Next Level Blog
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Five Traits of the Most Admired Leaders April 21 2010
Among the many things I like about our group coaching program, Next Level Leadership™, one of my favorites is when the high potential leader participants share with each other what they learned in their senior executive shadow days. Here’s how the shadow day works. To broaden their perspective on the organizational presence aspect of leadership, the participants spend the day shadowing a senior leader in their business. The agenda is simple – be the senior executive’s shadow for the day. Attend her staff meetings, go to her briefings, sit in on meetings she has with the C suite or board members, meet with the customers. The high potential leader is there to observe and learn from whatever the senior exec is doing that day. If the senior executive is responsible for a different part of the organization than the high potential leader comes from, so much the better. It helps broaden the perspective of the high potential that much more.
It’s almost always an eye opening experience for the high potential leaders in the program. The fun part for me is listening to everyone come back together and tell their stories about what they did and saw on their shadow day. We had one of those sessions yesterday in a Next Level Leadership™ program. As we’ve been having these shadow day debriefing sessions in different companies over the past few years, I’ve been keeping some notes about the traits of the senior executives that the group coaching participants admire the most. Here are five traits of the most admired leaders that show up on the list again and again:
1. They listen. One highly admired executive told his shadow day participant that, “My job is to get them to tell me everything.” His point is he wants to know and shape what’s going on in his very large, complex organization. He does that by showing up as a listener which makes people comfortable telling him what’s going on.
2. They’re present. The most admired senior leaders give their full presence and attention in the meetings they’re in. They focus intently on the conversation and who’s participating. They don’t show any signs of being distracted by electronic devices or the other ten things on their calendar that day. When they’re meeting with you, they’re meeting with you.
3. They prepare. The most admired leaders get more done in a day because they are well prepared for each meeting they attend. They read the briefings ahead of time. They publish their agendas in advance. They set the expectation that everyone else in the meeting will be prepared as well.
4. They’re open. The executives that the high potentials admire the most view themselves as people who uncover potential problems and help others get them resolved. They understand that to do that they have to be open to any and all information that’s presented. That’s the way that problems get surfaced.
5. They challenge. The most admired executives challenge without being challenging. They don’t get in people’s grills and intimidate them. They challenge conventional thinking and help people see alternatives by asking good, open ended questions. Often, they’ll ask those questions more than once. They challenge their teams to challenge their own thinking.
That’s not an exhaustive list. What would you add? What are the traits of the senior leaders you most admire? Leave a comment and add to the list.
Scott Eblin is an executive coach, speaker and author of 
Hi Scott,
I love the idea of having high potential leaders shadow an Executive. Not only is it a rich learning experience it can provide insights into what Executives do with their time. Often times people think Executives sit in their offices doing nothing except finding ways to make everyone's life more difficult. This activity allows others to gain perspective and appreciation for the company and the folks working hard at the top.
Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
What a terrific list – thanks for capturing so clearly!
Scott, leaders are also consistent, persistent and do not play favorites. Their favorite is a combination of what's best for the customer and company. They are seen as consistently doing "the right thing" in professional and personal behavior. Very good list and perspective. Mike
For me listening has to be the biggest factor that makes a successful leader. You could hold evry other quality, but if your not prepared to give time and listen to your employees you would gain no respect and consequently not be admired!
Hello Scott,
Leaders have integrity and "do the right thing". Too often, leaders believe in doing things right, instead of doing the right thing. There is an ocean of difference between the two.
Hi Scott.
Good list.
Let's add High Standards and Courage to it… having the courage to tell the truth, to execute, to do what's right regardless of the pressure. I think Roger Goodell's handling of the Roethlisberger situation demonstrates both.
Bill Catlette
Hi Scott:
Thanks for the list and the great observations about the value of shadowing. I've included a few more admirable qualities worthy of noting here: http://www.n2growth.com/blog/15-traits-of-great-l…
Thanks Scott
Leaders take risks and initiative when no one else is raising his/her hand.
Scott, thank you for your post. I teach leadership development to undergraduate college students, and the "listening" part is difficult to grasp at times for young people who are confident that the "old way" (whatever that may be) is bad. Understanding that listening is part of leading can be tough for anyone to grasp, especially when you're young and invincible! (I write more about higher education at http://campusleader.wordpress.com.)
I believe leader follow the three "R's", do the Right thing at the Right time for the Right reasons. By following this you are more respected by all of your coworkers and peers.
ADDING RESPECT AND RECOGNITION
They Recognize, Respect and Appreciate. — What employee does not wish to be honored, valued, recognized and appreciated for what they do and accomplish? Treating your staff the way you wish to be treated is compelling and the mark of a trusted, ‘appreciated’ leader.
Bernie Donkerbrook
Ann Arbor, MI
Thanks for sharing this. I am however confused on how leaders should behave. Should leaders observe the hierarchy at work? Can Clerk go up to the leader and discuss matters officially or is only the supervisors who can talk to leaders? What do you say to this?
It depends a lot on the culture of the organization Carla. My best case scenario is that everyone feels free to contribute their best ideas regardless of status or rank.