Successful leaders are in most instances not born; they are made through consistent habits and disciplined practices over time. Leadership is not just about holding a position of authority but about inspiring, guiding, and driving teams toward a shared vision. Research and real-world examples show that the most effective leaders share common habits that set them apart.
In this blog we explore the ten key habits that most successful leaders demonstrate and how to ingrain them within your leadership style
1. Clear Vision & PurposeGreat leaders have a well-defined vision which aligns with the goal of their organisation and communicate it effectively. They know where they want to go and inspire others to follow. A strong sense of purpose keeps them focused and motivates their team to work toward common goals.
According to Kotter (1996), a well-communicated vision fosters motivation and direction in others. Leaders like Steve Jobs exemplified this by relentlessly pursuing Apple’s mission to "think different."
How to Improve:
✅ Define Your Vision: Write a 1-2 sentence mission statement for yourself or your team.
✅ Communicate Consistently: Reinforce your vision in meetings, emails, and one-on-ones.
✅ Align Goals: Ensure every project connects back to the bigger picture.
2. Effective Communication Skills
Leadership hinges on the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Successful leaders listen actively, articulate ideas with confidence, and ensure their message resonates with diverse audiences. They foster open dialogue and encourage feedback.
Research by Goleman (1998) emphasizes that 90% of top performers possess high emotional intelligence (EQ), which enhances communication. Great leaders, like Indra Nooyi (former PepsiCo CEO), actively listen, provide clarity, and adapt messaging dependent on different stakeholders (Harvard Business Review, 2019).
How to Improve:
✅ Practice Active Listening: Pause before responding, paraphrase to confirm understanding.
✅ Adapt Your Style: Adjust tone and messaging for different audiences (e.g., executives vs. interns).
✅ Seek Feedback: Ask colleagues, "How could I have communicated that better?"
3. Continuous Learning & Adaptability
The best leaders are lifelong learners. They stay updated on industry trends, seek new knowledge, and adapt to changing circumstances. Whether through reading, mentorship, or training, they prioritize personal and professional growth.
A study by the Centre for Creative Leadership (2020) found that those leaders who prioritise continuous learning are 46% more likely to adapt to industry changes. Bill Gates, known for his "think weeks," dedicates time to reading and reflection to stay ahead.
How to Improve:
✅ Read Daily: Dedicate 20+ minutes/day to books (e.g., Atomic Habits ), industry reports.
✅ Learn from Others: Shadow a mentor, attend webinars, or take a leadership course.
✅ Reflect Weekly: Journal key takeaways from mistakes and successes.
4. Decisiveness & Accountability
Strong leaders make informed decisions promptly and stand by them. They take responsibility for outcomes, whether success or failure and learn from mistakes rather than shifting blame.
Research in Judgment Calls (Davenport & Manville, 2012) shows that decisive leaders who take ownership of outcomes build trust. Jeff Bezos’ "disagree and commit" philosophy at Amazon encourages swift decision-making while holding leaders accountable.
How to Improve:
✅ Set Deadlines: Use the "2-Minute Rule"—if a decision takes under 2 mins, act immediately.
✅ Own Outcomes: After a setback, say, "Here’s what I learned, and here’s the fix."
✅ Limit Overthinking: Use a pros/cons lists or the "10-10-10 Rule" (How will this decision matter in 10 days/months/years?).
5. High Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Exceptional leaders understand and manage their own emotions while empathising with others. Having a high EQ helps them navigate conflicts, build strong relationships, and create a positive work environment.
Goleman’s (1995) research established that EQ accounts for nearly 67% of leadership success. Leaders like Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO) emphasize empathy and self-awareness in driving cultural transformation.
How to Improve:
✅ Pause Before Reacting: Count to 5 when frustrated. Ask, "Is my response helpful?"
✅ Practice Empathy: Regularly check in with team members: "How are you really doing?"
✅ Self-Assess: Take an EQ test (e.g., Harvard’s Emotional Intelligence Appraisal).
6. Delegation & Trust in Teams
Successful leaders recognize that they cannot do everything alone. They delegate tasks based on team strengths, empower others, and trust their colleagues to deliver results. This fosters collaboration and growth.
A McKinsey study (2021) found that leaders who delegate effectively see 33% higher team productivity. Richard Branson attributed Virgin’s success to trusting employees with autonomy.
How to Improve:
✅ Start Small: Delegate one task this week with clear expectations.
✅ Trust but Verify: Use the "5 Whys" to clarify understanding without micromanaging.
✅ Recognise Effort: Acknowledge contributions publicly (e.g., "This was all Sarah’s work!").
7. Resilience & Grit
For any leader, challenges and setbacks are inevitable. The best leaders remain resilient, maintaining composure under pressure and motivating their teams to push through difficulties.
Duckworth’s (2016) research on grit shows that resilient leaders outperform peers in long-term success. Examples like Elon Musk’s perseverance through SpaceX failures highlight this trait.
How to Improve:
✅ Reframe Setbacks: Ask, "What’s one lesson here?" after failures.
✅ Build Mental Toughness: Practice discomfort (e.g., early morning starts,cold showers! hard workouts).
✅ Celebrate Small Wins: Track progress to stay motivated.
8. Unwavering Integrity
Trust is the one of the key foundations of leadership. Successful leaders act with honesty, transparency, and fairness. They uphold strong ethical standards, ensuring long-term credibility and respect.
A Harvard Business School study (2022) found that ethical leaders foster 2.5x higher employee loyalty. Warren Buffett’s reputation for transparency and fairness underscores this habit.
How to Improve:
✅ Lead by Example: Admit mistakes openly (e.g., "I was wrong about X—here’s how I’ll fix it.").
✅ Align Actions with Values: Reject shortcuts that compromise ethics.
✅ Encourage Transparency: Reward team members who speak up about concerns.
9. Strategic Time Management
Effective leaders maximise productivity by prioritizing high-impact tasks. They avoid micromanagement, set clear deadlines, and balance strategic thinking with execution.
Peter Drucker’s The Effective Executive (1967) argued that great leaders focus on high-impact tasks. Tim Cook’s disciplined scheduling at Apple ensures productivity without burnout.
How to Improve:
✅ Time Blocking: Schedule 2-hour "deep work" slots for top priorities.
✅ Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks by urgency/importance; delegate or drop low-value work.
✅ Say No: Decline meetings without agendas or projects misaligned with goals.
10. Inspiring & Motivating Others
True leadership is about lifting others up. Successful leaders recognise achievements, provide constructive feedback, and create a culture of motivation and engagement.
According to Gallup (2023), those leaders who recognise contributions see 21% higher profitability. Oprah Winfrey’s leadership style—rooted in encouragement and mentorship—exemplifies this habit.
How to Improve:
✅ Give Specific Praise: Instead of "Good job," say "Your solution to X saved us 10 hours!"
✅ Foster Growth: Offer stretch assignments and mentorship.
✅ Show Vulnerability: Share your struggles to humanize leadership (e.g., "I once failed at Y too.").
Conclusion
Leadership excellence is built on consistent habits that foster growth, trust, and results. By cultivating these ten habits—vision, communication, learning, decisiveness, emotional intelligence, delegation, resilience, integrity, time management, and inspiration, any individual can begin to develop into an impactful and successful leader.
Leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge. Adopting these habits ensures not only personal success but also the success of those who follow.
How Can we Help?
Here at Lucy Walker Recruitment, we align and understand our Client's corporate goals to enable us to identify and introduce to them individuals who fit into their team or senior roles to drive growth and profitability. Reach out to us for a consultation
