Effective business leadership is essential for the success of any organisation. 

Business leaders are responsible for setting the vision and direction of the company, building and motivating teams, and driving results. 

There are many different leadership styles and approaches, but in my 30 years experience with working with leaders of businesses large and small, there are three essential traits that all great business leaders share…

1. Self-awareness

The best leaders are deeply self-aware. They understand their own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. 

They are also able to recognise and manage their emotions. 

Self-awareness is essential for being an effective leader because it allows you to build trust with your team, make sound decisions, and adapt to change.

How to develop self-awareness

There are a number of things you can do to develop self-awareness, including:

• Seek feedback from others – Ask your team members, peers, and manager for feedback on your leadership skills. This feedback can help you identify areas where you need to improve.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses –  There are a number of personality tests and assessments that can help you better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Taking these assessments can be a helpful way to start developing your self-awareness.
• Reflect on your own experiences – Take some time each day to reflect on your experiences as a leader. What went well? What could have gone better? What did you learn about yourself?
• Keep a journal – Keeping a journal can be a helpful way to track your progress and identify areas where you need to improve.

2. Empathy 

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. 

Empathetic leaders are able to see things from their team members’ perspectives and build strong relationships with them. 

They are also able to create a positive and supportive work environment. Empathy is essential for being an effective leader because it allows you to motivate your team, resolve conflict, and create a more inclusive workplace.

How to develop empathy

There are a number of things you can do to develop empathy, including:

• Active listening – Active listening is the process of paying attention to what someone is saying, both verbally and nonverbally. When you are actively listening, you are not just waiting for your turn to talk; you are trying to understand the other person’s perspective.
• Practise mindfulness – Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness can help you to become more aware of your own thoughts and feelings, as well as the thoughts and feelings of others.

3. Adaptability

The business world is constantly changing, and effective leaders must be able to adapt to change quickly. 

They are able to think on their feet, solve problems creatively, and make decisions in uncertain environments. 

Adaptability is essential for being an effective leader because it allows you to navigate challenges and opportunities successfully.

How to develop adaptability

In order to hone your adaptability, you can:

• Be open to new ideas – Be willing to try new things and experiment with new ideas.
• Be willing to fail – Failure is a natural part of the learning process. Adaptable leaders are not afraid to fail; they learn from their mistakes and move on.
• Be comfortable with uncertainty – The business world is full of uncertainty. Adaptable leaders are comfortable with uncertainty and are able to make decisions even when they don’t have all the information.
• Take risks – Adaptable leaders are willing to take risks. They know that taking risks is necessary for innovation and growth.

Further ways to develop your leadership skills

For some leadership comes naturally, but for others it’s a learned skill. Either way leadership is an art that often requires honing over time. 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to revisit your leadership techniques, here are five ways to develop your leadership traits…

Seek feedback from others

Ask your team members, peers, and manager for feedback on your leadership skills. This feedback can help you identify areas where you need to improve.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

There are a number of personality tests and assessments that can help you better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. 

Taking these assessments can be a helpful way to start developing your self-awareness and identify your leadership style.

Ongoing learning

There is a wealth of information available on leadership. Reading about leadership can help you learn new skills and strategies, while attending leadership workshops and conferences is a great way to learn from other leaders and develop your own leadership skills.

Find a mentor

A mentor can provide you with guidance and support as you develop your leadership skills. A mentor can also help you hold yourself accountable and stay on track.

The final word

Developing essential business leadership traits takes time and effort, but it is an investment that will pay off in the long run. 

By developing these traits, you will become a more effective leader and help your team to achieve success.