Flexibility, action, transparency, and seeing the big picture are key leadership qualities that every manager needs. Flexible leaders who seek outside opinions and are willing to adapt receive higher ratings. Taking action and being decisive, even if it means not everyone agrees, ensures the team is united around common goals. Transparency through open communication helps employees understand priorities and goals. Seeing the big picture allows leaders to understand how individual projects fit within the company's overall strategy. Advocacy, listening skills, and empathy are also important for connecting with teams and customers. Cultivating these qualities can improve any manager's leadership abilities.

1. The Top Leadership
Qualities Every
Manager Needs

2. Good leadership can be difficult to spot –
sometimes leaders are quiet, leading by example.
But there are some traits you should seek to
emulate if you’re leading a team.

3. Flexibility
Leaders who exhibit flexibility receive higher
ratings from their peers when it comes to
behavior and performance.

4. Flexibility
How to gain more flexibility
Seek outside opinions. Don’t try to make
decisions on your own. When faced with a difficult
situation, seek advice from friends, colleagues,
and consultants.

5. Action
It’s great if your team likes you, but if you can’t
lead them to success and unite them around a
common goal, you’re not leading..

6. Action
How to be more decisive
Not everyone is going to agree with your
decisions. You have to accept that being
respected by your team is more important than
being loved.

7. Transparency
Transparency is getting real with your team.
Transparency matters because it helps
employees gain context so they can understand
why things are being done in certain way

8. Transparency
How to be more transparent
Start by gathering your team once a month to
explain quarterly or monthly goals. Allow them to
ask questions, and tell the truth when you answer.

9. Seeing the Big Picture
This quality makes the difference between good
leaders and great ones. Leaders must be aware of
where the company is positioned, as well as
where they sit within the company.

10. Seeing the Big Picture
How to step back and see the big picture
Whenever you start a new project, think about
where it fits in with what the company does.

11. If employers feel as though they are protected by
their leader, they’ll take risks that can bring
substantial rewards.
Advocacy

12. Advocacy
How to be a better advocate
Put team happiness before your own happiness.
Be willing to have uncomfortable conversations
for the good of the team.

13. Ability to Listen
Employees want leaders who will listen to their
problems, ideas, and suggestions, and really hear
them.

14. Ability to Listen
How to be a better listener
Practice. It sounds silly, but you can improve a lot
by practicing your listening skills. When you go
into a meeting, try to listen.

15. Empathy
Empathy not only matters in connecting with a
team, but also in building products. If you don’t
possess empathy for your customers and clients,
it will be difficult for you to lead them as well.

16. Empathy
How to be more empathetic
When you’re listening to a colleague or direct
report, imagine what it would be like to be them.

17. These leadership qualities can all be cultivated if
they’re prioritized by leaders and managers.
To continue improving your leadership and
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