According to a Gallup study completed in 2022, “10% of the population are natural leaders. Another 20% of people possess enough leadership traits to become great leaders with training and guidance.”
Leadership is a sum of actions, not just a state of being. This raises the question: “What are the actions that set these ‘natural leaders’ apart?”
As I’ve met more people in positions of power, I’ve learned that true leaders, no matter the situation, have a profound, positive impact on those around them. They are the people you will go the extra mile for. They are the ones you rely on when you need support in making a tough decision. They are the individuals who, regardless of their position, stand up and do the right thing for the team.
Here are a few moments where you can demonstrate that you are a natural leader:
When You Make a Mistake
Once, my former team was having a tense discussion. At one point, someone responded in a very harsh and rude manner, and everyone in the room could sense it. The team continued the discussion, and about ten minutes later, the person who made the harsh comment requested to pause the meeting. He wanted to publicly apologize for his remark.
This moment is what separates natural leaders. Leaders don’t always do everything perfectly, but they understand that moving forward requires addressing and correcting a situation, even if it means admitting they were wrong.
When Someone Resigns
When someone resigns, especially if they are on your team, it can feel like a rejection. It is important not to take it personally or use judgmental or dismissive language to pretend that you aren’t hurt. As a natural leader, you should push past your own emotions and focus on what is needed to make the other person feel comfortable.
All it takes is saying, “We are going to miss you; you have been a huge asset to the team; and you will always have a home here if you ever want to come back.” This is a response that person will never forget because you show that you care about them, and the rest of the team, as people and not just resources or cogs in the machine.
When Someone Else is Succeeding
It’s undeniable that it can be difficult to see someone else achieve something you were working towards. Perhaps a colleague received the promotion you were aiming for, or maybe the team decided to go with someone else’s solution over yours.
Natural leaders understand that congratulating someone on their successes doesn’t diminish their own value or potential. By expressing sincere happiness for their colleagues, natural leaders foster a supportive and collaborative environment, creating a cycle of mutual respect and shared success.
When You See a Gap
A friend of mine once told me that her company culture was incredibly unsupportive. She mentioned that when she received a city-wide award, no one congratulated her. She also pointed out that a colleague had recently achieved a significant win for the company, but there was no celebration for that either.
I suggested that she should take the initiative to publicize these achievements herself on the company Slack channel. You need to create the culture you want to be a part of. Natural leaders recognize these gaps and understand that they have the power to fill them, even with small gestures.
Natural leaders distinguish themselves through their actions, demonstrating qualities that go beyond titles or positions.
There are an infinite number of moments where natural leaders can act, but I wanted to highlight just a few. By embodying these actions, natural leaders not only enhance their own effectiveness, but also elevate those around them, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
