Feedback is defined as information about reactions to a product, person’s performance of a task, a service etc. which is used as a basis for improvement. In most situations, we think of this as input/comments from the other person about our actions or an activity. Constructive feedback is therefore...

This is another essential quality of a leader. In interactions with other people, whether family, friends, co-workers, classmates, acquaintances etc. Due to the various complexities in our perspectives and appreciation of any given situation, conflict (a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one) is something that will arise...

Empowerment is authority or power given to someone to do something. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident. How does this apply to your development as a leader? David Huntoon expresses this really well: As a leader, empowerment is a means to include others in decision...

This is a BIG one, and is truly at the core of a leader. This is listening to people with high attentiveness and sincerely. You understand the other person and their perspective. In the interaction, you are focused on the person and the message. You don’t interrupt. You acknowledge...

This is another important characteristic of a good leader. It speaks into the concept of Trust. This is about being open, honest and without secrets. It is not about sharing everything all the time to everybody. No. It is about about sharing the right information with the right people...

This is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Being respectful means giving others the respect that they want to be given to themselves. Remember the saying “Respect begets respect”? Yes. As a leader, you should always be conscious of...

This is the ability to do something that scares or frightens you. It is the desire or willingness to face a difficult situation, even with an uncertain outcome. Some people will describe someone who has courage as having “heart”, which makes sense when you think of the meaning of...

This is the ability to settle on an issue or produce a definite result or decide on something that determines what comes next. Leaders use decision making skills to access a situation and determine how to proceed. A leader with good decision-making skills will not be unclear and uncertain....

Before we discuss this, remember this quote by Robert Tew “You are always responsible for how you act, no matter how you feel. Remember that.” I have these two together because these are often confused for good reason and they are coupled together somewhat. Lets define these two and...

This is the desire to act in service of a goal. Some people think that motivation is something that you have inside you. Perhaps partially so. But this is more of an action, a verb rather than a noun which makes it passive. You are motivated when the desire...