Are you a good leader Answer these questions to find out

Are you a good leader Answer these questions to find outLeadership qualities are some of the most difficult soft skills to assess. Everyone has their own style, and leadership is already a pretty subjective termit can mean everything from just having a fancy title to inspiring team members who are your equals. But even if theres bedrngnis one true definition, there are some core qualities that can help you measure your strength as a leader. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Do you truly value other people as humans?Managers who see their team members as a resource, or pieces of a machine, are not among the most productive or successful leaders. If you listen to others, genuinely taking their feedback and concerns into account and understanding their basic humanity (mistakes, quirks, all the good stuff that make us human), it makes you a more empathetic leader. Active listening (without judgment) is one of the most effective leadership qualities you can have.2. Do you understand others emotions, as well as your own?Going back to the humanity issue, being in touch with your feelings and understanding others feelings is a common quality in the best leaders. This doesnt mean you have to overshare or cry at work it can be as simple as acknowledging your own emotions to your colleagues. I know I reacted with frustration, and heres why. The announcement made me upset too. Lets talk about that. Being open about your feelings (though work-appropriate ones only, please) and acknowledging others right to have them is a nuanced skill and one that is valued very highly.3. Do you encourage inclusivity and diversity?Diversity is a big buzzword these days, but even though it can feel a bit jargon-y, it shows a rather remarkable cultural shift in the workforce. Clique-iness and insider baseball are out, and having a broad range of people, cultures, perspectives, and opinions is in. Building your teams and your projects around peo ple who bring different skills and perspectives shows a deep commitment to teamwork. Finding a balanceinstead of a team of yes-people who see things the same way you doshows how much you value others input and viewpoints, and how much you understand that great things can come from unexpected places.4. Do you look toward the future?If you find yourself focusing obsessively on what just happened or whats going on now, that can lead to a feeling of aimlessness or rudderlessness. While you obviously need to be able to synthesize what worked and what didnt in the past and solve issues in the now, its essential to be able to see whats coming up. Planning, setting achievable goals, and making sure everyone is aware and on board with future strategies is a cornerstone of good leadership.5. Do you nurture others talents?Helping others grow should be a priority of any leader. Its against your interests (and your organizations) if the people around you feel stagnant in their work, or so overwh elmed with a current workload that they have no bandwidth to figure out what comes next. A strong leader makes sure that others are not only working to their potential but also growing in ways that allow them to move forward in their careers.If youve answered no to any of these questions, it doesnt mean youre simply a lousy leader or will never be executive materialit just means theres an opportunity to build your skills to become someone people admire and turn to for advice and guidance.