What does it mean to be a good leader?

Throughout my life, I have aimed to be a good example, friend, coworker, and parent, without realizing that all these roles share a common thread: the duty of leadership.

Let’s explore what this means and why it is important to surround ourselves with good leaders. A good leader has a clear vision and can articulate it effectively to inspire and guide others toward a common goal. They show genuine care for their team members, understanding their needs and providing support when necessary. A good leader acts with integrity and honesty, setting a positive example for others. They are trustworthy and can effectively communicate, give feedback, and resolve conflicts.

Good leaders adapt quickly to changing circumstances and remain flexible, making timely and well-considered decisions, especially in challenging situations. They empower their team members by delegating responsibilities. A leader is only effective because they are part of a group; leadership cannot exist in a vacuum. Accountability is one of the highest attributes of a good leader.

Becoming a good leader is a continuous journey of learning and growth. I was not born a leader and do not always consider myself one. I have seen both good and bad examples of leadership throughout my life and career, which helped me carve my own path and better define my leadership style. There is no “one size fits all” approach to leading a team; much depends on the team members and the situation at hand. Nonetheless, I have learned key aspects that shape my idea of a good leader.

At the top of my list is Emotional Intelligence. I work hard to understand and manage my own emotions while recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. Happy team members tend to perform better. I lead with this in mind, not to create a party atmosphere, but to listen, adapt, provide feedback, and empower, all while leading by example.

Every day, I learn something new by working with others and keeping an open mind. Leadership is not about having all the answers but about guiding and supporting my team to achieve their best.

— Astrid Paredes

As someone who manages a team at Dennis Group, I ruminate a lot. When I reflect on my team and effectiveness, I don’t usually ask myself, “Am I being a good leader?” but I do ask a lot of other questions:

• Am I managing the way I would like to be managed?
• Am I providing clear direction, transparency, and support?
• Do people feel satisfied in their roles, and do they feel heard?
• Is my department fulfilling its obligation to the company and doing so with good character?
• Are workflows running smoothly?
• How can I make things better?

There are so many components to being a good leader: sound judgment, clear communication, genuine interest in team development, the ability to provide context and cohesion, and the desire to bridge gaps when they emerge. There are even aspects of good leadership that might ultimately be impossible to define.

However, there is one characteristic that remains at the forefront of my mind and which has saved me from a lot of unnecessary negativity while helping to propel me forward: the ability to remain inquisitive.

To inquire and question, whether it be to myself or in counsel with other team members or mentors has proven useful in so many aspects of my work. To begin any challenge with an investigative approach, a sense of neutrality, and a focus on resolution is a continuous goal. Instead of jumping to conclusions or having an emotional reaction, I just ask, “Why?” This type of mindset is and will remain a work in progress for me, but when practiced effectively, it continues to bear fruit.

To quote Ted Lasso (who was quoting Walt Whitman): “Be curious, not judgmental.”

— Diane Matuszek

After working at Dennis Group for 25 years, I have found that a good leader inspires, guides, and empowers others to achieve shared goals. Leadership goes beyond authority; it’s about setting a positive example, showing integrity, and building trust within a team. A good leader listens to the team attentively, values diverse perspectives, and encourages collaboration. They communicate clearly by providing both direction and support while fostering an environment of transparency.

Effective leadership involves understanding the needs and motivations of individuals and offering constructive feedback. A good leader recognizes the strengths of their team members, delegates tasks appropriately, and nurtures their growth. They are adaptable and able to make tough decisions when necessary, but remain open to learning and evolving with the team.

Leadership requires having a vision and aligning the team’s efforts toward that vision. A leader must also care for their team’s well-being and create a safe space where people feel valued and motivated by their accomplishments.

Ultimately, a good leader fosters a culture of accountability, where everyone feels responsible for the success of the group. A leader’s ability to inspire trust, cultivate potential, and lead by example makes all the difference in achieving both individual and collective success.

We have some of the best engineers and architects in the world working at Dennis Group, so sometimes a good leader just needs to know when to get out of the way.

— Scott Targos

When I think about good leaders, they all seem to have similar traits. They want to take care of the people around them. They want to see them be their best selves and grow as they succeed together. They understand themselves and use that self-awareness to be genuine in how they approach their teams. They actively listen in order to understand every situation and use that information to make good decisions for the betterment of the team. Many of them define integrity as doing what is right even when no one is watching.

Good leaders earn the trust of the people around them through their humility and selflessness. They show gratitude for the contributions of team members. They hold the team accountable for their commitments. They understand that respect is earned and not given.

Learning is a never-ending journey for a good leader. Excellent communication allows them to describe the challenges ahead, lay out a vision for how they can be overcome, and praise those that helped conquer them. Their resilience is typically a stabilizing force for the team, especially during tough times. A good leader knows that you can’t do it all by yourself and works to influence others to accomplish the common goal.

— Rod Walker

Being a good leader isn’t about ordering people around to achieve your own goals. The people you lead aren’t minions that exist to prop up your career. You’re there to hold them up and help them become the people they hope to be and that you know they can be. There are a million ways to lead, and the exact method matters less than the intent.

There are some basic things you’re entitled to in any relationship—respect, trust, clear expectations—but every leader brings their own perspective and their own strengths and individual character. Being true to those things is far more important than trying to fulfill some idealized version of success or generic textbook definition.

What matters is caring about the people you lead and the things you’re trying to accomplish together. When you have that, the right things to do for your people and your work become obvious.

It can be tempting to simply equate leadership to authority, but being given authority just makes you a manager, not a leader. Earning the respect and trust of your team and understanding the responsibility that comes with that trust is what makes you a leader. You earn it by creating an environment where people want to do their best work. You don’t even have to be in a position of authority to practice good leadership. Authority is not required to care about those around you and help each other achieve your goals, grow, or create that constructive environment. You don’t need anyone’s permission to be a good leader.

— Jinmu Staddon