| Does every manager lead, inspire and motivate | | | | they offered more information about these traits |
| their team to new heights? Of course not, but | | | | but rarely mentioned the leader. I only note this |
| some are remembered for years...even decades | | | | because I found it very different from those who |
| by members of their team. People have told me | | | | wrote back about character and care for people. |
| they have fond, warm memories when I ask | | | | Character - This was the 2nd most commonly |
| them to tell me about the best leader they ever | | | | valued trait, and easily the most common word |
| worked for. So instead of writing an article about | | | | used was integrity. Honesty, humility and trusting |
| the dynamics of leadership, I though it may be | | | | were all mentioned often but integrity was |
| more useful to view leadership from the eyes of | | | | offered more often then the other 3 combined. |
| those that follow. | | | | The tone of follow up discussions was interesting. |
| I really wanted to know what people thought | | | | This trait was definitely highly valued but again, |
| about the best leader they ever worked for. I | | | | they spoke more about the trait than the person. |
| had asked the question numerous times in | | | | My inference was that this trait was the entrance |
| leadership training classes, but the people attending | | | | ticket, not the main attraction. |
| were speaking out amongst peers so I wasn't | | | | Care for people - This is the 3rd place trait but |
| sure they were speaking from the heart. So I | | | | don't dismiss this if you aspire to be someone's |
| posed the question on LinkedIn, a business | | | | best leader! The words most commonly offered |
| oriented social media site. In LinkedIn there are | | | | were; Trustworthy, caring, supporting and |
| groups where you can post a discussion/question | | | | compassionate. Now for the most interesting |
| and members of that group are free to | | | | part...this is the trait that naturally evokes the |
| comment. I posted the question on two sales | | | | most emotion. I got unsolicited emails from |
| groups, a CFO group, two HR groups and a | | | | several respondents thanking me for posing a |
| general executive group. 297 people responded, | | | | question that reminded them of a particular |
| offering 495 words and 132 phrases. | | | | person. More than one told me how warm the |
| The results were both confirming to some of | | | | memories were. This was inspirational to me |
| what I have seen before, but at the same time I | | | | because it seemed that even though this was the |
| read words I had never hear in a classroom | | | | third place trait in my survey it may be the trait |
| environment. Words like "servant" were offered | | | | that many good leaders do not have, or at least |
| more than once. I followed up with some people | | | | do not display. Statistically this may be in third |
| to ensure I understood their meaning as many | | | | place, but those that experienced it absolutely |
| comments came from around the world. | | | | loved it. |
| Again, this feedback comes from people | | | | Composure - This is an interesting trait because |
| remembering the best leader they ever worked | | | | people seem to appreciate behavior in a leader |
| for! | | | | that is opposite to those that are following! In a |
| Visionary was the word most commonly | | | | time of dramtic change, they speak of being calm |
| mentioned 1st, and was the most common word | | | | under pressure. When the environment is calm |
| offered overall. Integrity and inspiration came in | | | | and sleepy, they appreciate passion over any |
| tied for 2nd. I won't bore you by listing all the | | | | overlooked principle. The top two words were |
| words, but the longer I thought about them, the | | | | passionate and listens. |
| more clearly I saw what people thought | | | | This was a very interesting exercise for me and I |
| differentiated this leader from all the others. When | | | | hope enlightening for you. If you are inspired to |
| I began to bundle these words under 5 traits it | | | | become that one leader that someone will |
| became clear what people value most from | | | | remember...maybe even decades after they |
| leaders vs. everyday managers. The traits I | | | | worked for you then I would suggest you focus |
| identified were; technical competency, leadership | | | | on the following. |
| competency, character, composure, and care for | | | | Leadership competency - the most high valued |
| people. | | | | trait. Driven by perceptions of vision, inspiration |
| Competency/Technical - I was surprised that this | | | | and empowerment. |
| trait was not more highly valued. Comments from | | | | Character - the second most valued trait. Warning! |
| around the world with many submissions from the | | | | If anyone spots ANY lack of integrity then move |
| technology world still barely registered. The two | | | | on. Always do the right thing even when no one is |
| most commonly offered words, knowledgeable | | | | watching. |
| and competent, only appeared 9 times out of | | | | Care for people - maybe 3rd place in people's |
| 495 words. | | | | mind but 1st place in their heart. Perception will be |
| Competency/Leadership - This trait had double | | | | driven by your trustworthiness, compassion and |
| the offering of the next most valued trait (of | | | | support. |
| course leadership was part of the question). The | | | | Composure - 4th place BUT a lack of composure |
| most common submissions were visionary, | | | | will always ruin all the hard work you put in the |
| inspirational, empowering and mentoring. Of | | | | other traits. People appreciate calm under |
| interest to me was that when I sent an email to | | | | pressure and passion over principal. |
| thank people for commenting in the discussion | | | | |