The 2 unexpected traits of all great leaders
A lot of people fit this generic description, so what sets truly inspiring leaders apart from the rest of the pack?
Business Insider spoke with Professor Herminia Ibarra, author of "Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader," and asked the leadership expert about the most surprising characteristics of the greatest leaders.
While Ibarra was quick to shut down the idea of a universal leader - "there's no model - some work really hard and some do it more effortlessly; some of them are really people-oriented and some are not at all" - she did mention two essential qualities that apply to all effective leaders.
"Successful leaders really believe in what they're trying to do, and they manage to be contagious in their enthusiasm for it," says Ibarra, "but there are many different ways of going about that."
She warns against our determination to pinpoint universal leadership qualities. "I think part of the problem with leadership education is that we're asking 'what is the model?' or 'what are the six traits of a good leader?' or 'what do these certain people do before breakfast?' But there is no model, and it varies a lot by situation."
A cookie cutter template for leadership does not exist. Great leaders come from all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes. They don't necessarily share the same traits - what they do share, though, is a deep belief in what they're trying to get done, and the ability to transmit their passion and enthusiasm for this belief to other people, she says.
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- Election Commission issues notification for sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls
- 6 Coffee recipes you should try this summer
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030