Positive, predictable, purposeful, and capable

Only four traits matter when it comes to being a strong leader.

The internet is full of lists of what will make you a successful leader. Looking through job descriptions for managers, directors, and executives, there is no shortage of what is required of a leader: strategizing, performance management, coaching, communication, process development, budget planning and it goes on. That’s all fine, but in my experience, four simple personality traits will go a long way — a strong leader is positive, predictable, purposeful, and capable.

Positive

Being positive seems like a no-brainer — who doesn’t like working with positive people? Yet it is a trait not commonly found in leaders who deal with their own stress poorly or like to push their people hard. I’m sure you will agree, that there are quite a few of those.

The logic of being positive is however quite simple: either everything is great or it isn’t. If everything is great, you have a lot of reason and opportunity to be positive. Remind your people of their achievements, celebrate, and be the wind in everyone’s back. If everything isn’t great, your people probably need help to see the light at the end of the tunnel and certainly don’t need you to make it worse. When things are hard, chances are that your people are already beating themselves up for the lack of success. You don’t have to do it as well. Instead, offer your perspective and a positive outlook — help everyone find their way out of the darkness. So it follows from this that whether everything is great or it isn’t, being positive is always the right response.

Being positive doesn’t mean covering up bad news, putting lipstick on pigs, or not telling people when they mess up. You can be direct, candid, and tell it as it is and still be helpful, hopeful, and positive. When you have bad news, it’s important to communicate it with the appropriate severeness. No need to over- or underdo it. Very few of us work in fields where it’s the end of the world if things aren’t going exactly according to plan, so don’t act like it’s the end of the world. Give direction and provide a plan forward — you’re the leader and that’s your responsibility.

Predictable

I once had a manager, who told me that the most important trait of a leader is to be predictable. It’s one of the most useful pieces of advice, I have ever received. Being predictable means that you’re always the same person, no matter what you’re going through. Whether you slept like a baby or not at all, whether you just left a good or a ghastly meeting, whether you have personal problems or not — you’re the same and your team counts on it.

To be predictable, you need to know your leadership style. For example, if you like to challenge your people, make sure to challenge everyone in the same way, always. Consistently challenging your people means they’ll get used to it and be prepared for it. Consistently challenging your people also means that they will never waste their time on preparation because one day, you weren’t asking them any questions. Or if you’re the type who likes to provide feedback in private afterward, make sure to do that always. That way your people won’t be surprised when you’re suddenly pulling them aside or wait for it if you don’t. Because they know what to expect from you, their energy can go towards real work.

No one wants to worry about who comes into the office today — whether you’re Mr. Scrooge or Cindarella today— they all have more important work to do. So no matter whether you’re cool as a cucumber or have a temper, be predictable. Even if you have a worrisome personality, then be worrisome all the time. That way, people will trust you.

Purposeful

Companies of course exist to turn a profit for their owners or shareholders, but they also exist to solve a problem. What is yours? You need to understand what the purpose is of all our hard work — who are you helping and what are their pains? Ideally, the world becomes just a tiny bit better every day you go to work. As a leader, you should be able to explain how.

You need to be able to convey why your company exists (beyond making money) at all times in a meaningful, relevant, and believable way to anyone interested. And you need to be able to bake that purpose into everything the company does, in the grand annual report and on the smallest button label. Part of being purposeful is also the ability to set goals that your people will believe. Read more about that in Set goals like a gold miner.

Being able to communicate a strong purpose will help you, also when things turn sour. It will help with a positive outlook because no matter the hardships you experience as a team, the end game is worth the struggle.

Capable

As a leader, you need to understand very well what your job is and what it isn’t. If your job is to hire and grow people, then do it. If your job is to pitch and close deals, do it. If your job is to strategize and make plans and let others execute, then do that. Don’t leave it to others to fix, what you should be fixing. And don’t leave it to others to communicate what you should be communicating.

At the same time, make sure to let everyone else do their job. Nothing is more dangerous than a manager who thinks she can do the work of the team. You hired people for a reason and few things are more demotivating at work than your manager doing your job.

Just like your people are perfecting their craft in design, engineering, sales, or marketing, you should be perfecting your leadership craft. Having high standards are contagious and the care you put into your communication, performance, and leadership will be reflected by your team. E.g. if you write sloppy emails, how can you expect your team to care about the details?

I believe that if you’re positive, predictable, purposeful, and capable, people will enjoy working with you through both highs and lows. And nothing else matters.