What makes a good leader? Wow, I like this Bloganuary question.

Having just retired, I have a long list of leaders I’ve worked for. So I’ll use their examples of things that led me over the last 5 decades. Not all my leaders had these qualities. Some of the qualities I’m listing come from what BAD leaders didn’t have or do. But thankfully I’ve had some really great ones along that way that I’ll always be thankful for.

Leaders can be found at every level so I don’t think of them as just executives or bosses. I’ve seen people lead/manage from below many times over.

And just for clarity – I’ve worked for men and women leaders. I’ve worked for Black, White, Asian, German, Indian and Danish leaders. I’ve worked for former hard assed U.S. Marine leaders and Mom leaders. So I’ve also experienced a number of styles of leadership. None of those things matter, you either are a leader or your not. It doesn’t mean you have to be one all the time either but if you think you are you better be aware of the responsibility that comes with being one.

A good leader communicates with you: This may be #1,2,3 – Leaders should know you and what makes you tick. To do that they have to listen to you. A good leader also recognizes that the time with each person can and may need to be different. Some need positive reinforcement and others it would be just a bother. So communication means getting to know the person first, and then developing and learning and adjusting so you both are on the same page but still all the needed communications are going on, but without a ton of wasted time and meetings. Good leaders also recognize that people change and needs change over time.

Example: In my last decade of work I went back to an overnight shift. Our manager worked the day shift because they spanned multiple areas. The managers had realized I had the experience and knowledge to teach and help coordinate the team which was perfect because they were working day shifts and couldn’t be up overnight as we were. They let me take the lead on communications/coordination within the team and having worked in engineering for a long time together we made sure all the balls in the air weren’t dropped. There wasn’t a need for meetings, or face to face except the once a year review for me. We did weekly turnovers, nightly reports, responded to Slack messages and tons of email every night and they were all copied so we were all on the same page. But very rarely did we speak together or see each other.

A good leader will challenge, motivate and push you: I had a former marine as a boss once. People would ask how can you work for him, he’s on you like white on rice. It’s the way he did it though. What people saw was him challenging me to be better. He also did something as a good leader. If he had an issue it was just you and him in his office. No public dressing down. And the opposite was true outside the office door because he would praise an defend you like a Pitbull if you were doing the right things and your best.

A good leader has strength: I’ve seen some incredibly challenging situations where standing up in critical and very important situations to represent a position/action/person/direction and speaking up and carrying it through is totally inspirational. Lots of times these actions are little ones throughout the year that let people know you have courage and their backs. And I must interject this here. I’ve run into some incredibly strong women. Once that make a lot of men look like wimps. A suit and attitude does not make a leader.

A good leader will give credit where credit is due: They also will reward good work. Some good ones always give the team credit first and sometime entirely. There success is the teams success.

A good leader will say “Thank you”: Many times a simple thank you will do wonders for someone’s moral. It shows you are watching, recognizing and appreciating the work done. Thanks for working those holidays. Thanks for staying late for that emergency. Thanks for working this weekend. Thanks for working through your break today. Thanks for finishing that project early. Thanks for catching that before it blew up.

A good leader will look ahead and challenge you do to the same: Questions like where do you want to be next year, or 5 years down the road? In addition to the team goals what are your personal goals this year? A good leader might pair you up with a good mentor.

A good leader will not avoid conflict and face it head on: This is inevitable in jobs. Leaders are there to sort things out. Avoiding it is DISASTER. And I’ve seen some Disasters.

A good leader is flexible: Life is not always predictable. Good bosses understand that. Ones who ignore that aren’t leaders.

A good leader will connect first: Leaders who come from a position of authority and superiority first and then try to connect are lost. For they have made the statement “I’m better than you and have control over you and you serve me.” Well so they think.

A good leader will have consistency and integrity: Decisions and actions overtime bear these qualities out.

A good leader is usually a good coach: I’ve seen a lot of things taken from sports and applied to business successfully. They can handle situations with people and organizations at the same time, chart a course, adjust and adapt. And as one of my best friends phrases goes “take the glory off the field.”

A good leader has a good batting average: Leaders are making decisions all the time. Constantly in the batters box being evaluated on every pitch and hit. Yes every good leader may strike out once in a while but you know they hit for a great average so you can overlook one here and there.

A good leader will be honest and tell you tough things: This means things to help you improve yourself and the team.

Again, I’m thankful for some very wonderful leaders who touched my life. I still am in contact with all of them and most likely will be for life.