During both my book launches, my first leader was present: Leen. That was a great honor for me. At the time, I had a different background than most employees within the data and telecommunications company where we worked. One of the most important aspects I appreciated in Leen was that he gave me every opportunity to spread my wings, to learn, and to make mistakes. And after a few months, I was asked to join the management team.
As you know, a leader has a great effect on the well-being of a company’s employees. Often, I ask employees and managers within organizations to think about the leaders they’ve had in their careers. I do this during leadership sessions, during business coaching, and during one-on-one sessions with entrepreneurs and leaders. I then ask two questions:
- Which leader has made the most impression on you?
- What were his/her qualities that you appreciated the most?
The answers I get often overlap. Here are a few of those answers:
- “He communicated in an open manner, he constantly involved us in the process.”
- “We were involved in the plans, I felt heard.”
- “She was always highly engaged, both in our ideas and in us personally.”
- “He encouraged me to further develop myself in my profession and as a person.”
What does this say about the qualities of valued and respected leaders?
1. High Self-Awareness
A highly developed self-awareness is an EQ quality (Emotional Intelligence). These leaders are well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. They are aware of their actions, emotions, attitude, and the impact of what they say on others. They ask themselves questions that keep them sharp and alert.
2. High Self-Regulation
A second quality of valued leaders is also an EQ quality: high self-regulation. This means they are able to control, park, or change their emotional impulses. In short, it is important for leaders to control their emotions. This leads to trust among employees.
3. Asking for Feedback
Providing and asking for feedback is one of the most underestimated skills. If leaders regularly ask for feedback from their employees and are open to unsolicited feedback, it leads to an open culture where learning together is encouraged.
4. Genuine Attention
In conversations, they give genuine and full attention to their conversation partner. They are not – as I often experience – thinking about something else or getting distracted by their mobile phone, for example. They are good listeners and ask good (open) questions.
5. Respect
Valued leaders have a basic attitude of respect. Respect for who someone is at their core. Respect for another’s worldview. This usually means they judge less or not at all. This attitude makes leaders humble and curious.
6. Curiosity
Valued leaders are curious. They assume they can always learn something from others. A great example is Richard Branson (Virgin Group). He interviews many employees, from top to bottom. And he always carries a notebook to record tips and insights he gains. He is still curious, eager to learn.
The above qualities lead to a stronger bond with the team and create stronger feelings of trust, safety, and engagement.
If you want to know how to further strengthen engagement and trust within your team, read my book “My Best Team Ever! In 7 Steps to Golden Leadership“.
