7 attributes that leaders need to master and maintain to be effective and not lose the "luck" that made them successful in the first place.
Here’s the paradox, though. Once they have made it to the top — after they’ve reached high levels of entrepreneurial or corporate success — leaders often become disconnected from the crucial lucky qualities and relationships that helped get them there in the first place. By definition, the top is less of a journey and more of an arrival point. A newfound reputation is difficult to risk.
It turns out that the attributes associated with a lucky attitude and lucky network are the very attributes required for continuous and inspired leadership growth. Yes, you need confidence and conviction in your authority once you’ve reached the top. But you equally need humility and vulnerability if you want to evolve to an even more inspired type and level of leadership. Which is why it’s so important for successful people to keep cultivating the attributes of a lucky attitude and a lucky network.
We’ve identified seven such attributes, and they are among the most difficult ones for leaders to master and maintain. They are: humility, intellectual curiosity, optimism, vulnerability, authenticity, generosity, and openness. Self-awareness around these seven qualities is key to not becoming a disconnected leader with nowhere to go but down. Below they are discussed in more detail.
Brilliant Forge is a Product Strategy & Design consultancy. With more than 18 years of experience in the industry ranging from small startups to large global corporations, I share my best practices and knowledge of how to successfully design products and services for Consumer Markets.