Let’s face it: leadership can be hard. Sure, being a good communicator and a master planner is essential. But what separates great leaders from the rest? Is it some kind of magical X-factor?

According to Linda Hill, a Harvard Business School professor and leadership expert, the answer is refreshingly human. Great leaders aren’t born with superpowers—they develop their skills through experience, curiosity, and grit. In short, leadership is a process of self-discovery and growth.

Let's discuss 8 qualities that make a successful leader stand out. 

1. Authenticity: Be Your Best Self

People follow leaders they trust, and trust comes from authenticity. To lead effectively, you need to be true to yourself and let others see your values and character.

How to get there:

• Ask for honest feedback. A simple “What should I keep, start, or stop doing?” can open the door to helpful insights.
• Focus on your strengths. Sure, you’ll get some critique, but don’t dwell on it. Double down on what you’re doing well.

2. Curiosity: Embrace the Unknown

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it’s a leader’s best friend. The ability to ask “what if?” and explore new ideas can keep your team moving forward.

How to spark your curiosity:

• Take inspiration from kids—ask lots of questions!
• Step outside your bubble. Chat with folks in other industries, or dig into a topic you’ve never explored.
• Dream big. What’s your team’s moonshot idea?

3. Analytical Thinking: Decode the Data

Making gut decisions might work in a pinch, but real leadership requires analytical muscle. The best leaders uncover patterns, connect the dots, and make decisions informed by evidence.

Ways to flex your analytical brain:

• Dig into the “why” behind the data. Who collected it? What’s the context?
• Work with data-savvy teammates to translate numbers into stories and action plans.
• Remember: you don’t need to be data-driven—just data-informed.

4. Adaptability: Roll With the Punches

The world is changing fast, and leaders who can’t pivot are left behind. Adaptability is about staying flexible and finding opportunities in chaos.

How to build your adaptability:

• Take on projects that push you out of your comfort zone.
• Work with different teams to experience new perspectives.
• Treat challenges as experiments—each misstep is just data for your next move.

5. Creativity: Think Outside the Box

Being creative isn’t just for artists. Great leaders inspire innovative solutions by fostering diverse perspectives and welcoming unconventional ideas.

How to unlock creativity:

• Bring together people with different backgrounds and viewpoints.
• Create a safe space for brainstorming—yes, even the wild ideas.
• See failure as a stepping stone, not a dead end.

6. Comfort With Ambiguity: Navigate the Fog

If you love clear instructions and predictable outcomes, this one might be a challenge. Leadership often means making decisions with incomplete information—and that’s okay.

How to embrace uncertainty:

• Practice systems thinking. Instead of focusing on A → B, look at the whole web of connections.
• Clear your head with mindfulness, yoga, or journaling. Sometimes reflection leads to clarity.
• Ask big, open-ended questions: “What if we’re wrong?” “What else could be true?”

7. Resilience: Bounce Back Stronger

Resilience is like a muscle: you strengthen it by pushing through tough situations. Leaders need the stamina to regroup, recalibrate, and rally their teams when things get tough.

Ways to build resilience:

• Volunteer for challenging roles that lack clear success metrics.
• Seek feedback and adjust when things go off course.
• Remember: resilience isn’t about being unshakeable—it’s about bouncing back.

8. Empathy: Lead With Heart

Leadership isn’t just about strategy and execution; it’s about people. Empathy helps you build trust, understand your team’s challenges, and create a supportive environment.

How to lead with empathy:

• Talk to people outside your usual circle to expand your perspective.
• Ask about your team’s work styles, pressures, and goals.
• If someone seems unreasonable, dig deeper—what matters most to them might surprise you.

The Takeaway

Great leadership isn’t an exclusive club for those with superhuman charisma or sky-high IQs. It’s a journey of learning, growing, and stretching yourself in new ways. So, start small: ask for feedback, try something new, and lean into uncertainty. You might just surprise yourself—and inspire others along the way.