Ignored Habits That Makes an Influential Leader Attractive

I dug into great leaders’ minds to learn this.

When you are looking at the qualities that make a great leader, it is easy to get lost thinking is about what other people are doing for you.

But it’s actually about how you can provide value to other people.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

— John Quincy Adams

Having worked with some great leaders and held leadership positions, I understand that leadership can influence the crowd to believe, act and work with perseverance for the common good.

Being a good leader is not a piece of cake. One must have effective leadership skills that help him achieve higher goals and objectives. But if you are wondering what makes a leader a good influencer, here are some habits they all possess.

They are good at remembering names

“A person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” — Dale Carnegie

Napoleon the Third once boasted that in spite of all his royal duties, he could remember the name of every person he met.

Sounds odd, right? But, when you reference people by name, it automatically gives you credibility, and it increases your opportunity to connect and influence them.

Great leaders make it a habit to write down people’s names. If they’re in a meeting- on zoom or in a conference room, they write down the names of everyone as they express their opinions.

Everyone likes to feel like you know them, and when you address people by their names, you are honoring them.

They understand other people’s emotions

“The best leaders have a high consideration factor. They care about their people.” — Brian Tracy

Good leaders understand the perspectives of others without being cynical.

They are authentic and ask for advice, input, and feedback from others.

They consider other’s needs as priorities — creating an environment of respect, trust, and empowerment.

Their strong social skill helps them build connections and healthy relationships.

They are always ready to listen

“The roots of effective leadership lie in simple things, one of which is listening. Listening to someone demonstrates respect; it shows that you value their ideas and are willing to hear them.” — John Baldoni

Listening is the way you actually connect with people.

When people talk to someone they think takes the time to listen, they feel safe and understood.

Influential leaders listen to people with great attention and sincerity. It helps them understand people and their perspectives.

They have a good sense of humor

“If you want your children to listen, try talking softly to someone else.” — Ann Landers

Humor is influential. Having a good sense of humor can make a leader more attractive to other people.

Many leaders reported that telling a joke or funny story was important to leadership success.

Good leaders want a unified team behind them. And successful leaders can channel humor into team spirit, uniting their followers.

Leaders with humor can build stronger cultures, unleash more creativity, and even negotiate better deals.

They show respect to everyone

“Respect begins with this attitude: I acknowledge that you are a creature of extreme worth.” — Gary Chapman

Leaders depend on their followers respecting them, and one way they achieve this is by being humble.

Humility is one of the essential qualities of good leaders use to earn respect and trust from others.

Classic examples of humble leaders include Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King to mention but a few.

Influential leaders who embrace humility strive for continuous growth and learning.

They understand the importance of valuing and recognizing employees and creating mutual respect and understanding within the organization.

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