Do you have the leadership qualities it takes to lead your business to the next level?
Entrepreneurs today face challenges that test even the most seasoned executives: relentless technological disruption, shifting workforce dynamics, economic volatility, and customers who demand purpose alongside profit. To thrive, leadership now requires clarity, adaptability, and authenticity.
From retired generals to ex-presidents, from celebrity CEOs to business school professors, just about everyone has taken a crack at defining what makes a great leader. The short answer? There’s no single model, but there are recognizable traits shared by those who consistently get results and inspire others.
In Jack: Straight from the Gut, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch—who transformed GE into one of the world’s most successful corporations through aggressive leadership and innovation—broke leadership down into a simple “4 E Model”:
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- Energy: Great leaders bring relentless drive to the table. They move fast and don’t burn out.
- Energizers: They rally others around a vision. They motivate, engage, empower and give credit where it’s due.
- Edge: Welch’s shorthand for making tough calls. Leaders aren’t afraid to decide, even under pressure.
- Execute: Ideas are useless without results. Leaders make things happen.
But leadership doesn’t stop there.
Antony Bell, author of Great Leadership: What It Is and What It Takes in a Complex World, lists 10 character-driven leadership traits that go beyond metrics and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). They’re personal. Internal. And essential:
- A clear worldview and strong sense of purpose.
- Self-awareness—knowing your strengths and limitations.
- A firm moral compass guided by integrity, fairness and respect.
- Humility—the quiet confidence that comes from serving others.
- A thirst for growth—not for ego, but for constant learning.
- Self-discipline—leaders lead themselves first.
- Focus—clarity of direction, without being easily distracted.
- A genuine concern for others, not just for performance.
- Courage, especially when the risks are real.
- Communication skills—leaders speak in a way that paints a picture and moves people to act.
Executive coach Marjorie Brody adds four key traits she’s seen in leaders like Welch, legendary automotive executive Lee Iacocca, and influential media executive and talk show host Oprah Winfrey:
- They admit mistakes—and move forward.
- They stay close to the front lines—visible, active, engaged.
- They celebrate wins—not to feed egos but to build momentum.
- They prioritize trust—not through slogans, but through action, consistency and approachability.
These ideas aren’t new, but they’re foundational. What has changed significantly is the environment leaders operate in.
With digital transformation accelerating, generational shifts reshaping workplaces, effective leadership demands even more nuanced approaches.
Canada’s own entrepreneurial success stories, such as Shopify’s Tobias Lütke, who revolutionized e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship, or Clearco’s Michele Romanow, known for innovating alternative financing solutions for Canadian startups, embody these modern leadership qualities.
Here’s what today’s top performers add to their toolkit:
- Emotional intelligence (EQ): Soft skills aren’t soft anymore. Reading people, empathizing, and responding with emotional maturity are game-changers—especially in hybrid or remote workplaces.
- Adaptability: Disruption is the new normal. Leaders must pivot quickly, reassess continuously, and not become paralyzed by uncertainty.
- Inclusivity and psychological safety: Successful teams are diverse. Leaders must create environments where everyone feels heard, safe, and empowered to contribute.
- Digital literacy: No one expects the CEO to code, but leaders must clearly understand how artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven strategies shape the business landscape.
- Purpose-driven mindset: Leaders today are judged not only on profits but on their broader impact. The best attract top talent and loyal customers because they stand for something bigger than quarterly earnings.
So, where do you stand?
Do you recognize yourself in some—or many—of these traits? If so, build on them. If not, it’s never too late to evolve. Leadership isn’t static, and the best leaders never stop developing.
| Business Desk
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