Comparing Leadership Traits: Insights from Diverse Sources

Leadership is a multifaceted concept that has been explored by numerous authors and sources over the years, each offering unique insights into the qualities and traits they believe define effective leaders. Let’s delve into the common leadership traits highlighted by these diverse authors, institutions, and companies.

11 Principles of Armed Forces Leadership

• Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
• Be technically and tactically proficient.
• Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.
• Make sound and timely decisions.
• Set an example.
• Know your people and look out for their welfare.
• Keep your people informed.
• Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.
• Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
• Train your people as a team.
• Employ your team in accordance with its capabilities.

11 Marine Corp Leadership Principles

• Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
• Be technically and tactically proficient.
• Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.
• Keep your Marines informed.
• Set the example.
• Ensure the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished.
• Train your Marines as a team.
• Make sound and timely decisions.
• Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.
• Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.
• Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

Extreme Ownership: How US Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jacko Willink and Laif Babin

• Extreme Ownership
• There are no bad teams, only bad leaders
• Believe
• Check the Ego
• Teamwork
• Simple
• Prioritize and Execute
• Decentralized Command
• Plan
• Leading Down the Chain of Command
• Leading Up the Chain of Command
• Decisiveness Amid Uncertainty

The Dichotomy of a Leader by Jacko Willink and Laif Babin

• A leader must lead, but also be ready to follow.
• A leader must be calm, not robotic.
• A leader must be confident, but not cocky.
• A leader must be brave, but not foolhardy.
• Leaders must have a competitive spirit, but also be gracious losers.
• A leader must be attentive to detail, but not obsessed by them.
• A leader must be strong, but likewise have endurance.
• Leaders must be humble, but not passive; quiet, but not silent.
• A leader must be close with subordinates, but not too close”.

Wooden on Leadership by John Wooden

• Enthusiasm – Enjoy what you are doing.
• Cooperation – Be interested in finding the best way, not in having your way.
• Loyalty – To yourself and to all those depending on you.
• Friendship – Mutual esteem, camaraderie, and respect create great bonds of strength.
• Industriousness – Work hard, worthwhile things come only through hard work.
• Intentness – Stay the course. Concentrate on your objective with steely resolve.
• Initiative – Courage to take make a decision and take action.
• Alertness – Eager to learn and improve.
• Self-Control – Practice self-discipline and keep emotions under control.
• Team Spirit – An eagerness to sacrifice personal interest for the welfare of all.
• Skill – Be able to execute all aspects of your job. Keep learning.
• Condition – Mental, Moral, Physical. Moderation must be practiced.
• Confidence – Proper preparation creates the right kind of confidence.
• Poise – Stay calm under fire. Avoid pretense or posturing. Just be yourself.
• Competitive Greatness – Be at your best when your best is needed. Love the hard battle.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell

• The Law of the Lid: Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.
• The Law of Influence: The true measure of leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.
• The Law of the Process: Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day.
• The Law of Navigation: Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.
• The Law of E. F. Hutton: When the real leader speaks, people listen.
• The Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of Leadership.
• The Law of Respect: People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
• The Law of Intuition: Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias.
• The Law of Magnetism: Who you are is who you attract.
• The Law of Connection: Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.
• The Law of the Inner Circle: A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him.
• The Law of Empowerment: Only secure leaders give power to others.
• The Law of Reproduction: It takes a leader to raise up a leader.
• The Law of Buy-In: People buy into the leader, then the vision.
• The Law of Victory: Leaders find a way for the team to win.
• The Law of the Big Mo: Momentum is a leader’s best friend.
• The Law of Priorities: Leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishments.
• The Law of Sacrifice: A leader must give up to Go Up.
• The Law of Timing: When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go.
• The Law of Explosive Growth: To add growth, lead followers -To multiply, lead leaders.
• The Law of Legacy: A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.

Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell

• The definition of leadership:
• The key to leadership: Priorities.
• The most important ingredient of leadership: Integrity.
• The ultimate test of leadership: Creating positive change.
• The quickest way to gain leadership: Problem Solving.
• The extra plus in leadership: Attitude.
• Developing your most appreciable asset: People.
• The indispensable quality of leadership: Vision.
• The price tag of leadership: Self-Discipline.
• The most important lesson of leadership: Staff Development

Forbes

• Consistently Solicit and Share Feedback.
• Have More Questions Than Answers.
• Learn To Be More Present.
• Identify Team Members’ Best Future Selves.
• Build A Foundation of Trust and Respect.
• Treat People as Human Beings.
• Focus On Inspiring Heart and Minds.
• Ask More and Better Questions.
• Support The Person Behind the Employee.
• Model Curiosity and Other-Centeredness.
• Understand The Value of Owning The ‘Why’.
• Create A Cohesive and Trusting Work Environment.
• Connect With Each Member of The Team.
• Advocate For Employees.
• Look After Yourself (especially these days!).

Center for Creative Leadership

• Integrity
• Ability to delegate
• Communication
• Self-awareness
• Gratitude
• Learning agility
• Influence
• Empathy
• Courage
• Respect

Amazon

• Customer Obsession. Leaders start with the customer and work backwards.
• Leaders are owners.
• Invent and Simplify.
• Are Right, A Lot.
• Learn and Be Curious.
• Hire and Develop the Best.
• Insist on the Highest Standards.
• Think Big.
• Bias for Action.
• Earn Trust.
• Dive Deep.
• Have a backbone: Disagree and Commit.
• Deliver Results.

Indeed

• Lead by example.
• Leadership is about people.
• Focus on change.
• Be human and admit mistakes.
• Understand the value of listening.
• Develop leadership skills.
• Promote diversity.
• Work together to achieve more.
• Have solid values.
• Use technology and innovation.
• Help to develop future leaders.

From the pages of revered books to the insights of reputable institutions and companies, these shared leadership traits offer a compass for aspiring leaders.