What Makes a Great Leader.

If someone asked me what makes a great leader, my answer would be simple: a great leader is someone who brings out the best in other people. Everything else flows from that core idea. Strong leadership is not about authority, hierarchy or knowing more than everyone else. It is about creating an environment where individuals can perform at their highest level. Renowned leadership author Peter Drucker captured this idea perfectly when he said, “The leader of the past was a person who knew how to tell. The leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask”, which reminds us that leadership is less about command and more about enablement. Great leaders provide direction, clarity and guidance, helping their team understand what success looks like and what role they play in achieving it. They ensure people have the tools they need and support them through encouragement, motivation and constructive feedback. As respected leadership expert John Maxwell often notes, people rise to the level of expectation placed upon them and leaders shape those expectations.

Great leaders also lead by example, modelling reliability, punctuality, resilience and calm professionalism. However, they avoid doing work that others can and should do. Delegation is a mark of trust rather than a loss of control. By giving people space to take ownership, leaders help build capability and confidence. They are approachable and friendly, taking the time to understand their team’s strengths, working styles and areas for improvement. They notice when someone is not themselves and take steps to understand the pressures or challenges affecting performance. Influential business researcher Jim Collins calls this “getting the right people in the right seats on the bus”, which starts with knowing your people deeply and placing them where they can thrive.

Bestselling author and leadership theorist Simon Sinek adds a powerful human dimension. He argues that people do not follow leaders because of titles or authority. They follow because they believe in what the leader stands for. His well known “Start With Why” philosophy shows that great leaders inspire others through purpose, clarity and shared belief. Peter Drucker’s concept of Management by Objectives fits closely with this. He believed that people achieve more when they understand clear goals and the outcomes they are working toward, while Sinek highlights that people are motivated by believing in the purpose behind those goals. When leaders define objectives clearly and connect them to a meaningful “why”, individuals feel motivated, accountable and aligned with the organisation’s direction. Together, these ideas show that leadership is not a singular trait. It is a blend of influence, discipline, purpose and genuine care for the people you lead.

Modern leadership voices strengthen this view further. Reed Hastings, co founder of Netflix, champions the idea of “freedom with responsibility”. He gives people autonomy to excel while setting clear expectations that guide performance, which is a perfect example of trusting others to do meaningful work without stepping in unnecessarily. Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi demonstrates the power of genuine human connection and empathy in leadership. She shows that leaders who understand and value their people build loyalty, confidence and stronger results. Workplace culture specialist Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, highlights that teams flourish when leaders create trust, encourage honest communication and address conflict quickly and respectfully. These modern perspectives reinforce that leadership today is as much about empowering people, building relationships and fostering cohesion as it is about strategy or authority.

In an increasingly digital world, leaders must also embrace technology to help their teams achieve their goals. Satya Nadella, the transformative CEO of Microsoft, often says that leaders must promote a “learn it all” mindset rather than a “know it all” one. His approach shows that technology is not just a tool. It is a way of empowering people to work smarter, collaborate more effectively and focus on meaningful outcomes. Leaders who encourage their teams to adopt modern systems, digital platforms and innovative ways of working create environments where productivity increases and individuals feel more capable and supported. Embracing technology is ultimately another form of leadership enablement, which means giving people what they need to perform at their best.

Strong leadership also involves bringing a team together and navigating the inevitable personality differences that arise in any workplace. Rather than avoiding conflict, great leaders help mediate it and ensure communication is open, respectful and focused on solutions. They understand that teams function best when people feel safe, valued and aligned behind shared goals. Leaders also manage performance fairly and confidently, choosing the right approach depending on the person and the nature of the issue. They do not shy away from difficult conversations. They approach them with empathy and a genuine desire to drive improvement. A great leader is dependable and informed. They understand their responsibilities and the organisation’s broader goals. They keep their team updated, track progress toward targets and know when to adjust direction if outcomes are not being achieved.

They are committed to their own development and never assume they know everything, which is what leadership scholars Kouzes and Posner describe as “modelling the way”. They continually look for ways to improve productivity, innovate and make their team more effective. They celebrate success genuinely, recognising both effort and achievement and ensuring people feel appreciated both emotionally and, when possible, financially. Perhaps most importantly, great leaders remain calm under pressure. They do not allow stress or external pressures to spill into their decision making or interactions. Their steadiness inspires trust. A great leader is someone people want to work for, someone they believe in. Their purpose is to lift others, helping their team grow professionally and become the best possible versions of themselves.

For anyone aspiring to develop these qualities, our BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management offers a structured, practical way to build the knowledge and confidence needed to lead effectively. The program explores the key capabilities of leadership, including communication, emotional intelligence, operational planning, performance management and continuous improvement. The content is grounded in real workplace practice. If you are ready to strengthen your leadership approach and bring out the best in those around you, you can learn more or register your interest at https://www.accessrt.edu.au/diploma-of-leadership-and-management