Leadership isn’t confined to industries, organizations, or even traditional roles—it’s about inspiring others, empowering teams, and driving change. Women leaders, in particular, have demonstrated exceptional leadership across a range of contexts, proving that great leadership knows no boundaries. Whether running a company, leading a movement, or creating community impact, these traits define effective leadership. Here are eight key traits of great leaders, illustrated by inspiring women, along with actionable tips to help you develop them.
1. Visionary Thinking
Visionary leaders see the bigger picture and work tirelessly to bring it to life, inspiring others to believe in and pursue that vision. A great leader is confident in their vision and their ability to bring it to life. If they appear uncertain or uncommitted, their team will hesitate to follow suit. A visionary leader speaks with conviction about their goals, inspiring trust and motivating others to align with the bigger picture.
Example: Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, turned her vision of comfortable, confidence-boosting shapewear into a billion-dollar empire, revolutionizing the industry.
Tip: Write down your long-term goals and share your vision with others. Break your vision into actionable steps and celebrate milestones along the way.
2. Emotional Intelligence (EI)
A leader with emotional intelligence confidently navigates interpersonal dynamics, showing that they understand and value their team’s emotions. If they appear detached or dismissive, they risk alienating those they lead. A leader who communicates empathy with assurance fosters trust and builds stronger connections within the team.
Example: Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, displayed remarkable empathy and emotional intelligence, especially during times of crisis, such as the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Tip: Practice active listening, acknowledge others’ emotions, and demonstrate compassion. Engage in regular self-reflection to improve your emotional awareness.
3. Decisiveness & Confidence
Decisive leaders instill confidence by taking timely, well-informed actions—even in uncertain situations. A good leader is confident in their ability to lead. If they’re timid and afraid, nobody is going to feel confident following them. A leader who speaks with assertion will find their orders followed effectively, while a leader who hems and haws will frequently open themselves up to negotiation.
Example: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, made bold, decisive moves to address challenges like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tip: Identify the critical factors in a decision and gather the necessary information quickly. Once a decision is made, communicate it clearly and stand by it.
4. Adaptability
Great leaders embrace change and adjust their strategies to meet new challenges or seize emerging opportunities. A leader confident in their ability to adapt reassures their team during times of change. If they seem overwhelmed by uncertainty, their team will mirror that insecurity. A leader who approaches new challenges with a decisive, flexible mindset demonstrates resilience and readiness to pivot effectively.
Example: Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, has led the company through significant transformations, including the push toward electric vehicles and a more inclusive workplace culture.
Tip: Stay curious and open to change. Encourage your team to see challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth.
5. Integrity
Integrity is at the core of trust. Leaders who act with honesty, fairness, and strong moral principles earn lasting respect. Integrity: If a leader isn’t honest and doesn’t adhere to a moral code, how can they willingly expect other people to follow them? When people see that a person walks the walk in addition to talking the talk, they have more respect for that person, and more natural desire to follow them.
Example: Malala Yousafzai’s unwavering commitment to girls’ education, even in the face of life-threatening adversity, has made her a global symbol of integrity and courage.
Tip: Align your actions with your values. Be transparent in your decisions and own up to mistakes to build credibility.
6. Strong Communication Skills
Effective leaders know how to articulate their vision, share ideas, and inspire through clear and engaging communication. It’s incredibly frustrating to work with someone who doesn’t clearly spell out what they want. While miscommunication has literally lost battles and felled empires, good communication can help a leader and their team carry out a mission effectively.
Example: Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Meta (formerly Facebook), has used her voice to advocate for women in leadership through her book Lean In and numerous speaking engagements.
Tip: Practice clarity and focus when communicating. Adapt your communication style to suit your audience and encourage open dialogue to foster collaboration.
7. Resilience
Resilient leaders persevere through adversity, inspiring their teams to stay motivated and overcome challenges together. A resilient leader exudes confidence in their ability to overcome setbacks and challenges. If they crumble under pressure, their team may lose faith in the mission. A leader who stays composed and solutions-focused under stress inspires others to persevere and remain committed to success.
Example: Serena Williams, though primarily known for her athletic achievements, has shown resilience off the court by breaking barriers in sports, entrepreneurship, and activism.
Tip: Focus on solutions and maintain a positive mindset in the face of challenges. Share your journey of resilience to inspire others.
8. Empowering Others
Great leaders recognize the power of empowering others, fostering environments where everyone can grow and succeed. You may think that people have a natural tendency to avoid work, but that’s not entirely true. People actually want to feel useful, and appreciate a leader who can empower them to make the right choices without micromanaging.
Example: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, prioritized mentorship and inclusivity, ensuring her team members were equipped to take on leadership roles themselves.
Tip: Delegate responsibilities thoughtfully, celebrate the contributions of others, and invest in their development through coaching and mentorship opportunities.
9. Commitment
Committed leaders demonstrate dedication to their mission and inspire others through their persistence and focus. A good leader needs to have resolute commitment to their goals if they want their team to unflaggingly follow them uphill. When a leader shows passion, drive, and a willingness to get their hands dirty, the team will rally to the cause.
Example: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s lifelong commitment to gender equality reshaped the legal landscape in the United States.
Tip: Set clear goals, stay focused on your mission, and lead by example with your hard work and determination.
10. Accountability
Accountable leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect. Nobody wants to work for someone who points fingers and passes the buck. It’s whiny, childish, and almost pitiful to see someone in power try and lay the blame on others, especially when those others are the proverbial little people beneath them. By contrast, people appreciate the humility that comes with a sense of accountability—they find it endearing and bonding.
Example: Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, consistently emphasizes accountability in driving results and promoting diversity in leadership.
Tip: Own up to your mistakes, celebrate successes with your team, and set clear expectations to hold yourself and others accountable.
11. Empathy
Empathetic leaders understand and prioritize the needs and emotions of others, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. The best of leaders not only commands a team—they know their team. A leader who knows names, faces, and stories is someone with a team that feels appreciated, which in turn translates into success.
Example: Michelle Obama, through her initiatives as First Lady, championed causes like education, military families, and healthy living with deep empathy for the people she served.
Tip: Take time to understand others’ perspectives and challenges. Use empathy to guide your decisions and build stronger relationships.
12. Intelligence
Great leaders demonstrate intelligence through strategic thinking, problem-solving, and continuous learning. You don’t have to be the brightest crayon in the box about everything, but you better know what you’re talking about if you’re a leader—and if you don’t, at least surround yourself with people who do.
Example: Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician whose calculations were critical to space exploration, exemplified intelligence and innovation in her leadership and contributions.
Tip: Stay curious and open to learning. Hone your problem-solving skills by studying challenges deeply and thinking critically about solutions.
Leadership is a journey of growth, driven by the ability to inspire, connect, and empower others. Women leaders across industries and causes demonstrate that these traits transcend traditional boundaries, proving that anyone can lead with purpose and impact.
By cultivating these twelve traits, you can position yourself as a leader who not only achieves goals but also uplifts those around you. Whether you’re leading a team, a community initiative, or a global movement, these qualities will help you make a meaningful difference.
