This tool might help you with Step 1: Set up a small group to lead the way
Before we give you some tips on qualities of good leadership, you might like to work through these questions on your own.
- Think back to two or three leaders you have admired. What are the qualities in them that make them a good leader?
- Think back to when you were a new member of a group. What actions by other group members led you to feel welcome and part of the group?
- What actions – or lack of action – might have made it difficult for you to settle and feel part of the group? (As this is an exercise in learning, not blaming, do this without naming people or organisations.)
- If you were compiling your own list of leadership qualities, what would you include?
Now you might like to compare your list with this one from Our Community. Our Community is a centre of excellence in supporting not-for-profit organisations and schools with advice, tools, resources and training. The list has been adapted from an article on their website and is used with their permission.
QUALITIES OF GOOD LEADERSHIP
Self-awareness: Knowledge of your own values, passions, skills, strengths and weaknesses. An ability to admit and learn from mistakes and to seek information to fill knowledge gaps.
Integrity: A strong sense of "what is right" and a demonstration of ethical practices that sets the tone for others. A commitment to leading by example.
Courage: The strength to act in accordance with your own values and the greater good, despite pressures pushing you in other directions. The ability to put your cause before the desire to be popular.
Confidence: A belief in your ability to meet most challenges that come your way.
Vision: A strong sense of where you are going as a person and where you think society, your community and your organisation should be going – and how it might get there.
Enthusiasm: A lively interest in the people, issues and events around you, a feeling of excitement about the possibilities, and the energy to guide them towards fruition.
Innovation: The ability to "think outside the box," take risks and develop new and effective solutions to old and emerging problems.
Wisdom: Intelligence coupled with insight and empathy.
Adaptability: A willingness to be flexible and to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, along with a commitment to continual learning – formal and informal – and the ability to put that learning into practice.
Strong inter-personal skills: An ability to interact and work harmoniously with others, while being prepared to take on individual responsibilities.
Effective communication: A willingness and ability to listen to and understand the thoughts, ideas and concerns of others and to clearly communicate your own. A vision is nothing if it can't be sold to others.
Belief in others: The desire to build the capabilities of others, praise them where appropriate, go into bat for them when appropriate, provide them with helpful feedback and motivate them to do their best.
Peer respect: An ability to inspire respect, allowing a person to capably lead discussions, maintain discipline and encourage the contribution of others.
Insight: The ability to see the big picture, coupled with a strong sense of what stage you are at along the path, and to be able to tune into problems before they arise or before they become insurmountable.
Sense of humour: The ability to laugh at yourself and relieve tense or stressful situations with humour.
Delegation skills: A willingness to trust others and hand over some responsibility.