There is a huge hole in every ‘top 10 characteristics of a great leader’ list I have seen.
They all list approximately the same things, by different names, and in different order.
Honesty, integrity, transparency, vulnerability, vision, creativity, dependability, empathy, and so on.
In none of them have I seen the one characteristic that to me just sticks out like a beacon.
Compounding.
Compounding is as Einstein pointed out, ‘The most potent force in the universe‘
Leaders who actually lead, do so not because they demand to be leaders, but because they invest, tiny bits, over a long period. in the individuals around them. Each investment (read interaction) may be small, but it compounds on the last one, and the one before, where they counselled, advised, observed, offered praise, stepped back when praise was offered from elsewhere, and provided cover by taking responsibility when there was a cock up.
Compounding good leadership practices breeds great leaders.
