How to Develop the Qualities and Attributes Needed to Become a Positive Leader Who Can Inspire their Team

Some people have an intrinsic gift for leadership. That said, a positive leader will constantly strive to acquire and nurture the sorts of qualities and attributes that will give their team a natural desire to support and follow them.

Whatever industry you are in or level you are working at, positive leadership skills are key strengths for you to have when seeking to achieve goals, stand out from the crowd, and advance your career. They come into play in every aspect of professional life and are crucial for those operating at every level of a thriving business. Read on for an in-depth guide to the key qualities of positive leadership.

What is the definition of leadership?

There is no single agreed-upon definition of leadership. It is a term that covers a vast array of aspects of any good leader’s behaviour and attitude. But these are not universal and depend on context. According to the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Public Administration created by Natalie Rinfret, Professor, leadership is described as follows:

“Leadership is the capacity to create a genuine emotional relationship with the members of a group in order to bring them to transcend their individual needs in favour of common objectives.”

The Quebec Board of the French Language considers it to be the power of influence and offers the following explanation: “the individual capability of exercising authority over people through one’s influence, ability to garner engagement, and the strength of one’s convictions”.

Leadership involves drawing upon one’s skills to lead, motivate and influence others in order to pursue a common goal together. When we talk about positive leadership, some ideas that often come up are vision, engagement, trust, transparent communication, solutionary thinking, integrity and ethics. These last two qualities in particular are essential for developing a benevolent leadership style that others will naturally acknowledge. They are what set this type of leader apart from an autocrat.

Why develop positive leadership?

Various studies—including one published by HAL Open Science—report that a positive leader plays a role in the expression of basic needs and that these needs have a marked influence on how passionate we feel about our work. Both basic needs and passion for work play a well-established role in workers’ wellbeing as a whole.

It is generally agreed that in order to be a good leader in a group, company or community of any kind, one must first be proficient in self-control. A leader must not merely stimulate, influence or encourage others, but rather inspire confidence and respect, without which it is unlikely that others will feel inclined to follow them. A positive leader paves the way forward and entices— rather than pushes—others to come along with them.

The attributes of positive leadership can only be acquired and developed over time through conscious effort, as well as through professional or personal experiences that offer opportunities for growth and valuable lessons. Although some people seem to have a natural knack for it, positive leadership is still very much a learned skill and, as such, is within everyone’s reach.

A vision that engages and inspires others

The leader is called upon to rally their team. To garner their engagement, they must be able to share a strong and inspiring vision that others feel they can contribute to. According to Tony Robbins, an internationally renowned motivational speaker and life coach, a leader knows how to see things as they really are, see what they can become, and implement a plan of action to transform them from their current state to their future state. A leader goes ahead and shows others the way, inviting them to follow him in order to achieve a mutual goal.

They are also an individual who can motivate and bring together the skills needed to complete projects and make everyone feel that they have an important role to play in reaching the finish line. Feeling that we are contributing in a useful way helps to improve our work happiness and, consequently, our enthusiasm, loyalty and performance.

Integrity and ethics

As essential qualities of any positive leader, integrity and ethics inspire feelings of trust and respect in their team. The people working alongside them need to feel comfortable asking questions openly and feel confident that their concerns are being listened to. In this sense, sympathetic leaders also act as coaches. They regularly spotlight people’s successes and ensure that any failures can be turned into valuable lessons.

They are, generally speaking, perceived as mentors and guides. They encourage communication and the free flow of ideas. Those working under a good leader feel that they are not hindered or frustrated, but rather that their ideas and contributions are respected and appreciated.

Inclusivity and open-mindedness

Good leaders value and gladly take on board the contributions offered by everyone, no matter their status, level, race, religion, political views or sexual orientation. They exhibit inclusivity and open-mindedness, with an ability to listen without passing judgment. They understand that every interaction can result in a positive outcome and help to strengthen their connection with a colleague or resource. They are capable of seeing the positive side of any action in a calm, impartial way.

Clear and transparent communication

One key component of positive leadership is the ability to communicate in a clear, transparent way, which allows them to get messages across effectively and paint a clear image of the vision and landscape they are dealing with. This quality is intimately linked with a propensity for listening and valuing other people. A positive leader knows how to communicate in order to influence and engage their coworkers or staff.

Solutionary thinking

According to Ortolang, an online tool for the optimization of the French language, the word ‘solutionary’ means “the collection of mental and intellectual operations likely to provide a theoretical or practical response that is geared towards resolving, analyzing and understanding a problem or a complex phenomenon.”

This comes as no surprise: leaders are often adept at finding solutions to tricky or complex issues without being discouraged or defeated by them. After all, positive leaders do not simply throw in the towel when faced with obstacles. When problems arise, they search for and find a way to overcome them, work around them, or even remove them from the equation entirely. They keep their eyes firmly on the prize, seek out the resources they need, and refuse to give up when faced with the slightest challenge.

Supporting everyone’s development

A positive leader not only leads by example, but also leverages the particular strengths of every member of their organization, encouraging them to develop their skills. This form of leadership transforms the workplace in a surprising way, brings out the best in every employee, and greatly boosts motivation and productivity.

In short, positive leadership is a set of innate, learned and developed qualities and attitudes. It is not the preserve of executives and senior management. It comes into play in all aspects of working life and stimulates employees in a positive way. It leads to an increase in happiness and general wellbeing at work, with employees and employers alike all reaping the rewards.