8 Traits of a Great Leader in Any Context

There have been hundreds of thousands of leaders throughout history—and probably millions today, leading in various government and workforce capacities. What are some of the traits that are common to good and effective leaders?

 

1. 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.

 

2. Confidence. 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.

 

3. Commitment. 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.

 

4. 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. 

 

5. Accountability. 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.

 

6. Empathy. 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.

 

7. Empowerment. 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.

 

8. Intelligence. 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.

8 Traits of a Bad Leader in Any Context

Everyone wants to be led by a good leader, but let’s face it—some leaders are just not good. Whether it’s on the battlefield, the sports pitch, or the sales floor, certain qualities are universal about bad leaders; they tend to be…

 

1. Dismissive. My way or the highway is the attitude of some leaders, but their teams really hate it, especially when they’re doing something wonky or stupid—and they keep doing it. A bad leader refuses to listen to any of the players on their team, probably because they’re so…

 

2. Egotistical. Nobody wants to work for a pompous person who thinks they’re the king of the world. Leaders with a big ego tend to lay blame on others, and accept praise when others are successful. They also tend to unapproachable, which scares people off and fosters poor communication.

 

3. Un-empathetic. Not caring about your employees is a surefire way to make them feel unimportant and unappreciated, which in turn will lead them to unplug from the cause and find a different one where their contribution is celebrated. 

 

4. Grudge-bearing. A good leader forgets personal offense and moves on, especially if they want to create a functional environment. By contrast, a poor leader holds on to personal offense and lets it affect everyone else’s work environment. 

 

5. Permissive of Negativity. A good leader creates a safe space for his crew, but a poor leader fosters dissension, strife, and argument. To be fair, there have been plenty of effective leaders who have played people against each other, but those leaders usually get violently deposed in a coup…and you probably don’t want that if you’re a leader.

 

6. Inconsistency. This particular point can drive people insane. It is impossible to create a functional environment when the person in charge is frequently changing what they want. You can never meet their expectations, and everyone’s time and money is wasted chasing the desires of yesterday. 

 

7. Not transparent. Granted, a leader should not necessarily reveal everything to their team (for example, pay grades and salaries), but when it comes to operational goals, it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page. A lack of clear direction because of hidden agendas will frequently put employees up against a wall of confusion. 

 

8. Overworked. An overworked leader is stressed out, snappy, and perhaps most importantly, shows employees that work-life balance is unimportant—a bad philosophy for human beings who often have personal responsibilities outside of work.

6 Traits of a Great Leader in the Workplace

When we think of leadership, we sometimes think of epic moments like George Washington crossing the Delaware, or Martin Luther King Jr. speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But what makes a leader great in a less epic venue, like work?

 

1. Communication

 

A good leader at work is a good communicator and clearly spells out expectations. Not only that, they foster good communication between their team. A great leader goes above and beyond leveraging chats, emails, and texting groups to bring their team together around workplace issues. They don’t just offer tools for networking—they help develop a sense of how to communicate effectively. 

 

2. Empathy

 

A good leader in the workplace cares about their employees and shows it. Remembering the details of their lives and asking follow up questions (in a non-invasive way) about spouses, children, parents, and life events shows that they care about their employees and view them as more than just human chattel.

 

3. Approachability

 

A good leader is someone who people are not afraid to approach with a question or concern. Sometimes the office door needs to be closed. But when it doesn’t, leave it open, and maybe even have a bowl of candy or some coffee for visiting employees. They shouldn’t dread your office like they did the principal’s; they should know it’s a safe haven they can turn to for help.

 

4. Generosity

 

Everybody loves a boss who does nice things for the team, whether it’s renting a food cart for lunch or taking everyone to a movie. Bosses and managers who use rewards to motivate their team rather than threats and punishments will find they have a much more effective workforce under their employ. 

 

5. Passion

 

As the captain of the team, you’ll find that leading with example is the best way to go. If you’re plugged into the mission of your company or care about what your business does, that enthusiasm will be contagious and spread to your workers. Read up regularly on your field, network at events and attend conferences to be a cutting edge player in your line of work. 

 

6. Firmness

 

Nobody wants a tyrant for a boss, but they also don’t want a pushover. A good leader needs to be firm and resolute and also know when to put their proverbial foot down in a respectful way, whether it’s breaking up a water-cooler party or discussing mismanaged time with an employee. Clarify your principles and rules and stick to your guns—although per our earlier points, know when to bend the rules for extenuating circumstances.

5 Awesome Leaders throughout History and What Made Them Great

There have been many leaders in history, but here are five whose greatness has stood the test of time. 

