over self (emotions, choices, behaviors, habits, words, etc.) especially in stressful situations, our ability to lead at a high level increases exponentially. An example of this is a leader who accepts responsibility and works to find a solution when a project goes wrong, instead of losing their temper and yelling at their team members. A leader worth following realizes a proactive response to any situation will increase trust, increase influence, and increase respect with their followers.

One quality I admire in leaders is self-awareness, or the ability to know ourselves and how others see us. Self-aware leaders have a unique advantage in understanding their values, behaviors, and perceptions, which allows them to make more informed decisions and cultivate a positive work environment. I once coached a CEO who demonstrated remarkable self-awareness. During challenging times, instead of blaming external factors, he would take a step back to examine his own contributions to the situation. He openly acknowledged when he made mistakes and actively sought feedback from his team. This created an environment where team members felt comfortable doing the same, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement. Moreover, his self-awareness extended to recognizing the strengths of his team members and empowering them to thrive in their respective roles. As a result, the organization experienced significant growth and success under his tenure.

As a leader, the focus is to guide others to new levels of achievement and fulfillment. I believe it is essential and I have always admired individuals who understand and follow their lives passions and calling. If you truly want to make a dramatic positive impact in your life and the world around you, you have to tap into the unconscious drivers that make you special and unique. These are your special talents and gifts that provide you with unlimited inspiration and drive to overcome the challenges that most won't dare to face. When you research the great leaders through time, you will find that each of them had their own daily routine that supported the development and refinement of their beliefs. Passion and discipline are key. Together, they will help anyone enhance their performance while embracing integrity and joy. While you may not agree with his decisions, Elon Musk is someone I respect greatly for his fortitude and vision as a leader.

Vulnerability will distinguish you from many other leaders out there. When transitioning from an individual contributor role, vulnerability is required as you recognize and accept that you must learn new skills to succeed as a leader. The demands on leaders have changed over the years, and your most important responsibility is to motivate, engage, and develop your team members. You'll feel overwhelmed if you try to hang on to the day-to-day tasks AND lead your team. It's OK to admit you can't do it all. In fact, it's necessary to distinguish yourself as an effective leader.

The quality I most admire in a leader is visionary prowess, the ability to not only foresee the future but also vividly articulate it in a way that inspires and motivates their team. This capacity to encapsulate a compelling vision and bind the team around that shared objective is invaluable. Take, for instance, Rick South, the former Youth Pastor at HYM. His leadership style embodied this trait impeccably. South consistently painted a clear picture of his strategic direction for the youth group, explaining not only the 'what', but also illuminating the 'why' and outlining potential impacts. His articulate vision significantly influenced those under his leadership, fostering a steady and unified movement towards shared goals. His ability to use words as powerful tools for encouragement and motivation illustrates the immense impact of being a visionary leader.

Empathy is a critical trait that can significantly enhance leadership effectiveness. Here's why empathy makes us better leaders: Better Understanding: Empathy allows leaders to understand their team members' perspectives, emotions, and needs. This understanding helps leaders make informed decisions. Stronger Relationships: With empathy, they build stronger connections with their team members. This leads to increased trust, open communication, and a positive work environment where team members feel valued and understood. Effective Communication: Empathetic leaders are better at listening and communicating with their team. Conflict Resolution: Empathy enables leaders to approach conflicts with a more understanding and collaborative mindset. Long-term Success: Empathetic leaders tend to foster loyalty and commitment among their team members. While empathy is a powerful leadership trait, it's also essential for leaders to strike balance or it could lead to burnout.

I most admire a leader with humanity. Some characteristics and behaviors of leaders who lead with humanity are empathy, authenticity, humility, and respect. This is someone who recognizes that the deepest impact comes when they have attained the hearts and minds of followers rather than relying on legitimate power or authority. Sometimes, leaders forget that business exists for people, not people for business. Here's an example: Anne noticed that one of her team members, Clay, began missing some deadlines. Rather than threatening him, she first sought to understand by arranging a conversation to genuinely ask how he was doing. She discovered that he was struggling with some personal issues at home which impacted his concentration and work. Anne acknowledged the challenges and offered her support and solutions which allowed him the time and space to get better. Because of her human-centered approach, Clay felt seen and valued. He bounced back and was a valuable, loyal contributor.

