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Some time ago, I listed the people who most influenced me and what they had in common. One word came to mind: they were great.
Being great is not tied to status, position, role, gender, or other observable characteristics. It is a unique quality in a person.
Great people hold the world together: countries, communities, organizations, families, lives. You can find them at any level, everywhere. The bus driver waits for the running passenger, the assistant picks up behind the boss, and the young man extends a hand to the older woman on an icy path. And so on.
In organizations, great leaders serve as role models for aspiring and emerging leaders who are forever hungry for examples to follow.
There are many good leaders, but being great is a different ballpark. Going from good to great is an inner game. Good is good, great is better.
With the greats in mind, I have compiled their five key attributes to celebrate them.
1) Surprisingly, great leaders are unaware of their greatness.
They don't consciously set out to be great. For them, it is a way of being, and unconsciously, they reject self-importance or projecting an image. They do their work carefully and diligently; they don't hold court or expect applause. That is why they can use the full, undivided capacity for their work.
2) Great leaders don't sacrifice being human to get something done.
They pursue tangible business goals with kindness, compassion, and an eye for the extraordinary talents and abilities of others. They lift others up and are unpretentiously inclusive, which is why they can allow others to be great, too.
3) Great leaders are aware, attentive, available, considerate of everyone they interact with, and respectful of their time.
They are guardians of people's hearts. That is why people remember them.
4) Great leaders don't chase external achievements, accolades, status, or positions.
Strangely enough, they win them even though they may not fit the usual success template because others depend on them heavily. They have more significant social causes in mind, work consistently on seemingly mundane tasks that others may neglect, and never compromise on their values. That is why they are successful.
5) Great leaders may suffer a lot inwardly, though no one may notice; they deal with it equanimity and self-compassion.
Over time, the depth and character they have acquired bring out genuine smiles and mannerisms, a compassionate attitude, and an unforgettable magnetic presence. That is why they are suitable role models.
We have enough good and successful leaders. The goal of any leadership development is to produce a higher percentage of great leaders and to bring out their unique strains of greatness. The ripple effect would be tremendous.
Also, the list of attributes is not exhaustive; feel free to add to it in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.
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