 

Julius Caesar

 

Caesar is the quintessential ruler and one of the most emulated and celebrated figures in history. A brilliant general, he was also a political mastermind and facilitated the end of the Republic and the birth of the Empire. The dude also deserves some serious street cred…he was stabbed 23 times before dying. 

 

George Washington

 

Truth be told, there was nothing particularly special about Washington’s generalship. However, he held a rag-tag army together through the Revolutionary War and played a key role in defeating the greatest empire of the day: Great Britain. What made Washington stand out as a leader is that after the war, a person of his stature and fame could easily navigated their way into the role of monarch for life. But Washington was dedicated to the idea of a republic, and refused to become more than a civilian leader—the first president of the United States.

 

Napoleon Bonaparte

 

What made Napoleon great were his qualities of military genius, perseverance, and contagious enthusiasm for victory. Say what you will of his supposedly diminutive size, but the dude practically conquered all of Europe. After he was deposed and exiled to Corsica, he secretly returned to France and rallied the army back to his cause. He almost went on another unstoppable rampage, but the battle of Waterloo shut him down. This time the British took no chances and exiled him to a small island off the coast of Africa.

Abraham Lincoln

 

One trait that makes a leader stand out is integrity, bravery, and calm in the face of fire; it takes a lot of leadership skill to hold a country together through civil war—but even more skill to help it heal and reconcile after the war is over. Lincoln—16th President of the United States—was also a great orator with firm resolution and belief in the American ideals promulgated by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

 

Mahatma Gandhi  

 

It’s pretty hard to win a battle with guns, tanks, and planes, but seemingly impossible to win it without firing a single shot. Gandhi led India against the rule of the British and preached ideas of non-violence, instead leveraging the power of protests and boycotting. What makes Gandhi stand out as a leader is his commitment to peace and his belief in the value of human life.

Every Person Should Have These 5 Life Goals

When we hear about goals, they often sound like something that changes year to year, and frequently has to do with money or weight loss. But here are 5 goals that every person should strive toward every day. 

 

1.    True Happiness

 

Happiness is not really a destination as much as it is a state of mind. A billionaire could be miserable about what they don’t have, while a homeless dude could be happy to score a hot shower and a cooked meal at the local shelter. 

 

Happiness is all about perspective. While goals relating to tangible things like money can prove unsatisfying quests, the search for genuine happiness is one that will help you gain a more fulfilled and serene life.

 

2.    Integrity

 

From business to interpersonal relationships, when you live life with honesty and commitment to ethical values, you’ll find that a rewarding sense of wholeness awaits you. Integrity is a goal that will help you feel like you’re making the world a better place with your presence. 

 

3.    Fulfillment

 

You can plug away at a nine-to-five job until you retire, but chances are that’s not going to make you live life to the fullest. You’ll be one of those faceless people in the crowd who live for the weekend—then trudge back to work. 

 

Instead, reflect on who you are, your strengths, your desires, and act accordingly. Whether it’s learning to find meaning at work, a career path that challenges you, or engaging with some satisfying hobbies, fulfillment in life is a great goal.

 

4.    Connection

 

Human beings are social creatures, so forging good relationships is the key to thriving and feeling happy. Family, professional, and personal relationships are all crucial components to providing a sense of connectedness with the rest of humanity—so make good friendships and foster existing links with family. 

 

At the same time, relationships do need boundaries, so learning how to create healthy interactions is also crucial for developing your sense of identity. 

 

5.    Self-Worth

 

Nobody can be successful in life if they’re down in the dumps, so fostering a sense of self-worth is an esteemed goal that every person should pursue. There are many simple ways to do this—for example, treating yourself with dignity and respect by wearing clean clothes and practicing good hygiene. 

 

Education is also a key component to developing a sense of worth, because with that knowledge comes better opportunities a sense of security.

 

6 Ways to Stay on Track with Your Goals

Easier said than done, the expression goes. But when it comes to not doing work toward your goals, falling back on this expression can have some serious consequences. Here are a few tips for staying on track. 

 

1.    Write it down. 

 

When it comes to keeping appointments and meeting deadlines, most people have to write them down—or else they somehow disappear until after they’ve passed. The same is true with goals. Without visually concretizing your aim in writing, your goal is likely to dissipate into thin air.

 

2.    Set a schedule. 

 

If your goal doesn’t have a due date, then you can always keep putting it off if things get in the way, or even if you just feel lazy. Put the goal on your calendar. If it’s something big, don’t try to cram too many other things into the days before your deadline.

