Three basic traits a good leader must have

A management position brings with it many requirements and great responsibility. Your subordinates must respect you and you must have sufficient authority over them; otherwise, you cannot realise your plans. If you want to be promoted to a leader, or you are preparing for the position of a team manager, you must have at least the following three most essential personal traits: without them, a team leader can never be successful.

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The following necessary traits of managers and leaders were highlighted at the All Business website.

Emotional balance

The ability to control your emotions and use them to your own benefit and for effective communication is absolutely essential when it comes to leading others. The idea some people have that a manager should always be stoically calm is fallacious: in reality, leaders have to react appropriately in terms of their emotions. Depending on the situation, leaders may display enthusiasm or be suitably strict in order to reach a desired goal. Then when communicating with subordinates, the manager is able to inspire them on a particular issue.

Consistency in activity

The same approach towards all employees, a consistent stance and adherence to the priorities of the company: all these are characteristics a good leader must have. On no account should managers be moody or unpredictable. They must be able to define clearly what is expected of the employees; they should also establish unambiguous criteria for the evaluaton of workers' performance.

Faith in one's own abilities

Self-esteem is a must for a leader. Manager must be respected by their subordinates, and natural authority is not possible without a healthy self-confidence. One of the main tasks of a leader is to inspire the employees and to convey their vision and enthusiasm to the team.

Leaders who do not even believe in themselves can hardly be expected to convince others. There are also secondary traits connected to self-confidence that are necessary for the position of a leader: quick decision making, correct judgment, and effective and quick action-taking.

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Article source AllBusiness - a U.S. website and community for small businesses
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