What is the number one quality it takes to be a strong leader?

Danielle Gray — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:20:22 -0400

I know, there are countless qualities that make up strong leaders. But what is the number ONE quality on your list? And why?

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made May 25 at 2017 11:22 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:22:02 -0400

Integrity.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 25 at 2017 11:26 AM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:26:12 -0400

Communication, the ability to communicate with the people you lead. Also letting others express their views, opinions and ideas. Lastly you must be fluid knowing what you bring to the table as well.as what you don't. This allows your followers to see empathy in your leadership style. Listening is paramount in leading.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 25 at 2017 11:27 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:27:23 -0400

Integrity - all other attributes will follow if you are honest and do what is right for your organization.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 25 at 2017 11:27 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:27:28 -0400

The ability to learn. And not just the stupid book crap that they shove down your throat at every school that exists, I mean everything. Learning how to be a better human being, friend, mentor. Learning how to talk to and understand your subordinates without it coming off as pandering or insincere. The more your subordinates feel that you are approachable, the more they will come to you and either voice new ideas or also the things they are unhappy about. Both of these are great. But the willingness to learn must be not only from your superiors but also from those same subordinates. No one like a leader that can't agree to a better way to do things just because it comes from someone beneath them in the hierarchy.

Response by SFC William Stephens made May 25 at 2017 11:42 AM

SFC William Stephens — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:42:58 -0400

KNOW YOURSELF 1st.

BE
KNOW
DO

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 11:48 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:48:04 -0400

Hi, Danielle.

There are a few that can be rated as most or supremely important, but it's necessary for a leader to recognize that the continued viability and integrity of everything and everyone in his charge comes before him.

Success belongs to the team, but failure is his to bear and his alone.

Response by SFC Dave Beran made May 25 at 2017 12:33 PM

SFC Dave Beran — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:33:03 -0400

All of the above. Concern/Caring and Trust/Respect are two way streets.

Response by SFC Dave Beran made May 25 at 2017 12:33 PM

SFC Dave Beran — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:33:05 -0400

All of the above. Concern/Caring and Trust/Respect are two way streets.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 25 at 2017 12:35 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:35:02 -0400

Realizing that there is not just one quality and that they vary from leader to leader.

Response by Michelle Titus made May 25 at 2017 2:31 PM

Michelle Titus — Thu, 25 May 2017 14:31:12 -0400

Respect - The leader has earned respect of others and the leader portrays and gives respect to others!

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 25 at 2017 2:58 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 25 May 2017 14:58:21 -0400

Danielle,
I am adding one quality to your list: Vision = end state of where the leader expects the organization to be. Strong leaders must have a Vision for where the organization must go and appoint the key leadership in place for how the organization will get there. This Vision will carry with it the Principles of Leadership that are executed with integrity.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 3:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 15:27:40 -0400

Humility. If you have to let folks know you are in charge...you're not and you haven't earned their respect and confidence.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 3:59 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 15:59:35 -0400

Followership! IMHO a great leader has to be able to follow first, that is leading by example.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 4:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 16:24:20 -0400

A physically present leader with clear and stable principles that they follow through on.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 4:30 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 16:30:55 -0400

Integrity is the most important trait in a leader. It is the foundation of validity and trust.
There are countless individual traits, and many key attributes; I'm sure the answers you'll receive here will all have merit. That said, I don't believe that any of the traits or attributes you could list would stand up to a lack of integrity.

Response by Ken Kraetzer made May 25 at 2017 5:15 PM

Ken Kraetzer — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:15:27 -0400

The Army has an expression about leadership perhaps at the Lt level, "Being able to get 400 things done everyday with shells flying over your head". Perhaps at another level it is being able to inspire confidence in your organization in the decisions being made at key times.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 5:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:26:05 -0400

Danielle Gray competence. They must know what to do, when to do it, and how. Now as an Engineer officer I do not mean I need to know how to wire a building, but rather how to lead those with that knowledge with a basic knowledge of blue prints, etc.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made May 25 at 2017 7:15 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Thu, 25 May 2017 19:15:18 -0400

You must be steadfast in holding people accountable. If you have an established expectation you must always require adherence. Even when that means it may make you very unpopular.
If you let one person slide one time, you will lose the respect of your team. Being the bad guy every now and then is part of it. Do not shy away from it. If you have trained your team properly they will understand that you must hold them accountable.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made May 26 at 2017 9:24 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Fri, 26 May 2017 09:24:04 -0400

Dedication. If you believe in the mission/objective of the organization and attack every situation that detracts from its accomplishment with an appropriate response, you will establish yourself as a leader. Leadership is all encompassing and exhausting. The key is recognizing the problem and deciding on the most appropriate solution.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2017 1:00 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 May 2017 13:00:33 -0400

Integrity/honesty - Whatever ethical plane you hold yourself to, when you are responsible for a team of people, its important to raise the bar even higher. If you make honest and ethical behavior a key value, your team will follow suit.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made May 27 at 2017 7:09 PM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 27 May 2017 19:09:33 -0400

If I had to pick one, it would be loyalty -- loyalty to the institution and its values, and loyalty to the people entrusted to you.
I will add that loyalty to the institution loses its value if the institution or its values are corrupted.

Response by Sgt Bob Leonard made May 28 at 2017 3:59 AM

Sgt Bob Leonard — Sun, 28 May 2017 03:59:25 -0400

I don't think there can be an answer to that question. It's like asking which is the most important side of a triangle: If they're not all three there, it's not a triangle. (Of course, strong leaders have more than just three outstanding qualities...)

Response by PFC Mark Crotty made Jul 29 at 2022 9:32 AM

PFC Mark Crotty — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:32:25 -0400

Willingness to do the same as you ask your men. Leading by example