11 Leadership Traits Worth Reflecting On (With a Free Self-Assessment)

It’s 1 p.m. in Mr. Bourquein’s class, and I’m sitting on my hands, trying to contain the excitement and anticipation that seems to be pouring out of me. I had missed a few questions on our science quiz and felt a little down, but no matter how poorly my day was going, almost any situation could be remedied with recess.

The back door of our classroom faces the playground, and when the recess bell finally rings, more than 100 fifth and sixth graders pour outside. I head straight to the kickball field to meet up with my buddy Nico, the other best kickball player in our school. We were eager to dominate the rest of our class, just as we had been doing all week.

I’m the first to arrive and stand there alone for a few moments before noticing the rest of the group lining up to play wall ball.

Wall ball?

I distinctly remember telling everyone at lunch that we were playing kickball. I head over to find out who led this insurrection and fix it immediately.

“Hey guys. Guyyyyyss. GUYS.”

They finally look over at me.

“I thought I said we were going to play kickball. Come on, we can still get a few innings in.”

They all just stare at me, Nico included. Finally, Nico pulls me aside and says, “Jason, we wanted to play wall ball. Plus, we don’t always have to do what you say.”

I stand there in disbelief. It’s the first time I remember a group of friends not simply following along.

Up until that moment, being the loudest in the group or the first to speak was usually enough to “lead” people toward an outcome that worked well for me. That day, standing on the playground, I learned that leadership requires far more than a loud voice.

In his book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill outlines 11 major leadership traits, which he refers to simply as “important factors of leadership.” As I read through them, more than one stood out as an area I could improve.

If being an effective leader for your organization, family, or peers matters to you, then developing these traits should be a priority. As you read through the list, ask yourself this question:

How often do my decisions and behaviors align with this trait?

The 11 Leadership Traits

Unwavering Courage:

The ability to act with confidence and conviction, grounded in self-knowledge, even in the face of uncertainty or opposition.

Self-Control:

The discipline to manage emotions, impulses, and reactions, especially under pressure or stress.

A Keen Sense of Justice:

A consistent commitment to fairness, integrity, and doing what is right, even when it is inconvenient.

Definiteness of Decision:

The ability to make clear, timely decisions without excessive hesitation or second-guessing.

Definiteness of Plans:

The practice of setting clear goals and following organized, intentional plans to achieve them.

The Habit of Doing More Than Paid For:

A willingness to exceed expectations by contributing extra effort, value, or service without being asked.

A Pleasing Personality:

An approachable, respectful, and professional manner that builds trust and cooperation with others.

Sympathy and Understanding:

The capacity to empathize with others, consider different perspectives, and lead with awareness of human needs.

Mastery of Detail:

A working knowledge of the essential details related to one’s responsibilities, enabling informed decisions and accountability.

Willingness to Assume Full Responsibility:

The readiness to take ownership of outcomes, including mistakes, without shifting blame to others.

Cooperation:

The ability to work effectively with others, foster collaboration, and align individual efforts toward shared goals.

For me, self-control is the trait that stands out most right now. Take a moment to note which trait stood out to you, then commit to doing one small thing this week to improve in that area.

If you’re interested in going deeper, I’ve created a 15 to 20 minute self-reflection assessment based on these 11 traits. You can download the fillable PDF here.

The most effective leader isn’t the one who spends the most time talking. It’s the person who has spent the most time learning about themselves.

Fact

Leadership research consistently shows that self-awareness is one of the strongest predictors of leadership effectiveness.

Action

Track one behavior for five days. At the end of each day, note one moment where you practiced your chosen trait, or one moment where you didn’t.

Question

If the people closest to you were answering this assessment about you, which trait would they score the lowest?

Quote

“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.” - Napoleon Hill