10 Traits of Great Leadership Figures - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

10 Traits of Great Leadership Figures - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When hiring companies come to our executive recruiters in order to find them a great sales or marketing employee, leadership is always a quality that our clients ask for. Though, for the job seeker, to best be able to give the hiring company what they want, they need to be able to define leadership. Therefore, for your next interviewing gig and to help you obtain a better career, our headhunters have compiled a list of 10 traits of great 44 leadership figures: 1. Leaders know how to deal with adversity. They know that each adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage. Instead of thinking they are defeated, leaders consistently know that the only limitations they have are set in their own mind and continue to pursue their goals. 2. Leaders create a desire for success in those under them. When managing other people, leaders make those individuals achieve things that they did not think were possible through motivation via sincere interest for their well-being. Leaders don’t demand perfection, but they do demand that their subordinates reach goals that average managers would not have dreamed possible. 3. Leaders know how to make unpopular decisions and can make decisive decisions in a quick, yet well thought-out manner. When necessary, they take matters into their own hands even if the subordinate consensus says to do otherwise. They are decisive; they don’t waiver. 4. Leaders don’t treat every subordinate the same, rather they give recognition where recognition is due and, unfortunately give reprimand where reprimand is due. However, they are not afraid of reprimand as weeding out poor performers is for the greater good. 5. Leaders are optimistic, energetic and their enthusiasm trickles down to those under them. Leaders don’t think about defeat, rather they treat hurdles as just another challenge which is part of the job of a leader. Leaders know that the attitude in the office starts and ends with them and embrace the importance of optimism around the office. 6. Leaders dream. Edison who was the world’s greatest inventor went from a telegraph operator to a name that will live on in American history because he had a vision and pursued it despite setbacks. Leaders know that these dreams don’t happen overnight, but they also know that dreams must be clearly conveyed to the subordinates so everyone is on board. 7. Leaders listen as they know they don’t have all the answers, rather they gather all the information then make the best decision that they feel exists. They don’t accept mediocre ideas from their subordinates, rather they demand imagination, innovation and vision. 8. Leaders are team players and exist not to serve themselves, but to serve a great good which is the benefit of those under them and the well-being of the company, though not the entity, rather each individual in that office whom they consider a team member. 9. Leaders have faith. They have a belief that if the work that needs to get done is completed, their goals will be met. While many get discouraged when pursuing goals that prove difficult, leaders have faith that they will be rewarded for their efforts and this positive attitude drives not only them, but their subordinates as well. Leaders have faith in themselves and faith in those under them. 10. Leaders are self-confident. They are able to dispute self-doubt in a manner that leads to action rather than capitulation. They not only practice self-confidence, they demand it from themselves and make those under them confident in their abilities. Author: Ken Sundheim  is the CEO of  KAS Placement  a recruiting firm based out of New York City.