I read a very interesting article on the subject of being a great leader: 9 hidden qualities only exceptional bosses possess.
The author hits some very key points. A lot of it goes back to trust and credibility. As a boss/manager/leader, what is and what is perceived about you? Do you genuinely care and listen to your team? Do you allow them to grow, learning lessons along their progression? Do you seek to understand the why behind actions or simply try to cover things over?
These are the things that separate people who want the “glory and power” of being a manager from the people who strive to be great leaders. Leaders are about the team and not just themselves.
They [great bosses] feel supporting their employees — even if that shines a negative spotlight on themselves — is the right thing to do and is therefore unremarkable.
One of the great points, for me, that was made in this article is that great bosses do not see control as a reward. I had never thought about it from this perspective, but it is so true. People that want to become a manager because they deserve the control and are going to make things right are rarely good managers. Their motivation is in the wrong place. Being a great manager is about wanting to support your team not control them. It’s about nurturing and guiding. It’s making the time and effort to commit to individual’s development, hopefully in alignment with the company’s greater good.
To be a truly exceptional leader is to be selfless.
That’s why there are so few.
