What Makes A Great Leader?

‘What makes a great leader?’  That’s the question Tim Kimberly from Credo House  recently asked me.

In a moment of quick witted high intelligence, my response to Tim was… ‘That’s a good question.  Well……’

I couldn’t easily express my thoughts.  His question challenged me because I believe leadership is just as much art as it is science.  The easy way out could have been to rattle off a response that was regurgitated from the latest book full of sound-bytes on leadership.  Knowing Tim, that wouldn’t suffice.

Because I so highly value the importance of leadership in any endeavor, in both the for-profit and the non-profit sector, I had to answer the question.  If not for Tim, for myself.

So, I’m taking a swing at synthesizing a complex response to a simple question.  Knowing there are a million iterations and other nuances to add, I’ve crunched my thoughts to what I would personally consider the irreducible minimum of what makes a great leader.

‘What makes a great leader?’

They’re Smokin’ What They’re Sellin’.  Whatever the cause or endeavor they are leading others to engage in, they’re living it themselves.  This is all about credibility, authenticity, and ultimately, authority.  When a leader isn’t smokin’ what they’re sellin’, their influence will be short lived – if it has any life at all.  Great leaders personally exude the mission.

They Broadcast The Picture In High-Def.  They articulate with clarity where the team or organization is going.  The vision is clear.  Great leaders help us envision ourselves in a better place.  Even in times of uncertainty, they remind us why we have chosen to journey together.  When a leader communicates clearly where we’re going and why, we jump on the train because it’s something we can believe in, something we can stand for.  Great leaders paint a compelling and realistic vision for the future.  

They Release The Tribe.  They inspire people to bring their best.  They engage the strengths of others.  When a leader engages and leverages the strengths and talents of their tribe,  creativity, innovation, and forward progress seems to take on a life of its own.  Great leaders believe in people and empower them to make a difference.

When it comes to great leadership, there’s more to it than this.  That being said, I’d suggest that leaders who don’t emulate these three characteristics may still lead, but will never be great.

Would you agree or disagree?