What Do Good Leaders Have That Bad Leaders Lack?

We’ve all seen examples of bad leaders, whether political, business, military, or other. They’re hardly in short supply, and their blundering often results in staggering losses for, among others, investors, taxpayers, or employees. Businesses teeter and sometimes fail, commitments are made but not kept, and ethical and professional standards may be compromised for expediency or self-interest. Meanwhile, others directly or indirectly suffer because of the misguided actions (or inactions) of poor leaders. On the other hand, good leaders seem to be able to navigate the sometimes stormy seas with a clear head and a steady hand, all with an evident focus and sense of direction.

So what’s the difference? What do the good leaders possess that separate them from the others?

Good leaders have many differentiating qualities, to be sure. The big difference, in my opinion, does not necessarily reside in the sheer number of personal or professional qualities that a good leader may possess. Instead, it’s more the extent to which that leader can call upon and utilize those qualities at the right times and in the right dosages. Is it professional competence? No, bad leaders are often very technically savvy. Is it personal integrity? No, some bad leaders are upstanding citizens in virtually every way. Well then, could it be assertiveness? No, bad leaders are often the loudest, most obnoxious, most in-your-face people that can be found.

Then what separates the wheat from the chaff?

I would suggest the following, with the caveat that this list is hardly all-inclusive. It is, however, based upon my own experience as a business leader and a military officer:

• Ability to communicate. Good leaders are good communicators. They can persuade, convince, cajole, and inspire with their words and their body language. When conditions sometimes go from good to bad, they communicate even more rather than retreating into a shell. They speak the truth, always, even when it’s hot, hard, and unvarnished. They have credibility and they are trusted because their actions always follow their words.
• Courage. Good leaders are smart and energetic and focused, but they are also brave. They take calculated risks where others hesitate. They keep driving and pushing, especially when the obstacles seem insurmountable. They don’t make excuses.
• Vision. Good leaders can see opportunities where others see only problems, if indeed they see anything at all. Good leaders have a mental image of what it is they want to create, what it will take to create it, and the benefits that will derive from it. Drive, focus, and discipline may follow, but it all starts with a vision.
• Unselfishness. Good leaders are not without personal ambition, but they are also not so consumed with their own success that they fail to share the credit with others. The unselfish leader will typically enjoy a level of support in an organization that the selfish leader will never recognize or benefit from.

Being a leader isn’t an easy calling. It’s often hard and lonely and stressful. But the rewards and the satisfaction are great. Possession of the above traits alone won’t guarantee that you’ll be a good leader. But without them, your ability to separate yourself from the others will be considerably more difficult.