"As somebody who both been led and been a leader, i have learnt that my favorite quality in a leader is the ability to listen. It is a simple tool, but an essential one that i believe every leader needs. Listening doesn't mean always agreeing or approving with whatever is said to you. It is simply allowing your team space to explain their ideas, explore suggestions, and put forward ideas that could be of great benefit to the business if they are good. As i mentioned, they ownt always be appropriate, but listening to people and discussing why or not can really help build a team members confidence, and keep them creatively engaged within their role. As a new worker, sometimes all you want is to feel like you have a voice, so listening can be extremely important in ensuring that person grows into their role and future career confidently"

The admirable quality of a leader is creating a positive influence on his/her team members. A good leader inspires and motivates others, fostering a supportive and uplifting environment. They lead by example, demonstrating integrity, empathy, and strong communication skills. Let's consider Andrew, as a basketball coach, his team was continuously losing matches and struggling with team morale. Apart from highlighting and focusing on each player's mistakes, he handled the situation in a different way. He established regular communication with the players during practice and team meetings. He talked about the importance of coordination and perseverance. This resulted in uplifting the team morale and absolute motivation, the players worked hard and the team started to play exceptionally.

As a life coach, the quality I admire most in a leader is empathy. Empathy creates an environment of trust, compassion, and mutual respect by allowing leaders to understand and share the feelings of others. For example, consider a client of mine who is a team manager. When a team member was struggling with personal issues, he didn't simply dismiss it as a 'personal problem.' Instead, they acknowledged the situation and provided adequate support, making adjustments to ease work pressure during a tough time. This act of empathetic leadership not only improved morale but also strengthened team cohesion. In essence, leaders who show genuine empathy aren't just 'bosses', they're trusted allies, guiding their team with understanding and compassion.

The quality I admire most in a leader is integrity. A leader with integrity is someone who is honest, trustworthy, and reliable. They have strong moral principles and they do the right thing, even when it's difficult or unpopular. They are also fair and consistent in their treatment of others. I believe that integrity is the foundation of good leadership. Without integrity, a leader cannot be trusted and they will not be able to build a strong team. Employees will not follow a leader who they do not trust. They will also be less likely to be motivated and engaged if they do not believe in the leader's vision.

Drawing from my own experience as a leader, I can say that one quality admire in a leader is humility. I believe that humility is the key because it allows leaders to acknowledge their limitations and actively seek input from their team members. An example that comes to mind is my interactions with the leaders I currently work with. Despite their impressive credentials, they approach every project with humility, genuinely listening to our ideas and feedback. This not only boosts our confidence but also leads to innovative solutions and a smoother process overall. Humble leaders inspire trust and foster a sense of camaraderie, paving the way for greater success and personal growth for everyone involved.

One quality I admire in leaders is their ability to create a culture of trust and respect. When employees feel valued and appreciated, their engagement and productivity skyrockets. I also admire leaders who are transparent and open with their employees. This helps to build trust and create a sense of shared ownership. I believe Arianna Huffington's example is among the best. She is the founder of The Huffington Post and Thrive Global and a strong advocate for workplace well-being. She has written extensively about the importance of sleep, exercise, and mindfulness. I believe that leaders who put the well-being of their employees first are essential for the future of work. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is absolutely neccessary that we create workplaces that are conducive to mental and physical health.

Leaders who are humble are my favorite type of leader because they are always open to new ideas and are willing to admit when something is wrong. When I was a new leader, I made a lot of mistakes because I didn’t have the right experience, and my team wasn’t always willing to help me out. A humble leader would listen to my concerns and give me advice on how to improve. A leader who is too cocky would never admit that they made a mistake, and they would be too stubborn to listen to others’ advice. That kind of leader would never be successful in the long run.

One quality I admire most in a leader is the ability to inspire and empower others. A great leader not only sets a clear vision and direction but also motivates their team to achieve greatness. An inspiring example is Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel laureate and education activist. Despite facing adversity and risking her life, she fearlessly advocated for girls' education, inspiring millions globally. Her unwavering determination, resilience, and ability to rally people around a cause highlight the transformative power of leadership. Leaders who uplift and encourage their teams foster a collaborative environment where individuals can reach their full potential, driving innovation and success.

Fearless decision-making is one unique ability that never ceases to amaze me. As a CEO who has crossed perilous terrain, I am convinced that the key to exemplary leadership is the capacity to make courageous decisions with conviction. Leaders who take measured risks and lead their teams into unexplored territory demonstrate an unmatched ability to spark innovation and advance society. Our organisation was at a fork in the road that required bold choices. Our leader led a risky turn that defied convention with unrelenting commitment. This daring action not only revived our brand but also sparked a wave of revolutionary adjustments across the whole sector.

Communication and Inspiration: I believe that leaders with exceptional communication abilities inspire and motivate their teams by conveying a compelling vision and nurturing a sense of purpose. Barack Obama, former president of the United States, used his eloquence and storytelling skills to captivate diverse audiences and garner support for transformative societal change.