Great leadership starts with self-leadership | Lars Sudmann | TEDxUCLouvain
Leadership theories
In order to understand how and why certain people become leaders, leadership theory studies the qualities of effective leaders. Psychologists study and develop leadership theory, and researchers look for traits or patterns of behavior that make good leaders. Under the general heading of “positive leadership,” several leadership theories can be found:
What is positive leadership?
Compared to other leadership styles, positive leadership typically employs more positive techniques and emphasizes the use of leadership traits that fall under the behavioral subcategory of positive psychology.
By focusing on their strengths, positive leaders show that they genuinely care about their team members’ professional and personal development. In this type of leadership, the team members take precedence over business operations or financial results.
32 qualities of a positive leader
As they direct their team, effective leaders demonstrate these traits:
1. Caring
Positive leaders care about those they lead. When they interact with their team members, they demonstrate this by taking their needs into account. Instead of pointing out errors in the work of a team member who is ordinarily productive, a good leader will seek to understand what may be affecting that person.
2. Empowering
Positive leaders can motivate and inspire their team members by empowering others. By encouraging team members to come up with their own solutions and praising them for their creative thinking, these leaders foster a productive environment. They delegate responsibility to take advantage of each persons strengths.
3. Genuine
Positive leaders show their true selves to their team members. They mean what they say and act with integrity. Sharing both their strengths and weaknesses with others demonstrates authenticity in a leader’s interpersonal interactions. They model the personal beliefs that inspire their behaviors.
4. Supportive
A good leader advocates for their team members and provides assistance when they see a need to show support. Positive leaders strive to comprehend how they can better support their team in every circumstance and express gratitude when it is due.
5. Self-controlled
Leaders who adopt this approach demonstrate self-control in both their words and actions to maintain a positive focus. This improves their relationships and aids in keeping a productive workplace.
6. Mindful
Being mindful means concentrating on the good things in the world around you right now. Leaders who exhibit this trait concentrate on observing what is going on around them with the intention of pausing and remaining composed.
7. Confident
Positive leaders have faith in their own abilities as well as others’ abilities. They have faith in their group and brag to others about what they have accomplished.
8. Optimistic
Positive leaders inspire hope in their team members. Despite setbacks and difficult circumstances, they maintain a positive outlook, especially in response to those they lead.
9. Encouraging
Positive leaders capitalize on the fact that encouragement increases positivity in any circumstance. A supportive leader strives to uplift their team members through encouraging words and deeds. One strategy these leaders use to encourage their team members is to include compliments in feedback.
10. Innovative
Positive leaders find novel ways to motivate and control their team members. Whether in their interactions with coworkers or when planning a new project for their team, they search for alternative strategies that include more positivity.
11. Upbeat
Happiness and optimism are displayed by positive leaders in most, if not all, circumstances. They engage team members in conversation with a positive attitude.
12. Decisive
Positive leaders interact with their team members in a calm and humble manner, but they are still able to decide clearly and quickly regarding all matters that fall under their purview. They frequently manage situations effectively by using their quick thinking.
13. Resilient
Having positive attitudes again after a difficult situation is a key component of positive leadership. Whatever happens, these leaders keep working and inspiring their teams to achieve success.
14. Energetic
A constructive leader approaches a task with vigor and purpose to demonstrate a resilient attitude. They are motivated to succeed for the benefit of their group, and they inspire others to adopt the same positive attitude by providing inspiring leadership.
15. Self-aware
These leaders are successful when they solicit frank criticism of their management style. They are also perceptive, recognizing areas for improvement through reflection.
16. Transparent
Positive leaders are open and honest in both their personal and professional interactions. They have a defined set of leadership principles that are simple for the team to comprehend.
17. Balanced
Leaders transform their team through their authenticity when positive leadership is the focus. They are able to empower and motivate their teams, enabling team members to excel in their roles.
18. Ethical
Positive, morally upright people make decisions that are fair and balanced because they are guided by a strong moral core. They demonstrate integrity as a leader and show respect and dignity to others. Before acting or making a decision, these leaders also take into account a situation with a strong sense of right and wrong.
19. Trustworthy
Positive leaders build a supportive environment by keeping their word. Because the leader keeps their promises or plans, the team knows they can rely on what they say.
20. Flexible
A positive leader is always open to suggestions. Their adaptability and adaptability enable them to transform adverse circumstances into favorable ones.
21. Humble
The decisions that good leaders make and the manner in which they exercise their authority demonstrate humility. They arent afraid to admit when theyve made a mistake. They collaborate with team members to maintain good relationships, never volunteering for a job that is beneath their skill level.
22. Peaceful
This kind of leader strives to maintain harmony among all team members by easing tension and fostering a welcoming environment.
23. Empathetic
Positive leaders are emotionally intelligent and consider others’ needs when making decisions. In order to foster good relationships within their team, these leaders relate to the situations of their teammates.
24. Team-oriented
Positive leadership requires you to prioritize your team’s needs and give them ownership over their tasks.
25. Communicative
Positive leaders seek to communicate with encouragement in all situations. These leaders show positivity through verbal and non-verbal cues. Additionally, they maintain open lines of communication to strengthen their bonds with team members.
26. Reflective
A leader conceptualizes positive ideas through introspection. They evaluate their approach to enhancing their team’s efforts continuously.
27. Respectful
Positive team members respect the dignity of all members of their team. They are kind and courteous in their business interactions, active listeners who are quick to give others a voice.
28. Inspiring
A positive leader motivates and inspires those they lead. They communicate a vision to their team, encouraging them to work toward making that vision a reality.
29. Collaborative
A team environment where members are encouraged to collaborate to achieve goals and address issues is fostered by positive leaders. To enable team members to collaborate more quickly and effectively, they delegate authority.
30. Problem-solving
The most effective leaders are those who find solutions to the problems that their teams are facing. Instead of giving up, they constantly seek to try something new. When faced with a challenge, these leaders are quick to find an alternative solution or approach.
31. Knowledgeable
A good leader aspires to increase their knowledge of their field so they can lead thoughtfully and motivate their team. They seek out opportunities to advance their knowledge through independent study so they can impart it to others.
32. Honest
Positive leaders are constantly honest with their team in order to foster a productive and peaceful work environment. Positive leaders stand out as trustworthy professionals due to their high level of personal integrity and an ethical sense of purpose in their words and actions.
Tips for using positive leadership in the workplace
The following are some ways to demonstrate positive leadership at work:
FAQ
What is positivity leadership?
- Excellent communication. Teams must share a common goal, have a clear plan of action, and be led by a capable individual in order to function well together.
- A strong personal work ethic. …
- Decisiveness and confidence. …
- Humility. …
- Passion and persistence.
Why is positive leadership important?
- Caring. Positive leaders care about those they lead. …
- Empowering. Positive leaders can motivate and inspire their team members by empowering others.
- Genuine. …
- Supportive. …
- Self-controlled. …
- Mindful. …
- Confident. …
- Optimistic.
What characteristics make a positive leader?
- Instead of just modeling the behaviors themselves, demonstrate the personal values that underpin them.
- Showing your followers how to be independent will encourage them to be independent.
- Encourage positive emotions and positive social exchanges in the workplace.
What is positive and negative leadership?
The idea that encouraging employees to reach their full potential and removing them from the distractions of rules and a toxic culture is supported by positive leadership.
