September Readers’ Poll Results: Leadership
September’s newsletter and poll focused on leadership themes: how libraries lead in their communities,
and the qualities of great leaders in the library field. When asked to select the two most important
qualities of a great leader, communication and inspiration topped the list of poll choices, with
communication taking a notable lead.
The “Charismatic Connector”
One reader included an interesting quote from a recent Harvard Business Review article, regarding
charismatic connectors:
"The ideal team player... In both productivity-focused and creativity-focused teams, we have discovered
the data signature of what we consider the best type of team member. Some might call these
individuals ‘natural leaders.’ We call them ‘charismatic connectors.’ Badge data show that these people
circulate actively, engaging people in short, high-energy conversations. They are democratic with their
time -- communicating with everyone equally and making sure all team members get a chance to
contribute. They're not necessarily extroverts, although they feel comfortable approaching other
people. They listen as much as or more than they talk and are usually very engaged with whomever
they're listening to. We call it ’energized but focused listening.’
The best team players also connect their teammates with one another and spread ideas around. And
they are appropriately exploratory, seeking ideas from outside the group but not at the expense of
group engagement. In a study of executives attending an intensive one-week executive education class
at MIT, we found that the more of these charismatic connectors a team had, the more successful it
was.”
(Pentland, Alex “Sandy” (April 2012). The New Science of Building Great Teams. Harvard
Business Review, Vol. 90 Issue 4, p. 70.)
Readers’ Comments: Qualities of a Great Leader
We also asked readers what we might have missed in our list of qualities, and they shared their thoughts
on strong leaders and leadership traits. Communication skills ranked high in comments, as did character
qualities and the ability to create connections and inspire.
Communication
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Good listener
They are open to new ideas and take the time to listen.
The ability to not just listen but hear.
The ability to listen to the needs of the people and to respond
excellent listening skills; fair
I picked communication. That's key. I think the other quality is vision. A great leader needs to know
where the organization is going and how everyone fits in; then they need to communicate that to
their employees.
Listener, passionate about their goal
Listening
Good listener
listening skills
They need to have the ability to hire good, trustworthy, competent individuals -and then allow them
to do their jobs. Trust, good communication, and then stand back.
Good listener
Good listener; which probably falls under strong communicator. But they not only need to keep
employees advised, but also listen to the employees.
Share ideas
I think good leaders should be willing to listen and consistently inspiring their employees to succeed.
Character
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Courageous. Serves others
supportive
Kindness to all
Fairness, honesty, confidence.
Trustworthy. Receptive.
Integrity, good team player - even the leader MUST be a team player. Employees need to feel their
leader can be trusted.
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Decisiveness and Trustworthiness
Common sense, ability to admit a mistake and learn from it
Plain old Common Sense. And plain old honesty or integrity. Also, ability to listen.
Fair-minded
lead by example
Able to acknowledge when a mistake is made; that he or she is human like the rest of us.
Sincerity
Loyalty, rewarding ,understanding, caring
Fair
Shouldering responsibility
Vision
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You can add a great sense of humor. And the being a visionary.
Innovative
Vision.
Visionary
Innovative
Creativity
Mentor/succession planner
Networking
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High visibility/accessibility among the employees AND the customers.
Good networking skills and contacts.
Work with others
Political Savvyness
Other
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Discernible intelligence
Impartial, Team builder, great communicator, compassionate,
connected to community
Wisdom!
To be a great team leader that can recognize accomplishments of others and lets them use their
talents as needed.
Willingness to step in and fill any position under his or her supervision, if the need arises.
Leaders also need to be able to lose themselves in service to others, be humble, and resourceful.
willing to do what they want others to do
Personable
Assertive/Has imitative
A sense of humor is not a bad thing!
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I think a great leader needs to be inclusive.
Tasking risks
analysis
All of above are great except maybe driven. Good leaders pave the way for others, remove barriers
and support their co-workers.
Decision Making, Consensus Building, Taking a Stand
The ability to arbitrate, to get consensus
The ability to take criticism (constructive)