What are the skills that a leader needs? What are the most important behaviors that a leader must adapt to and use?
Over the past three decades, Stewart Leadership has collected over 10,000 responses from our 360-degree leadership assessment. These responses come from executives, managers, and employees from Fortune 500, mid-sized, start-up, and government organizations across multiple industries.
From a list of 78 leadership behaviors, each participant was asked to rank the top behaviors of an “ideal leader” (one they would like to work for). Our team analyzed and ranked the responses to identify the Top Ten Most Desired Leadership Behaviors. Note that these behaviors are listed in order from highest to lowest, so the first trait is the most desired. Look through this list, and see how you are doing in your leadership activities.
Table of Contents
10 Most Desired Behaviors of an Ideal Leader
1. Sets Clear Strategic Direction
Employees thrive when leaders provide clarity about organizational direction. Understanding the bigger picture helps team members prioritize effectively, make better decisions, and connect their individual contributions to meaningful outcomes. This eliminates the frustration of working on tasks that might not matter and gives purpose to daily activities.
2. Knows When to Stop Analyzing and Make Decisions
Team momentum depends on leaders who can make timely decisions. Among the most desired leadership behaviors is the ability to gather input, weigh options thoroughly, and then commit to a path forward—even with imperfect information. When leaders demonstrate decisive action, employees feel empowered to move projects ahead rather than remaining stuck in perpetual deliberation.
3. Follows Through on Actions, Promises, and Assignments
Reliability forms the foundation of trust between employees and leadership. Consistently delivering on commitments signals respect for team members' time and contributions. When leaders follow through, whether on providing feedback, addressing workplace concerns, or answering questions, employees become more willing to invest discretionary effort, knowing their work won't be wasted.
4. Has the Necessary Skills and Knowledge to Perform Effectively
Employees value leaders with relevant expertise and understanding. While leaders don't need to surpass team members in specialized skills, this desired leadership behavior ensures that managers grasp the challenges employees face. When leaders demonstrate competence, conversations become more productive, guidance more valuable, and employees feel more comfortable bringing forward problems knowing their manager understands the context.
5. Demonstrates High Ethical Standards
Working under leaders with unwavering ethics gives employees confidence that their values won't be compromised. This highly desired leadership behavior becomes particularly evident during difficult situations. Leaders who consistently choose the ethical path,even when it's more challenging or costly, reassure team members that the organization prioritizes principles alongside profits.
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6. Lives, Leads, Manages, and Works with Integrity
Consistency between words and actions represents one of the most fundamentally desired leadership behaviors. Employees quickly recognize when leaders apply the same standards to themselves that they expect from others. This alignment creates psychological safety, encouraging authenticity throughout the organization and building a foundation of trust that supports honest communication.
7. Accepts Responsibility for Own Actions
Few desired leadership behaviors build respect faster than accountability. When leaders acknowledge their mistakes without deflecting blame or making excuses, they create an environment where everyone can be human. This behavior from leadership makes employees feel safer taking appropriate risks and speaking up when problems arise, knowing the focus will be on solutions rather than assigning blame.
8. Leverages the Strengths of Each Team Member
The difference between feeling valued and feeling like an interchangeable resource often depends on whether leaders recognize individual contributions. Taking time to understand employees' unique strengths and aligning responsibilities accordingly significantly increases engagement and productivity. It demonstrates that leaders are invested in team members' success rather than simply completing tasks.
9. Treats Others with Dignity
Basic respect profoundly impacts employees' daily experience. Among the most consistently desired leadership behaviors is treating everyone with dignity—listening attentively, communicating respectfully even during disagreements, and considering the impact of words and actions. This fundamental consideration creates an environment where employees feel safe contributing ideas and raising concerns.
10. Creates a Working Environment that Motivates High Performance
The atmosphere leaders cultivate largely determines whether employees give minimum effort or bring their best each day. This desired leadership behavior involves removing obstacles, providing necessary resources, recognizing achievements, and connecting individual work to meaningful outcomes. Such supportive environments naturally motivate excellence and strengthen organizational commitment.
Leadership Behaviors: the Foundation of success
With so much discussion these days on how to create engaged and committed employees, the answer lies with so many of these behaviors. Employees expect leaders to establish a clear direction and to support that focus with thoughtful and deliberate decisions. We all expect leaders to follow through on their commitments, do what they say, and understand what they are talking about. This does not mean that leaders need to have all the answers. They can respect the contributions of others in doing great things and finding new solutions together. Ultimately, leaders build an environment of accountability both for themselves and for others where high performance can occur.
These ten most desired leadership behaviors aren't simply nice-to-have qualities—they represent the foundation of organizational success. Leaders who consistently demonstrate these behaviors build stronger teams, achieve better results, and create workplaces where talent wants to stay and grow. In an era of increasing competition for skilled workers, these leadership qualities have never been more important.
Self-Check
- So, how do you measure up to this Top Ten list?
- How have you adapted your behaviors to new leadership situations?
- Which of these behaviors would you like to further develop?
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