Qualities Employees Love in Their Leaders

There is a stark contrast between a boss and a leader; a boss supervises employees, makes decisions and exercises authority, while a leader guides, directs, motivates and inspires. There are a number of common leadership qualities that every good leader must possess to manage a successful and productive team.

Communication is a vital quality that every good leader must practice. A productive leader communicates the goals of the organization and the priorities of his department to his employees. He must be able to establish rapport and build trust with his employees. The lines of communication should be open, and his staff should feel comfortable coming to him with issues, concerns or suggestions. The supervisor should also provide open and honest feedback to his employees to show his appreciation, let them know if they’ve made a mistake, or express an interest in their growth and development within the organization.

Along with communicating well, a good leader also knows when to back off and allow his employees to exercise some freedom. Employees become annoyed with a supervisor who micromanages every detail and constantly stands over their shoulders, and this behavior also displays a lack of trust. A leader who encourages independence by empowering his employees and providing them with the training, tools and resources they need to perform their jobs sees a staff that is more motivated and productive in meeting goals.

Generosity, fairness and compassion are three very important qualities for a good leader to display. A supervisor who shows his appreciation for hard-working employees makes them feel valued, resulting in a staff that is inspired to keep up its successes. A leader who is fair and honorable even in difficult situations earns the respect of his employees, while a supervisor who listens compassionately and helps his employees solve problems is more personable and builds a trusting relationship with his subordinates.

Passion is another key quality of a good leader. When a supervisor shows enthusiasm and excitement for the success of the organization and the projects he is involved in, his subordinates become encouraged to feel and behave the same way. Good supervisors lead by example, and positivity is infectious.

A good leader can also admit his weaknesses and show an interest and desire to improve his own skills. Investing time in a professional development course or specialized training allows a supervisor to prove that he wants to better himself as both a leader and a component of the organization, and this inspires employees to do the same.

A person in power who exercises these positive leadership qualities inspires his staff, creating a workplace that is effective, productive and driven. Good leaders motivate employees to produce high-quality work and remain loyal to their organizations.

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