As per the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a leader is someone who leads. This falls way short of the actual function and quality of a leader.  The leadership gene is there in each one of us but we tend to ignore those qualities in favour of conformity or social acceptance. We also tend to React rather than Act. The need to go slow and achieve more is a powerful tool and accelerates the leadership gene. However, there are certain characteristics of a Leader that make them stand out against the crowd.

We have all heard that leaders are those who create other leaders. What is it that leaders do differently that so inspire and motivate others. Having been privileged in working with some excellent leaders, I have noted 3 common traits among leaders. Here goes:

The Earthquake Proof Leader

The earthquake here is not the ground shaking variety but rather the unexpected earth shattering one. Leaders are resilient, strong, courageous and in control of their emotions. They are not among those managers who start blaming the team or throwing their weight around. Earthquakes happen. This is a part of life and of any business. It is the quality of the leader to be stoic, to focus NOT on what happened but to immediately move onto NOW WHAT.

Being earthquake proof requires mental and emotional strength. Leaders are people who are in control of their reactions. The success formula by Jack Canfield defines Success as Event + Reaction = Outcome. We cannot control the event but our reaction to the event does control the outcome. A negative reaction creates a negative outcome while a positive reaction creates a positive outcome. It sounds easy but requires a lot of self-control and emotional fortitude.

How does this inspire the people around them?

People react to this leadership quality consciously or even unconsciously. They know that here is an individual who has the answers. Their leader will not shout, yell or blame them. They are in a trust-oriented environment and will be heard. Being honest, vocal and giving straight answers without the fake sugar coating will be appreciated by their leader. The focus will be on solutions. They know there is someone tall and strong who is standing guard over them like an umbrella or shield protecting them at all costs.

The team reacts to this leadership trait by becoming emotionally strong themselves and always thinking of solutions. They don’t waste time assigning blame. It’s also important to note here that teams working with earthquake proof leaders are also good decision makers themselves. The leader has slowly and surely encouraged the team to make decisions. Applauded good decisions but most importantly has not annihilated the team for a bad decision. This increases the teams trust in the leader and inspires them to not run for cover but to actually emulate and rally around their leader. Team spirit under an earthquake proof leader is positive, fosters healthy competition and creates an engaged work space.

Earthquake Proof Leaders are dependable, resilient, inspire trust and can be trusted to re-train their focus on solutions.

The Noise Proof Leader

While the Earthquake Proof Leader focuses on his or her reaction, the Noise Proof Leader has an unerring, consistent and determined eye on the Outcome. Interestingly, when selecting mics, there are 3 main variants, the Condenser mics, the Dynamic mics and the Ribbon mics. The mics which cancel out large noise and can be used in crowds are the Dynamic mics. Noise Proof Leaders are not just dynamic but are dynamos in their chosen business / profession.

They have the clarity, the content and the consistency of their trade to focus on outcomes. Not be influenced by all other direction deterring interruptions and obstacles. They know what they want, where they want to go and what needs to be done to accomplish that. These leaders do not get swayed by circumstances and have the ability to stand strong for what they believe in.

I’ve witnessed Investment Bankers sitting quietly around the negotiating table for hours together, listening to all the noise around them and still continue arguing their point. They have their research in place, have faith in their knowledge, in themselves and don’t get deterred by what is happening around them. Like the Earthquake Proof Leader, they too have their emotions well in-charge. They know for a deal to take place it needs to be a win-win on both sides. Patience and consistency are the 2 traits that can get them the best possible outcome.

I’ve observed these traits in leaders who are knowledgeable, capable and are able to focus on their vision for their business / their team / their department. Such Noise Proof Leaders will enter a meeting with set agendas and exit the same meeting having those same agendas addressed. They have not been sidestepped by other more powerful voices or influences. Their strong conviction, knowledge in their products, services, capabilities and quality, empowers them to stand up for what they believe is right.

A close friend who happens to head the Risk Management function of a broking firm has this same quality in spades. She often gets surrounded by Business Managers hoping to get a quick deal across. She has the ability to cancel out all the noise and focus only on what is good for the company. Respect for her role and honouring her function with such dedication, enables her in maintaining her cool and wearing her invisible noise cancelling Dynamic mic. At the start she often received complaints for this quality but over time she has emerged well respected, well trusted and a pillar for the entire firm.

The Noise Proof Leaders are known for their determination, patience, consistency, focus under stress and overall control of the situation at hand.

The Future Ready Leader

While the Earthquake Proof Leaders focus on Reaction and the Noise Proof Leaders focus on the Outcome, the Future Ready Leaders will focus on the Event. A good Future Ready Leader knows that events will come up that can downward spiral their business or department. They are always in strategic mode rather than business as usual (BAU) mode. Enabling them to be ready for any future earth-shattering event. They know that complaining after the event is pointless and a waste of good energy.

They consistently work on their SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats). Anything that has the future capacity to derail their work. With the new wave of digital and social media, which companies or departments have managed to implement these solutions. The focus is still on hiring expensive and inconsistent manpower rather than automation.

For an Un-Future Ready Manager, when faced with any unexpected or even an earlier ignored event, creates a circus for self and team. It becomes a case of Chaos Management rather than managing the event. All resources are deployed, some who are even unqualified as it’s ‘All Hands to the Deck’ time. Each resignation is viewed as a personal vendetta, a personal failure or an earth-shattering event. The lack of forward planning has also ensured that the team is always in fire fighting mode and has no chance for relaxation and planning ahead. Thus increasing their stress levels.

There is an old hindi saying, ‘Dukh Main Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Main Kare Na Koye, Sukh Main Simran Jo Kare, Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye’ (Roughly translated it means – We pray when we suffer and not when we’re happy. The person who prays when happy, why will he suffer).

Yes, there will still be unexpected, unplanned events but these will be few and far between. With the focus on strategic planning, new development and automation, the team stays engaged, their time well utilised and the state of constant new learnings leading only towards growth. The Future Ready Leader is adaptable, flexible, transformative and growth oriented. He / She / They value their teams’ time, looks at adding to their strengths and shoring up their weaknesses.

This over time increases the business / department / team’s resilience, enlarges capacity and makes the transition to unwonted events seamless and automatic. The team under the Future Ready Leader takes on this persona and the discussion focuses more on WHAT NEXT rather than WHAT NOW. This is a healthy way to keep the team engaged and committed to the job.

During one training I attended, the trainer asked what was the most memorable thing that you can recollect about your job. The entire room spoke about the projects they had accomplished or the growth they had seen. None of us spoke about the salary hike or the fantastic bonus we received. It showed me that day that while yes, money is important, it’s the means to an end. Over a long time frame money does add value. However, on a day to day basis, it is the growth orientation and the vision that leaders are able to align their teams to. Their ability to communicate their vision and their passion to the team. This is the real motivation.

The Future Ready Leaders are known for their vision, strategy, communication, planning and implementation well in advance for any perceived threats or any weaknesses that require firming up.  

A Leader is a Leader only if he / she / they can be Earthquake Proof, Noise Proof and Future Ready.

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