The 5 Most Underrated Qualities of Good Leadership

Companies and their employees expect certain things from their leaders. Traditionally, being a good leader has meant providing direction to subordinates, gracefully managing deadlines through proper delegation, monitoring team performance, and ensuring key performance indicators (KPIs) are met.

Leaders who meet these expectations are assumed to be:

  • Well-organized
  • Able to direct and influence others
  • Excellent problem-solvers

While these assumptions remain common today, the definition of good leadership has also evolved. Leaders must also motivate their teams by fostering a positive working environment and addressing concerns about productivity.

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Re-Thinking Good Leadership

Good leaders continue to learn and grow to enhance their leadership qualities. However, as the role of leaders has evolved in many organizations, some essential leadership traits don’t garner enough attention. 

Below, we consider five underrated good leadership qualities that managers and company leaders should consider emulating:

1. Humor

Humor is one of the most powerful yet underrated leadership traits that contribute to positive work collaborations in various ways. It’s not about telling a funny joke; it’s about a positive, light-hearted approach to interacting with those you lead. It means taking the job seriously without taking yourself too seriously.

Benefits of Humor in Leadership:

  • Humor lowers people’s guard and lifts their spirits.
  • It creates a relaxed and motivating environment, increasing productivity and job satisfaction.
  • Humor makes leaders more approachable, fostering trust and respect. 
  • It develops rapport with employees.

Humor as a Tool:

  • Humor diffuses tension and resolves conflict.
  • It relieves stress, helping leaders and employees relax and think more clearly.
  • Humor improves decision-making under pressure.

Incorporating humor effectively can unify teams, improve communication, and cultivate a positive and productive work environment. 

2. Intuition

Another underrated quality of a good leader is intuition, or the ability to understand something immediately without conscious reasoning. It stems from past experiences, personal encounters, and knowledge. Everyone has some level of intuition; good leaders act on it.

Why Intuition Matters:

  • Intuition facilitates quick, effective decision-making, especially in high-stakes scenarios when there isn’t enough time for exhaustive analysis.
  • It cuts through noise to reach the core of an issue.
  • Intuition serves as a competitive advantage.

Leaders who use intuition alongside logic achieve greater success than those who rely solely on data and reason. Their intuition is a valuable resource and competitive advantage.

3. Vulnerability

Building strong team relationships often depends on a leader being relatable. Vulnerability plays a key role.

Why Vulnerability Is Important:

  • Vulnerability demonstrates authenticity and openness and builds trust. 
  • It shows leaders are human, creating a strong connection among team members.
  • Vulnerability encourages accountability by modeling that it is okay to acknowledge and learn from mistakes.

When leaders model vulnerability, they invite collaboration and create an environment where people feel safe sharing ideas and comfortable taking risks.

4. Empathy

Empathy goes beyond listening to recognizing and addressing the emotions and perspectives of others. 

Empathy in Practice:

  • Empathy helps leaders be more present by relating to the experiences and emotions of others.
  • It improves communication and reduces misunderstandings.
  • Empathy boosts morale because team members feel respected and their well-being is valued.

Teams led by empathetic leaders are more engaged and motivated, resulting in constructive conversations, confidence in carrying out tasks, and improved team performance.

5. Inclusivity

Inclusivity means making a conscious effort to ensure everyone is heard and valued. Leaders prioritizing inclusivity create an environment where all employees feel respected and empowered.

Why Inclusivity Matters:

  • It fosters diverse perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions.
  • Inclusivity builds a culture of trust, respect, and belonging.
  • It maximizes team skills and encourages collaboration.

How Leaders Can Promote Inclusivity:

  • Actively listen and help team members feel that their opinions and input matter. 
  • Create space to welcome various viewpoints and experiences.
  • Address biases and promote fairness in decision-making and policies.

Inclusive leaders unlock team potential, increase engagement, and improve retention.

Nurturing Leadership Qualities Through Coaching

Leadership is complex and multifaceted, making it challenging to define the qualities of a good leader. One certainty, however, is that acquiring skills alone isn’t enough; effective leadership also requires a certain level of emotional intelligence and the ability to reach out and motivate employees.

These five underrated qualities of good leadership — humor, intuition, vulnerability, empathy, and inclusivity — are significant in inspiring and motivating teams. While these traits might seem unconventional, their impact on leader effectiveness is undeniable.

But how can leaders develop these characteristics? Through targeted coaching and development programs.

The Co-Active Leadership Development Program offers an exceptional opportunity for people to develop these underrated qualities of good leadership. Our coaching programs provide unbiased feedback and guidance, enabling leaders to implement positive change, identify areas for improvement, and communicate their vision more effectively. By working with skilled coaches, leaders can set clear goals for themselves and their teams and develop greater self-awareness.

In addition, coaches can support and guide company leaders in overcoming challenges, learning new skills, and building emotional intelligence. With the support of Co-Active Training Institute programs, leaders can cultivate these essential qualities and become more connected, effective, and successful in their roles.

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