What is the profile of today's leader?

The discussion around leadership and what it takes to be a good leader occurs every single day. What are the qualities and expectations of today’s leaders verse those in the past?

First, we must recognize that we live in a very different world today. There are many challenges facing today’s leaders that were not “in play” even five years ago. Jobs are being outsourced, technology and information are instantly accessible and competition is no longer “down the street,” but it is worldwide.

So, leaders today in both the nonprofit and for profit sector have to deal with a lot of variables. For example, raising money or making revenue on the Internet has become a fascinating phenomenon. Leaders have to be much more sophisticated and technologically savvy individuals.

However, leaders today do not have to be a lot different in other ways. There are certain core qualities that are needed to be a successful leader no matter where you are leading and what decade you are leading in.

Here are my top ten core qualities of a leader of an organization:

1. Leaders must build trust with their staff and board or they will never be able to lead at the maximum level.

2. Leaders must be extraordinary communicators. They must communicate effectively with individuals, internal and external stakeholders.

3. Leaders should be humble leaders and, as my grandmother would say, never get “too big for their britches.” Lead by example and knowledge and not by using a heavy hand. Always be fair and sensitive to others.

4. A leader does not spend his or her time being consumed with managing processes and systems. That is management. A leader sees the big picture and provides the strategic thinking needed to take the organization to a different level.

5. Leadership is a combination of ever changing and moving parts. A leader must be flexible, adaptable and accepting of change.

6. A good leader does not have all the answers. There are a lot of great ideas and bright minds that can give great advice and make useful suggestions.

7. A good leader must be willing to get down in the trenches and understand the organization from the ground up. There should be no job too big or too small for a good leader.

8. A good leader should be consistent in their demeanor, attitude and style.

9. A good leader needs to be a good listener. We all grow from listening and learning, no matter who is talking.

10. The leader must always be unselfish and put the mission first. It should never be about the individual leader but that leader is a conduit to success within the overall organization.


Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.