 

3.    Break it down. 

 

Your goal will be easier to accomplish if you break it down into digestible steps. When architects plan a building, they don’t just put it up in one day: it’s built in parts, from the foundation up. The same is true with your goal. Break it down into weekly, monthly, or even yearly chunks, depending on how far out the deadline is.

 

4.    Get Accountable. 

 

Studies have shown that when you have to report to someone else, you’re more likely to stay on track. Pick an accountability buddy—it could be someone working towards the same goal, like a gym partner, or perhaps just a friend or family member. Set up times when you’ll check in and notify them of your progress.

 

5.    Be Positive. 

 

Remember the story of The Little Engine That Could—he was able to climb the hill because he kept on saying “I think I can, I think I can.” You should have the same reaction towards your goals: verbal and mental positivity. Use affirmations, positive thinking, and support from those around you to reach for the clouds.

 

6.    Treat Yourself. 

 

When you hit a milestone, do something nice for yourself, whether it’s going out to lunch or buying a new article of clothing. Plan a special event or prepare to claim a prize when you reach your goal. Teachers are great at leveraging this tactic: when their class hits a behavioral or educational goal they throw a pizza party. Why not use the same strategy and celebrate with a nice treat when you reach the end of the road?

5 Things that Will Happen Without Goal Setting

When it comes to setting goals, you may wonder why it’s necessary. But here are just a few of the dire consequences that can come about from not picking a destination and reaching to get there.

 

1.    You’ll get lost. 

 

If you were a pirate looking for treasure, you won’t just start digging around willy-nilly for treasure. You’d probably get an ancient map with an x that marks the spot. The same is true for setting goals—if you don’t set goals, you’ll wander around aimlessly in every area of life, blowing around where the wind takes you—and sometimes that place is not so good.

 

2.    You’ll miss opportunities. 

 

When it comes to work and even life in general, people only seek out assistance from those who are motivated and moving somewhere. If you don’t set goals and complacently just “roll with it” all the time—whether professionally or personally—you’ll miss promotions, pay raises, and invitations you’d otherwise get if you had some goals you were working towards, such as finding a better job or dating that special someone.

 

3.    You’ll lose the power of attraction. 

 

It’s a hotly debated topic, but many people out there swear there’s something intangibly true about how the way we think and feel affects the world around us. Think good, and it will be good, an old adage goes. With goals, success will come your way. Without goals, you’re not really able to be sure what’s headed your direction. 

 

4.    You’ll feel empty inside. 

 

Steven Hawking, one of the greatest scientific minds in modern times, left behind many thoughts about the universe, but one that was applicable even to those who aren’t physicists was to find meaningful work. Goals give you a reason to get up in the morning and embrace the awesome gift that is life. Without goals, you might as well just roll over and go back to sleep—all day. 

 

5.    You won’t feel as good as you can about yourself. 

 

Sometimes people get plagued by doubts about themselves. It’s natural and human to wonder if we really are worth our place in the world. Of course, the answer is that each and every person has a unique piece in the puzzle, otherwise they wouldn’t be here. But in order to tap into that sense of self-worth, you need to set some goals and get working. You’ll feel great when you achieve them, and purposeful as you work towards them.

5 Reasons Setting Goals is Important in Every Area of Life

When it comes to most areas of life, people tend to float around and embrace the idea of whatever happens, happens. But here are 5 reasons why setting goals is important, no matter what you’re talking about, whether it’s work, play, or even relationships. 

 

1.    Goals keep you focused. 

 

Imagine a ship setting sail without a destination in mind—as it traveled wherever the winds take it, supplies would eventually run out, and the crew would probably have to resort to cannibalism in order to survive. 

 

Okay, so maybe a lack of goal setting won’t yield such dire results, but you certainly won’t get anywhere specific if you don’t have a plan. Whether you’re talking about work, hobbies, or relationships, setting a goal will keep you moving towards success and fulfillment, without veering off course.

 

2.    Goals help you make a plan of action. 

 

When you know how much you’ve accomplished, you can understand how much you need to achieve and pace yourself accordingly. 

 

For example, if you set a goal for yourself to save up a million dollars for retirement, you believe you’re two decades away from retiring, and have only saved up $500,000, you know you need to save around $2,100 per month. 

 

3.    Goals get you motivated. 

 

Without a goal in mind, you can always say it will happen tomorrow—whatever it is. Of course, once tomorrow arrives, there will be a tomorrow after that, and so on. 

 

Setting a goal with a timetable will force you into some accountability for your actions and force you to get up off the proverbial couch.

