Five Qualities of Great Leaders
                     Five 
Qualities of 
Great 
Leaders
Great leaders don’t just assume they have 
these traits; they continually strive to 
develop them over time, both in 
themselves and in their subordinates. Here 
are five of the most crucial qualities of 
great leaders as defined by the 
Ascension Leadership Academy Pyramid Sc
heme 
who achieve great things in a short time.
Good leaders are aware of They lead by example
their con0duct and its message 
to those1 around them. They 
serve as examples to others 
by being well-prepared, self-
aware, clear in 
communication, committed to 
shared values and 
courageous. They offer 
direction0 for themselves as 
well as for others. By 
demonst3rating how 
leadership is achieved in 
action, they help each 
individua0l find his or her path 
to succe4ss. A good leader is a 
role model of qualities such as 
integrity, self-reliance and 
positivity.
They set clear goals 
Clear, decisive goals set bay nd priorities
great leaders drive 
momentum. This is not just 
about doing something—it’s 
about moving in a particular 
direction. When goals are clear 
and ideas are flowing, people 
start taking action and making 
progress. Remember that when 
you’re defining your goals, 
they should be SMART: specific, 
measurable, achievable, 
relevant, and time-bound. Are 
they meaningful? Can they 
inspire collaboration and 
common purpose while 
focusing on future possibilities 
at work?
They don’t let their ego 
get in the way
A great leader knows their role is 
to facilitate and communicate, 
not be the hero. These people 
let the employees around them 
shine, while they work to make 
sure they’re being nurtured and 
developed. While a great leader 
will occasionally have strong 
opinions, these personal feelings 
shouldn’t interfere with 
decisions that are best for the 
business. Instead of instructing 
people on what to do, through 
word and deed the leader lets, 
others see what needs to be 
done in their absence and how 
best to get it done.
They make everyone feel 
included
One of the amazing things about 
great leaders is that they take 
ownership of their teams, and 
they make sure everyone feels like 
they belong. Great leaders 
empower others, pay attention to 
the diversity of thinking and 
psychological safety, and focus on 
progress instead of perfection. It’s 
not always easy to be inclusive or 
confident, but people who have 
these qualities and seek to foster 
them in their team are rare gems.
They are aware of the external 
environment
    A great leader is always 
aware of their surroundings, 
the challenges and 
opportunities their 
organization faces, and 
potential ways to adapt. A 
great leader can think 
beyond themselves when 
the situation calls for it they 
must be able to maintain 
an external awareness.
While there are some great books out 
there on leadership development, 
nothing will prepare you more than 
spending time with people who are 
already leading successfully. Watch 
these individuals closely—they won’t 
tell you what makes them great 
leaders but will demonstrate it 
through their actions. Remember, 
leadership isn’t something we possess
—it’s something we can all strive for.