10 Qualities of a Great Leader
Leadership is an art that is bigger than any title, role or individual achievement.
Earlier this week I sat down with football legend Gary Ayres and spoke about the great leadership qualities he has seen across his time in football and life.
Gary shared his insights on what truly defines a great leader and compiled a list of 10 key qualities that every great leader should possess.
We explore this list below:
1. Authentic
A great leader is someone who is authentic and embraces their true selves.
Authenticity builds trust and inspires others to follow.
To be authentic means to be genuine and real.
2. Communication
Great leaders are exceptional communicators. They articulate themselves clearly, provide constructive feedback and encourage others to speak up.
A great leader must learn to communicate across all levels whether it be with; coaches, athletes, executives, support staff, media or even fans of the game.
3. Committed
Commitment is the cornerstone of leadership. Leaders who are fully committed to the team and its mission inspire others to do the same.
They lead by example and always have their teammates and coaches backs.
4. Inclusive
Inclusion is the key to creating a winning culture. Great leaders create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, respected and has a sense of belonging.
Having a sense of belonging allows everyone to find their purpose and role on the team.
5. Awareness
Great leaders don’t have to be the best athletes but they should always have an exceptional eye and attention to detail.
Having the ability to observe and be aware of your surroundings will help with identifying and mitigating problems before they arise.
6. Respected
Respect isn’t demanded; it’s earned.
Great leaders gain respect by consistently demonstrating fairness, humility and a willingness to learn from others.
They check their egos at the door and are always in support of the team’s mission.
7. Trusted
Effective leadership is built on the foundations of trust.
Trust is built over time and can be grown by demonstrating values of reliability, honesty and consistency.
A trustworthy leader always delivers on their promises and maintains transparency.
8. “Hard Yacker”
Hard Yacker is the Australian term for hard work.
Great leaders lead from the front, demonstrating a work ethic that motives the rest of the team to do the same.
When the going gets tough, great leaders find a way to push through.
9. Cherished
My personal favourite from Gary’s list of leadership qualities.
A cherished leader is someone who creates meaningful connections with their teammates, allowing them to feel valued, appreciated and part of something bigger than life.
10. Reliable
Most of all, a great leader is someone you can always rely on and is available.
They “live by the sword and die by the sword” and are willing to do anything for the greater good of the team.
Epilogue:
Gary Ayres is a 5 time AFL Premiership Player with Hawthorn Football Club, 2 x Norm Smith Medallist and AFL Hall of Fame inductee.
He has coached 223 AFL games between 1995 and 2004, and has been recognised for his leadership and tenancy on the field, with the AFL naming the “Best Finals Player” the Gary Ayres Award.
Gary Ayres’ perspective on leadership offers a blueprint for anyone aspiring to lead, whether it be on the field, in the workplace or in life.
The qualities highlighted are not just words, they are actions, values and the heartbeat towards being a great leader.
True leadership is less about the title or personal accolades and is more about the responsibility of nurturing, inspiring and growing the people around you.
Great leaders have a lasting impact on those around them and build a legacy that extends far beyond any level of individual success.
The road towards great leadership never ends but with these 10 qualities we can really begin to define what makes a great leader.
– Shaun Atkins
Director – SRA Sports Therapy