For many companies, leadership is highly rewarded and regarded.  This is due in part to the fact that most businesses value employees that go above and beyond their workload. Additionally, leadership can have far reaching positive ripple effects, influencing morale and productivity for an entire department or team. In fact, a 2014 survey by the American Management Association found that leadership was described as more important than ever before due to an increasingly competitive business environment.

Leadership comes in many forms. Whether you show leadership as the cheerleader to a team, or the manager of an important project, good leadership skills can prove invaluable. Despite the different types of leadership, good leaders do tend to share certain overarching traits. In order to be a good leader, you must be able to handle stress, to deal with conflict and to understand people. And because of this, some people are not suited for a leadership position based on their personality traits and preferences.

A good leader is a role model for any company, often times embodying a work ethic, determination and drive that stands out among the rest. While many different factors may be involved in good leadership, most strong leaders exhibit certain traits.

7 Leadership Traits to Know

Good leadership entails a diverse set of skills, yet there are some traits that most leaders tend to share. Here are 7 leadership traits you’ll find in most good leaders:

  1. Consistency: A good leader must be consistent in their actions and speech. You must not get bogged down with favoritism when acting as a leader. Also, it is important for team members to get used to the way you operate, providing consistent work and expectations will help your team members excel in tasks.
  2. Accountability: A good leader holds him or herself accountable at all times. It is up to the individual to remain positive and responsible for his or her actions.
  3. Empathy: A good leader acts with respect and empathy when speaking with his or her colleagues. It is okay not to baby your team members, but you should also be understanding and show some humility toward others. People do not respond well to those in leadership positions that are unbending and rude.
  4. Enthusiasm: A good leader is extremely positive and reassuring. It is important to be able to cheer your colleagues on and reward them for their successes. Being a good leader means that you are able to encourage others.
  5. Positivity: Good leaders tend to see possibilities where others see road blocks. Focusing on solutions, and staying positive despite inevitable challenges, is an important part of being a good leader.
  6. Flexibility: A good leader is able to roll with the punches and make adjustments as needed. Being flexible in the face of change is an important skill for anyone in a leadership role.
  7. Problem Solver: A good leader must be able to deal with stress and conflict on a daily basis. This job requires resilience and determination.