Traits of a Good Leader!

Generating trust amongst employees is one of the most important qualities that a leader must possess. Trust forms the foundation of effective communication, employee relation/ retention, and employee motivation. When trust exists in an organization or in a relationship, almost everything else is easier and more comfortable to achieve. So can you build trust when it doesn't exist?

Traits of good leader:

1. Talk Straight- Be clear and concise in your communication. There should be transparency and clarity in what you speak. Be honest and demonstrate integrity. 
2. Demonstrate Respect- Genuinely care and respect everyone and make sure you express it correctly. Be nice to employees who don’t belong to your team as well. Be kind and empathetic towards your employees issues and grievances. 
3. Create Transparency- Be open and authentic. Don’t hide information or have hidden agendas from employees. After all , everyone in your team is working towards a common goal. Always operate on the premise of “what you see what you get”
4. Right Wrongs- If there has been an error from your end, apologies quickly. Make sure you always do the right things and not what is convenient.
5. Show Loyalty- Most often ignored, but must always give credit to hard working employees. You must also be there voice of those who cannot speak for themselves. Avoid speaking negatively about your employees behind the backs.
6. Deliver Result- Make sure you have a track record of results. Accomplish the task you are hired for. Never over promised and under deliver. Avoid making excuses of not delivering.
7. Get Better- Always make an effort to learn and improve.
8. Confront Reality- Do not have unrealistic goal and expectation. Always meet issues as they are. Address tough situation directly. Always acknowledge what is the unsaid and lead conversation courageously. 
9. Clarify Expectation- Be clear while disclosing and revealing expectation from employees. Make sure you discuss and validate your expectation from them. If there is a difference of thinking, renegotiate with them. Always make sure expectation are clear.
10. Practice Accountability- Always hold yourself and others accountable and responsible for their respective tasks. Take responsibility of result, be it good or bad communicate with your employees about how they play in their tasks.
11. Listen First- Don’t make any assumptions. Listen to your employee before speaking. Don’t just listen with ears but also keep your eyes open. Understand the employees’ situation, and then diagnose a solution.
12. Keep Commitments- Make sure you commit carefully.  Always state your intent while committing. Make keeping your commitments the symbol of your honour. Don’t break employee’s confidence in you.
13. Extend Trust- The last and most important point extend trust abundantly to those who have made an effort to earn your trust. Always extend trust conditionally to those who are in the process of earning your trust. Don’t withhold the trust in employees even if it involves risk.