By: Patty Prosser
The idea of Good to Great leadership has been debated for a while now. And frankly, I think organizations need both, depending on what season they are in and what business they are in.
A good leader effectively manages a team, achieves goals, and maintains order. When an organization needs someone who can inspire, transform, or create a lasting impact, organizations need something more- they need a great leader.
As I see it, here are the key differences:
Vision vs. Inspiration
- Good Leader: Has a clear vision and executes strategies efficiently.
- Great Leader: Inspires others with a compelling vision, making people believe in something bigger than themselves.
Management vs. Empowerment
- Good Leader: Delegates tasks and ensures work gets done.
- Great Leader: Empowers and develops people, helping them grow beyond their limits.
Problem-Solving vs. Innovation
- Good Leader: Fixes problems as they arise.
- Great Leader: Anticipates challenges and innovates to create opportunities.
Communication vs. Connection
- Good Leader: Communicates effectively to ensure clarity.
- Great Leader: Builds deep, meaningful connections that inspire trust and loyalty.
Success vs. Legacy
- Good Leader: Achieves success through hard work and discipline.
- Great Leader: Creates a lasting legacy by shaping cultures and inspiring future leaders.
Great leaders aren’t satisfied just being good – they constantly evolve, refine their skills, and inspire those around them.
Here are some key things good leaders can do to become great:
- Embrace a Growth Mindset
- Great leaders continuously learn and improve.
- They seek feedback and adapt to change.
- Lead with Vision and Purpose
- They have a clear vision and effectively communicate it.
- They inspire others by aligning personal and organizational goals.
- Empower and Develop Others
- They mentor, coach, and uplift their teams.
- They delegate responsibilities and trust their people.
- Master Emotional Intelligence
- They understand and manage their emotions and those of others.
- They handle conflicts with empathy and fairness.
- Lead by Example
- Integrity, accountability, and resilience define them.
- They model the behaviors they want to see in their teams.
- They also have the grace and empathy to meet people where they are.
- Make Decisive and Ethical Decisions
- They gather the right information and make confident choices.
- They uphold ethical standards, even when it’s difficult.
- Communicate Effectively
- They listen actively and speak with clarity.
- They adapt their communication style to different audiences.
- Build Strong Relationships
- They connect with people on a personal and professional level.
- They foster teamwork and create a positive culture.
- They are inclusive and value diverse opinions and ideas.
- Stay Resilient and Adaptable
- They embrace challenges and setbacks as learning opportunities.
- They remain flexible in the face of change.
- Innovate and Take Calculated Risks
- They encourage creativity and innovation.
- They are willing to take bold steps to drive progress.
The Bottom Line
Great leaders don’t just focus on success – they create lasting impact by inspiring others, driving change, and leading with integrity.  Becoming a great leader isn’t about a title – it’s about consistently practicing these habits and inspiring others to grow alongside you.
When you’re ready to go from being a good leader to a great leader, give The Center for Leadership Excellence a call. We can help!   Visit our website at www.cleindy.com to learn more.
Patty Prosser is Co-Founder and Coaching Practice Leader at The Center for Leadership Excellence. For more information, contact Patty at 317-727-6464 or pprosser@cciindy.com.