Newstricky| There are many different types of government leaders. Each one has an aligning goal, though, which is to make the world a better, safer place for all. Of course, that goal is much easier said than done, which is why it takes such an extraordinary person to be successful as a government leader.
The roles and duties of each leader differ depending on the job title itself and the state. State governors, mayors, and U.S senators all have different jobs to do, but that doesn’t make any of them less important.
If you want to work your way up to a government leadership role, you’re going to need to put a lot of work in. Part of that includes figuring out whether or not you are the right person for the position. To help you come to that conclusion, here are 19 essential traits of government leaders that you should have if you want to become one.
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They Enjoy Learning
All government leaders have an excellent education – and all carry on learning throughout their entire careers. There are always new things to understand, after all, and the world never stops changing. New laws and practices come into play, and each leader must learn and understand them.
If you want to be a government leader, you should genuinely enjoy learning. Taking an online Master Public Policy and Leadership program is an excellent choice if you’re considering a government role. It will teach you about strategic leadership and diversity, giving you a better chance at becoming a government leader.
They Are Excellent Listeners
You might have the assumption that government officials are all talk. That isn’t the case, though – a big part of their job is to listen. They need to listen to their co-workers, other leaders, and, most of all, to the public. It is the public that they are trying to help and accommodate, after all! When a government leader listens intently, they have a better chance of providing what the public needs.
They Always Show Up Prepared
There are certain jobs where you cannot be careless in any way, and a government leadership role falls neatly under that category. Missing deadlines, showing up late to meetings, and dressing inappropriately is not an option – if you want to make it as a government leader, you must show up prepared every time. This level of organization takes some skills, but it can also be learned over the years.
They Are Great Communicators
If it’s one thing government leaders must be, it’s excellent communicators. It almost goes without saying due to their requirement to give speeches, deliver presentations, and meet with multiple people every day.
Great communication isn’t just about speaking with a loud voice. There are far more important parts to being a good communicator, such as the ability to convey complicated information succinctly. Successful leaders must also be able to win a crowd – they must hold the audience’s attention and come off as intelligent and likable for the speech to be a success.
They Think Critically
Saying ‘yes’ and ‘sure’ to everything is not how successful government leader goes about their day. It might be an easier way of doing things, but it doesn’t inspire change. Instead, they think critically about situations – even decisions they have made themselves. Their goal is to solve problems, after all, not neglect them.
They Care About Diversity
For a government leader to lead fairly, they must genuinely – and deeply – care about diversity. It shouldn’t just be a side thought at the end of the day. Instead, it should be something they heavily focus on. Good leaders will want a wide range of people to represent them and work with them. That way, they can make sure they lead with as much fairness and morality as possible.
They Are Confident
Confidence comes naturally to some. To others, it takes work. Whichever way it is acquired, a government leader is always confident. They have to be – in the face of criticisms and problems, they must face what’s happening with a brave face.
A government leader can’t go about making decisions and telling people what to do if they aren’t confident enough in themselves. Otherwise, how can anyone else have confidence in them?
They Are Approachable
Government leaders shouldn’t be hard-faced individuals who have little to no time for people. Instead, they must be approachable. Otherwise, people will find it hard to come to them with ideas, problems, or solutions!
Being approachable is not just necessary while they are conversing with colleagues – it’s also important when interacting with the public. The more approachable they are, the more people will like them and believe in their leadership.
They Have Goals
Being a government leader without goals is like being a band without the desire to make music. It’s fundamental to the role – government leaders need goals to make a change. Many of those goals will be big, and many small, but the leader must always focus on them and act with them in mind.
They Work Well in Teams
You might think of government leaders as lone wolves, dealing with a pile of papers alone and coming up with solutions by themselves. That’s not the case, though. All government leaders have a trusted team behind them, making it essential for them to be great team players. Even though they are still in charge, they still need to listen and participate in debates and discussions. They will not have gotten where they are without doing so!
They Are Planners
Government leaders plan ahead. They don’t go with the flow, hoping that their next move turns out OK – that would only lead to disaster! Instead, they meticulously plan and follow them accordingly. Even if they have to change a plan along the way, they are still inherently planners.
They Are Kind
A good government leader is not one without any emotions (which might go against what some people believe). For them to make the right decisions for the betterment of the people, they should be genuinely kind and have the interests of others at heart. That kindness will show through in their decisions – particularly the more difficult ones. While it is true that they also have to be tough and determined, that doesn’t negate the necessity for compassion.
They Have Ideas
Government leaders don’t settle for accepting only other people’s ideas – they also have plenty of their own. That doesn’t mean they ignore other people’s good ideas; it just means that they can come up with good ones on their own. A lot of the time, that is how incredible changes happen – because of a great idea born from a leader.
They Are Highly Organized
Government leaders are highly organized. They have their important documents in order, they always show up on time, and they keep track of their meetings and schedule as a whole. That isn’t difficult for them – by the time they acquire the leadership role, it comes naturally. To become a government leader, you can’t worry about a lack of organizational skills.
They Are Emotionally Mature
Emotional maturity is an admirable trait in any adult, but it is downright required of government leaders. Government leaders can’t be led by their emotions – nor can they let other people’s emotions get the better of them. They must respond well to heightened situations and not let problems overwhelm their ability to lead.
They Are Motivated
To thrive as a government leader, you must wake up every day and feel inspired by your role. It’s all about having motivation. With all the meetings, presentations, speeches, and admin involved, feeling motivated by the work is essential! While every government leader has their less-motivated days (just like anyone else), they always let their vision and goals inspire them to do the best they can.
They Handle Criticism Well
Can you imagine a good leader throwing a tantrum because they receive criticism? Almost all careers come with a little bit of criticism, but most don’t come close to the amount that a government leader receives. They receive criticism from all fronts – from their co-workers, opponents, and the public. In those situations, they cannot hide from it or take it to heart. Instead, they must take it in their stride and, when necessary, take it on board.
They Have a Vision
One of the most crucial traits of government leaders is having a clear vision. After all, they are in charge of change, and if they want to deliver that, they must have an idea of where they are going. Otherwise, every decision is a shot in the dark. With a clear vision, they can inspire others to think like them while planning how to make it happen.
Every government leader has their own missions, strategies, and teams behind them. What they all have in common, though, are these 18 traits. Without them, they likely wouldn’t make great leaders in government.