 

4.    Goals help you actualize your potential. 

 

Each and every one of us has incredible talents and abilities latently existing within, but very few people actually leverage those talents into something useful. 

 

Setting goals and working towards them is a great way to put your skills to work, while developing and sharpening your natural talents.

 

5.    Goals keep you committed. 

 

One of the biggest deterrents to success is that people just give up along the road. If you set a goal for yourself and stick to it, you can block out unhelpful distractions and resist falling into depression or self-pity when things don’t quite go your way. 

 

You know there’s an awesome view at the top of the mountain and you’re committed to seeing it, no matter how arduous the climb.

4 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing What Goals to Pursue

If you’ve embraced the wonderful practice of setting goals for yourself, kudos to you—but a new challenge can often arise when we start picking too many goals. Here’s a way to sift through the stars and find which ones to reach for.

 

1.    Think about the biggest picture possible. 

 

Sit down for a little reflection, journaling, and exploration of who you are as a person and what matters to you. Try making a list of your ten most important values. Once you’ve done that, think about what you want more than anything else in life, and write that down. 

 

Keep it short, sweet, and to the point, in one sentence—no more. You’ll be amazed about how having clarity on the big picture will help you sort through your goals and find the ones that matter.

 

2.    Think about your budget and compromise accordingly. 

 

When it comes to goal setting, it’s important to think about the constraints you face and be realistic. If you’re holding down a nine-to-five gig within the median salary range, saving up a million dollars in one year is not feasible (probably). 

 

Drop that goal or put it aside for the future, and instead pick something more reasonable like saving up a few thousand dollars. Money is not the only factor; time and physical limitations are also important to consider…which brings us to our next point:

 

3.    Think about your health.

 

If you have a work-related goal—say, to hit six figures or something similar—and your  doctor has also told you that your health is in trouble, it may be time to set aside your money related goals and focus on your health. 

 

Perhaps taking a thirty minute walk every day is more important than squeezing in an extra few hours of work every week. If you don’t pick the former goal, the latter one might drive you to a point where neither goal can be reached.

 

4.    Remember those around you. 

 

If you’re in a situation where other people are dependent on you, say a family or colleagues, you may need to set aside some of your personal goals in favor of meeting their needs. 

 

For example, if you’re a parent of several kids and you want to get a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but your kids are struggling in school, you may want to set aside your drive to be Jackie Chan and spend some time each day helping them with their homework. 

How to Make Some Good Side Money with Content Marketing

One of the best ways you can leverage the financial power of content marketing is not actually in the act of crafting content to market something you offer. 

 

Rather, it’s all about content marketing a good or service offered by other people and then sitting back while readers click on affiliate links and Google Ads. 

 

That said, here are a few of the most lucrative topics to write about—and how much associated Google ads will pay you per user click in 2018.

 

Insurance: $57 CPC. Insurance is the statistically the most lucrative. Car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, business insurance…everybody needs insurance for something. 

 

Gas & Electricity: $54 CPC. This topic is strangely also a gold mine. You could write reviews of different suppliers, and helpful articles on how to save on your bills. 

 

Mortgages: $47 CPC. A home is the largest purchase most people will ever make, so banks and lenders are willing to spend some big bucks to beat out the competition. 

 

Attorneys: $47. There are plenty of ambulance-chasers out there today, and lawyers are coming out of the woodwork left and right. Capitalize on the legal craze by writing articles about topics like hiring a lawyer, small claims court, etc.

 

Loans: $44 CPC. Whether it’s to pay off credit cards, to buy a car, or go to school, lots of people need loans. Write articles about this topic and perhaps direct people toward their options.

 

Donations: $42 CPC. From starving kids in Africa to a local recreation centre, there are plenty of causes that need fundraising, and fundraisers shell out the bucks to advertise. Write articles about this topic, such as the power of giving.

 

Conference Call: $42 CPC. This is something that all businesses need, and if you know anything about business expenditures, you know that companies toss money around more frequently than private individuals. Review different systems and write articles about phone etiquette.

 

Degree: $40 CPC. Everybody (and their grandmother) is going back to school these days, and usually online. Capitalize on education and write some degree-related blogs. 

 

Credit: $38 CPC. Americans (and increasingly everyone else) love spending with plastic. Write reviews of the best cards, or articles on how to build credit.

 

Final word: The content marketing you’re doing for these businesses doesn’t have to be free. After you’ve built some traction on your site, you may as well start selling your content to the businesses you’re writing about… it will prove to be an additional source of revenue, and if their Google ads are any indicator, they’re willing to spend.