We have all had the experience of being in contact with a very powerful leader. There is something that sets them apart from the rest and they not only lead by example but inspire others around them to follow suit.
Have you noticed commonalities when it comes to leaders who have impacted your life? Do they have similar routines, habits, or character traits? What is the magnetic power that draws others to them while also allowing them to distinguish themselves as a leader worth following?
William Vanderbloemen a self-described recovering preacher and entrepreneur, pastor, speaker, author, and CEO and founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group, an executive search firm serving churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations, wanted to know the same thing. He wanted to know so much that he tracked and studied 30,000 top leaders.
Through this process, he and his team discovered some common habits these leaders have in common that make them as rare as a unicorn. And, what sets Vanderbloemen apart is he often works with faith-based or volunteer organizations that are staffed with volunteers who do not receive a paycheck, thereby creating an interesting leadership environment. While it does present a unique set of challenges and a fresh approach, what Vanderbloemen found is that these habits create strong leaders across the board, whether leading a service organization or a Fortune 500 company.
Here are just a few of the 12 commonalities that surfaced when it came to distinguishing top leaders. And, to be clear, Vanderbloemen’s team discovered that these shared traits are actually habits that can be developed over time with consistent practice. They aren’t inherited traits or personality characteristics. Strong leaders usually have a handful they are exceptional at, but they are definitely above average when it comes to all 12 habits.
- Responsiveness - Powerful leaders respond quickly and timely to opportunities as well as issues that need to be resolved
- Agility - Strong leaders are willing to learn and embrace a new skill to stay current and handle change
- Problem-solving - Leaders focus on what needs to be done rather than asking why or what the problem is. They exhibit a high sense of agency.
- Self-aware - Strong leaders understand their strengths and weaknesses very clearly and know what they can bring to the table
- Anticipation - Good leaders are often a few steps ahead of the game and anticipate what will happen next and how they will mitigate risk or problems
- Likeability - Natural leaders are charismatic and likable because they are insatiably curious while showing a genuine interest in others.
If you want to know more, you can find Vanderbloemen’s book “Be the Unicorn” at most retail outlets. And, when you need a cheerleader and an accountability partner, we will be there to help support you through life’s most important changes and growth cycles. You can do this!