Effective leaders have many positive attributes that make them successful—some of those characteristics are common in all great leaders, while others are unique to the individual. Who in your life has inspired you the most? Is it your pastor? A community figure? A beloved teacher? Whoever the person, and whatever the venue, a strong leader is able to make a lasting and positive influence on others.
I have chosen to address the topic of leadership strictly from a business perspective. Accomplished managers and executives can have a tremendous impact on their staff, both on a professional and a personal level. Generally speaking, all professional leaders must learn and develop many skills and talents to achieve success. What follows is by no means an exhaustive list of all strengths a leader might need at any given time. It is, however, an overview of elements that are common to every effective leadership style. So what differentiates the successful leaders from the less capable ones?