Develop clear, flexible communication skills

Communicating with employees, clients and vendors is the basis of all effective leadership qualities. Adapt your style to coincide with the matter and personalities at hand.

I recommend: Attend programs that improve your leadership qualities and skills including communication techniques, such as a corporate communications seminar like My Word Power. This seminar teaches persuasive speech, emphatic listening and fosters the basic building block of all leadership qualities. Find self-study courses and training programs in communication at MindTools and increase your effective leadership qualities by increasing the clarity and power of your words.

Focus on making decisions quickly and then follow through

A decisive leader or manager instills confidence in his or her employees and clients. People like to work for fast thinkers; it inspires confidence in management.

I recommend: Locate business consultants in your community like Change Management Consulting for courses and advice on how to improve this vital leadership quality. Consult the American Management Association for a variety of information about leadership skills.

Experience empathy for others

One of the underrated and often ignored qualities of leadership, empathy for others involves effective use of and response to non-verbal signals, honest praise for a job well done, and the habit of being fully attentive when employees and others speak.

I recommend: Check out Say Leadership Coaching to read about available coaching sessions about this skill. Explore issues of trust, which relates to empathy in leadership qualities at Learning Center .

Project a great passion for your work and inspire others to share it

Successful leaders inspire others with their passion for getting the job done. They offer positive incentives for team cooperation and set the basis for other leadership qualities. A boss who's liked and respected by his peers and employees accomplishes his goals.

I recommend: 
Explore the writings of motivational coach Stephen Covey , whose book "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People" clearly defined attributes and attitudes behind personal success and leadership skills.   Attend a seminar by goal-setting master Tony Robbins. The advice in his books about personal power and goal setting work on both a personal and business level and can produce the leadership qualities and skills necessary to run a successful company.

Exude an unwavering sense of honesty and integrity in your leadership skills.

When we read stories in the news about successful businesses with happy employees, the leadership skills that typify these companies include the practice of integrity and honesty, two important qualities of leadership.

I recommend: Learn about integrity and honesty as leadership qualities at Proud to Be Your Wing Man, motivational and informative seminars detailing integrity and honesty (among other traits) as effective leadership qualities.                                          

Sharpen leadership qualities and skills on a regular basis

Improve leadership qualities and skills and business knowledge regularly. This includes working on the above-mentioned qualities of leadership and developing your knowledge of your specific industry, whether its finance, technology, medical or manufacturing. Learning and growing skills, including leadership qualities and skills continues, no matter how successful you've been in the past.

I recommend: Contact The Crawford Group to brush up on qualities of leadership. They offer courses in individual development, team building, and other aspects of running and leading a business.