This exercise demonstrates the complexity of leadership by identifying the various characteristics, traits, and behaviors that are associated with good leadership. List as many of the characteristics, traits, and behaviors that you think are key. Include behaviors (e.g., taking care of followers, assigning task), personality styles and traits (e.g., honesty, warmth), as well as skills and abilities (e.g., organized, good communicator), and even physical characteristics (e.g., tall). It may help to think of leaders you admire and consider the characteristics they possess.

1. Characteristics Essential to Leadership Good leaders must/should…
2. Essentials In your group, review your list and pare it down to 7 to 10 characteristics that you think are essential.
These should be characteristics that make or break leadership.
3. How do you match up?
In your group, discuss the following:
• How many of the characteristics do you personally have?
• Can you ever match up to the list you just developed?
• If you do not, how does that affect your ability to lead?
• Do you know any effective leader who lacks one or more of the characteristics?
• Do you think the characteristics are essential to that person’s effectiveness?

4. Complexity of Leadership Chances are that you have had some trouble agreeing on the list and that more than one of you is finding yourself lacking one or more of the characteristics you listed. While you may be discouraged, consider that leadership is much more complex than a set of characteristics a person has. Having a set of traits does not guarantee leadership. By the same token, while not having certain traits or abilities may make leadership challenging, it will not necessarily prevent a person from being an effective leader. Additionally, as you will learn throughout the book, effective leadership is not just about the leader. Followers and the situation also play a key role.