The personal values of a good leader are absolute desires they develop from their convictions to guide the way they lead others. Good leaders develop values from their core beliefs of what is important to them and those they lead. One’s values can be different from others. And someone can share the same values that end up eliciting different behaviors.
However, leaders need to have a standard set of values to serve them as guiding principles in leading others. The list of values is long, but the following are the best personal values a good leader:
Here are the best personal values of a good leader:
1. Authenticity
Authenticity is about being true to who you are. You do not have to be someone else so, know who you are, and be true to that. You do not need to worry about judgments from other people or judging yourself.
2. Integrity
All good leaders have integrity. You cannot be an effective leader if you lack integrity because it is the foundation of good leadership.
No matter how difficult the situation, good leaders lead others without violating their principles. Also, good leaders do not make false promises or lie for personal gains.
3. Honesty
You have to be truthful with yourself, ensuring that you honor your promises and avoid lying. People want their leaders to be honest to be trusted. Therefore, honesty is probably the most valuable trait for everyone that leads others.
Read also: What is the Role of a Leader?
4. Patience
Patience is the ability to control your reactions to the situation and endure the consequences without complaining. Patience is necessary for excelling in a modern competitive work environment.
Because nowadays, leaders face constant pressure that forces them to become impatient and make hasty decisions. Being patient allows you to weigh up things or consider various factors before you decide.
5. Gentle power
Gentle power is the art of using soft diplomacy to achieve a goal. It is not getting results through force or coercion but persuasion. Many managers talk tough as a way of holding people accountable, demanding different things all the time.
But the way you put your message across to you people as a leader can reveal your intentions if they are good or bad. It is therefore essential that you communicate diligently as necessary and always keep an open mind.
6. Transparent
Transparency hinges on your ability to be open and honest. It is an essential component of good leadership. When a leader is transparent, you invite trust because you have nothing to hide.
A transparent leader shares information seeks advice or feedback and is generally open about their day-to-day work activities.
When you are transparent, you get good feedback on your actions and decisions. You take in all the advice and adjust if necessary for a better outcome.
Practicing transparency breeds trust, which is the foundation of great teamwork. If a team member is underperforming, let the person know without being malicious. You achieve nothing by not giving people the guidance and support they need to improve.
7. Fairness
All people have their personal biases. However, a good leader is aware that prejudice tendencies can destroy their credibility and team dynamics.
That is why whenever making decisions, they try to consider many factors before deciding. Good leaders are fair to all employees and always create opportunities for everyone to succeed.
8. Gratitude
Gratitude means being grateful. It is a warm feeling you express towards someone for doing the right thing. Showing gratitude is a simple thing.
As a leader, you must always complement and thank people for trying to do the right things, not only when they achieve the target.
9. Empathy
Empathy is not sympathy. You do not have to feel bad for someone to make the person feel good or right. You cannot feel bad enough to make someone well. Having empathy allows you to look, think, or make decisions without prejudice.
10. Forgiving
Forgiveness is so important and has to starts with yourself. But if you cannot forgive yourself, you cannot forgive others.
In many workplaces, people in leadership positions like to judge their employees based on their insecurities and hatred. They create a culture of intimidation where employees feel scared to admit any mistake or wrongdoing when it occurs.
11. Leading
Leadership is a choice and has nothing to do with your position in the organization. Leading others is a journey that starts with self-leadership. To lead others is not to be in control or having power over them.
If you do something wrong but choose to blame others, that is not leadership. A good leader takes full responsibility for the right and wrong things. It must be a balanced equation.
12. Respecting
People will respect you if you are a good leader. They will hold doors open for you without you even asking. They will give good titles. None of that stuff is for you as a person, but your position.
You can take all the good things that come with your role of being a leader, but always learn to respect and show gratitude.
Present your ideas respectfully. You might think that your ideas are the best and there’s nothing wrong with that. But how you present your ideas really has impact on your leadership reputation. So, when you have an idea, present it respectfully.
Do not be dismissive, you will demotivate people or keep them away from you. If people don’t feel valued and safe around you, they will either clam up or avoid you all together.
13. Admitting
Answering questions is part and parcel of leadership. As a leader, you always have to provide answers to every question. If you do not know the answer, it is okay to say you do not know. Because a leader is not supposed to have all the answers.
It is counterproductive trying to fake the answer when you are not sure. Pretending that you know the answer is the same as lying. Part of your job is to listen and take opinions, ideas, and useful information – not to know everything.
What do you thing about the personal values of a good leader? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below