Suggested Traits and Characteristics of Highly Effective Leaders

Written by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Copyright 1997-2008.

The following articles provide a variety of advice, hints, tips, etc. to be a more effective leader. Note that writers often have widely different -- and sometimes conflicting -- views about leadership. The following guidelines might help you to clarify the various views of the writers and maintain perspective while reading the articles listed below.
Guidelines to Understanding Literature About Leadership.

(You might also be interested in reading some advice, hints, tips, etc. to be a more effective manager. If so, see Various Suggestions for Knowledge and Skills Needed by Management.)

Various Perspectives

The following articles provide numerous suggestions regarding the traits and characteristics that leaders should have.
I Like Ike: A Manager’s Leader
Ray Kroc: A Salesman’s Leader
One Leader's View -- What Makes for an Effective Leader?
TEAM MANAGEMENT TRAINING TIPS/ARTICLES: LEADERSHIP
Qualities of Leadership
The High Stakes Leadership Trade Off - EmergingLeader.com
Communication is Paramount - EmergingLeader.com
Leadership: Take it personally
Leadership in the Face of Change
Motivational Management - Developing Leadership Skills
Leader as Story Teller
What makes a leader?
Five Most Important Leadership Traits

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For the Category of Leadership:

Related Library Topics

Recommended Books

For Leading Yourself, See
Personal Development -- Related Books

For Leading Other Individuals, See
Supervision -- Related Books

For Leading Teams, See
Facilitation and Teams -- Related Books

For Leading Organizations, See
Organizational Development -- Recommended Books

For Management, See
Management -- Recommended Books


Basics and General Information

Book Cover Field Guide to Leadership and Supervision in Business
by Carter McNamara, published by Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Provides step-by-step, highly practical guidelines to recruit, utilize and evaluate the best employees for your business. Includes guidelines to effectively lead yourself (as Board member or employee), other individuals, groups and organizations. Includes guidelines to avoid burnout -- a very common problem among employees of small businesses. Many materials in this Library's topic about staffing are adapted from this book.
Book Cover Field Guide to Leadership and Supervision With Nonprofit Staff
by Carter McNamara, published by Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Provides step-by-step, highly practical guidelines to recruit, utilize and evaluate the best staff members for your nonprofit. Includes guidelines to effectively lead yourself (as Board member or staff member), other individuals, groups and organizations. Includes guidelines to avoid burnout -- a very common problem among nonprofit staff. Many materials in this Library's topic about staffing are adapted from this book.

The following books are recommended because of their highly practical nature and often because they include a wide range of information about this Library topic. To get more information about each book, just hover your cursor over the image of the book. A "bubble" of information will be displayed. You can click on the title of the book in that bubble to get more information, too.