How to Identify a Great Workplace Leader

If you’re in charge of recruiting new talent for an organization, it’s up to you to quickly analyze whether that person is a good match for that particular company. While experience and talent is important, a recruiter should also be on the lookout for individuals who have the potential to be great leaders for that brand. Whether they have decades of experience managing a staff or are up and coming professionals, here are some defining characteristics of an employee who can turn into a powerful workplace leader:

Honesty

A good leader, whether their position is formally assigned or informal, needs to adhere to an ethical code in order to steer the company in the right direction. Other employees tend to follow the example set by their leaders, so those who focus on honesty and ethics will inspire the rest of the team to do the same.

The ability to delegate successfully

No matter how capable a leader is, someone who tries to handle each and every task on their own will quickly burn out. A person who takes on a leadership role successfully must have the ability to delegate tasks to other members of the team. Many people struggle with this, either because they like to be in charge of the tasks themselves or because they worry that others will not adhere to the same standards that they have. Regardless of the reason, a successful leader must overcome these hang-ups in order to keep their own workload manageable.

Strong communicator

Other team members rely on leaders to help them understand goals, tasks, and plans. Many people have a clear picture about how a course of action should take place in their mind, but have trouble conveying these ideas to other members of the team. A successful leader should have the ability to explain a plan clearly, answering any questions that others may have along the way. If the plan starts to get off track, they must have the ability to communicate with others in order to correct the situation.

A sense of humor

Unfortunately, even the most carefully laid plans can go awry. Equipment may break, clients have unreasonable expectations, and employees make mistakes. A good leader should be able to take these mishaps in stride, continuing on with a positive attitude. A person who will serve as a positive role model in the company will not break down and cry, blame everyone else for issues, or refuse to accept responsibility for anything. They should be even-keeled and patient.

Confidence

All businesses go through periods of struggle, but the right leader for an organization will not let this get to them. A person who begins to waver at the first sign of trouble will probably not have the guts and heart to continue in the long run.

What are some of the most important traits that you think a leader needs to have? Let us know in the comments.