Characteristics of Effective Leadership

What qualities a leader has, is subject to differences of opinion among distinguished thinkers. Characteristics of effective leadership as given by various thinkers are given in the table below:-

Characteristics of effective leadership

Sl. No.	Authority	Qualities of leader
1	F.M. Viscount Shim	Courage Will power Judgment Flexibility Knowledge Integrity
2	Ordway Tead	Physical and Nervous Energy Enthusiasm Sense of purpose and direction Technical Mastery Integrity Technical skill Friendliness and affection Decisiveness Intelligence Faith
3	Henry Fayol	Health and physical fitness Intelligence & mental vigor Moral qualities Knowledge Managerial ability
4	Chester I.  Bernard	Vitality and endurance Decisiveness Persuasiveness Stability Intellectual capacity Knowledge

Broadly we may group these qualities in the following four categories:-

1. Physical qualities
   1. Sound health: Sound health is necessary for every human but a leader must have sound health so that he can concentrate on his work fully. This is one of the most important physical qualities of a leader.
   2. Vitality and endurance: Any man can not succeed without vitality and endurance. Most of the time a leader struggle with his demand so vitality and endurance are essential for a good leader.
2. Psychological qualities 
   1. Personal Magnetism: A leader should have the ability to attract people by his personality. I think this is one of the greatest important characteristics of effective leadership. Anyone can’t avoid the necessity of personal magnetism.
   2. Enthusiasm: A leader should be much enthusiastic because he should start the work and he wants to be a pioneer so, without enthusiasm, one can not be a good leader.
   3. Co-operation: Everyone expects co-operation from a leader. Without a cooperative mentality, one can not get popularity as a leader. So, this is another essential psychological qualities of a leader.
   4. Ability to inspire
   5. Forcefulness
   6. Tact
3. Intellectual Traits 
   1. A high degree of intelligence
   2. An open mind
   3. A capacity for sound judgment
   4. An ability to teach
   5. A scientific Approach
4. Qualities of character
   1. Integrity
   2. Self-discipline
   3. Fair play
   4. Willingness to accept responsibility
   5. Physical & moral courage
   6. Humanism

Related Content of Leadership:

• Some Essential Leadership Skills to be a Good Leader
• 9 Most Important Functions of Leadership
• Styles of a Leader
• Circumstances Which Make a Leader Ineffective?
• Two Most Important Keys to Effective Leadership
• Contribution of Management in Developing Leadership
• What Circumstances Situation Can Make a Person Leader?
• Nature and Characteristics of a Good Leader
• Role of Government to Leadership Development
• Roles of Management for Leadership Development
• Roles of Parents in Leadership Development
• Roles of Trade Unions in Leadership Development
• Role of Social Elites in Leadership Development
• Persons Responsible for the Shortage of Good Leadership
• Prospects of Leadership
• How Can We Create Good Leaders in Organizations?