Learn About True Leadership - Leaders Who Inspire and Care About the Well-Being of Others

True leadership is characterized by the ability to look out for the well-being of others, and this involves compassion and concern for their feelings, as well as the happiness and fulfillment of others. There are four cardinal qualities that make up true leadership: integrity, authenticity, responsibility, and caring. In this article, I will describe these cardinal traits and explain how they relate to true leadership.


Conscience: Conscience is a fine line that separates true leadership from followership. When someone can be both sincere and caring, they are not only considerate, but they are also a leader. However, you must have a certain amount of self-discipline to maintain this level of sincerity and care for others.

Authenticity: In leadership, authenticity means being true to your values and principles, and being true to your friends and followers. People want to know that their values and principles are actually being shared by someone who is genuine and cares about them. You can display this authenticity through actions, such as: having a "fine line" with those you trust, communicating clearly with those you are leading, and always being willing to listen to and take suggestions from your followers.

Selflessness: People want to be around someone who is selfless. This trait exemplifies caring and nurturing of the other person and their needs. Those who exhibit selflessness are empathetic with their fellow human beings and genuinely give and share kindness. They share their compassion and good intention with all they do. Thus, people with selflessness experience an enriched and fulfilling spiritual life, as well as greater success in their personal and professional lives.

Concern for the Well-Being of Others: Those who are concerned about the well-being of those they are engaged with or managing, not only themselves, but also others, manifest an expression of caring that is honest, sincere, and respectful. They are able to recognize and resolve situations that will affect the people they care about, and so are more responsive to the needs and desires of others. This type of concern inspires cooperation, communication, and compromise in group or team activities. Those who exhibit this trait also have a positive attitude and are capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with others. They can be nurturing, compassionate, and supportive in an atmosphere that may foster confusion, resentment, or anger.

Conscientiousness: True leadership involves a willingness to think and reason out options. Those who demonstrate true leadership will weigh all of the options that are available to make informed decisions and pursue the best course for the group. Their attitudes are also optimistic in nature, and reflect a commitment to building team spirit and responsibility, rather than a tendency towards hostility, finger pointing, or blaming the other person.

Mannerism: Those who exhibit true leadership tend to communicate in an assertive, clear, and concise manner. They do not use words like "you're wrong," "that's wrong," or "I don't agree with that." They express their opinions in a mature, respectful, and confident manner. Others, in response, feel respected and validated. They share their thoughts without argument or hesitation. Thus, true leadership involves taking responsibility and ensuring that the interests of all are met.


These traits are not unique to any one leader. Instead, these behaviors are indicative of leaders who have achieved high standards of personal integrity, responsibility, and leadership. These leaders have the ability to inspire and motivate individuals while effectively managing conflict. They know how to deal with criticism in a constructive manner and are willing to take the blame when appropriate. When you learn about the traits of true leadership, you too can begin to live and work in an environment of cooperation and success.