Many people are leaders. Many hold the personality traits we attribute to someone who leads instead of follows, and yet, what makes a truly GREAT LEADER? This definition has grown and shifted immensely in the business world in the last ten years, and is continually changing in the face of a increasingly interconnected world.

As with all things, context is key, but these key questions can generally guide us in an exploration of what it means to be an excellent leader. Is is modesty and humbleness, like a study from the University of Buffalo suggested to us earlier this year? Or is it emotional resilience, ability to adapt, self-awareness, or confidence as The Telegraph stated in this article on leadership?

Is there one particularly strong trait that we see over and over again that no great leader lacks, or is it a combination of many?

Think back to a particularly influential “leader” in your life. What traits did they carry, how did they move, speak, act? Share with us some of your experiences and perceptions about leadership and what makes a leader GREAT, instead of average, or just good.

How can we change our behavior to either better support someone to greatness, or optimize our effectiveness as already functioning leaders?

Please, share your thoughts in the comments section below.