The big question: what makes a good leader?

Business Argus has asked the local business community what qualities they think make a good leader and who they would you have as their boss if they could choose anyone...

Emily Samuel, lettings agency manager at Seren Living, Newport

The essential qualities of a good leader are being able to offer guidance, infuse energy and motivate people to give their best. Leadership requires the skills to accept and adapt to the needs of the business, being a good problem solver and keeping a positive approach. I believe a great leader leads by example, setting the standard of behaviour and commitment. Leonardo da Vinci was a concept thinker, universally recognised as a diversely talented individual whose ideas were spectacularly ahead of his time. He was not concerned with glory but completely sure of the value of his abilities.

Ross Porter, managing director, Clearsky Recruitment, Blackwood

In my opinion a good leader needs to be able to inspire, lead by example and have exceptional people skills. Determination, empathy and knowledge are also essential qualities of a good leader. If I could have anyone as my boss, then I guess that I would have to choose the late, great, Bill Shankly. In my opinion, Bill Shankly was a true leader who possessed exemplary motivational skills and he had the ability to inspire at all levels.

Dan Smith, director, M4 Property Consultants, Cwmbran

I undertook a PGC in leadership and management a few ago so I have a keen interest in this area. Leadership and management are not the same. However, it is possible for both functions to be carried out by the same person. Good leaders inspire, motivate, ask questions of themselves and their team. They challenge convention, encourage innovation and develop people around them. They are strategic in their thinking, taking a long term view. There are two great leaders I would love as a boss. The first and perhaps most obvious is Nelson Mandela. A truly inspiration leader who had a profound effect not just on those around him but the whole world. The second is Dave Brailsford, the Principal of Team Sky cycling team. To lead the team to three Tour de France victories in four years is an astonishing achievement. He displays all the attributes of a great leader, inspiring and motivating the whole team, seeking constant improvement through innovation and provides a vision and long terms aims that all involved in the team buy in to. Most importantly he is Welsh. Developing more great leaders in Wales is key to developing our economy and making Wales a better place to live and work.

John Newell, director, Kingston Newell Estate Agents, Newport

You shouldn’t expect your staff to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself. Provide clear explanations about what is required from your staff, invite them to ask questions about things they are unsure of and take the time to get regular feedback to make sure they are happy and confident with the responsibilities they have. I would employ myself as I have always strived to do the best I can in the jobs I have previously had. Who would I have as my boss? I would have to say Warren Gatland as he is a very shrewd operator who has built a very effective team around him who endorse his leadership skills and empower his squad to bring the best out of them. He is also very clever how he controls and protects his staff (players) from the media and has an uncanny ability to put the spotlight on his competitors.

Tristan Lewis, business development manager, Howells Solicitors, Newport

Sir Alex Ferguson was an incredible leader. To be able to consistently deliver titles and win cups both nationally and abroad for the 20 or so years he was in charge at Manchester United while building new teams during the period was exceptional. Some might argue he was a bit of a dictator but he had the respect of nearly all who played and worked for him during his tenure and put systems in place to develop you talent and bring them through to become global stars.

Steve Thompson, partner, Darwin Gray LLP, Newport

Leadership is about the ability to hire the right people and then trusting them to do their jobs. Many people confuse management with leadership. Good leaders communicate well, listen to their team, set out a vision and provide clear direction. They know how to motivate without micromanaging. Leaders who fail to delegate will find themselves unable to lead as they’ll simply drown in detail. The talent for inspiring people and being positive through tough times, as well as good, is obviously also crucial too. I remember being inspired when hearing Baron Bilimoria, chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership, talking on the radio about his approach to leadership. He’s an entrepreneur who had a clear vision for developing a product that was less gassy than lager but not as heavy as ale, so his mission was clear and simple. He has been really successful at hiring talented people, at getting everyone’s buy in, and recognising when the time came for him to step back a bit in order to allow his team’s skills to come to the fore. This blend of self-awareness, ability to inspire and philosophy to never give up really struck a chord with me.

Gerald Davies, executive chairman, Kymin, Newport

Leadership is an art, not a science. It has to be learned. Among the necessary skills is the ability to make decisions; a surprising number of people cannot do this. In fact, in Britain, so many decisions are made for us, by the State, that it is a dying art. But a leader has to make decisions. Some of them will be wrong, that goes with the territory. Following on from that is... learn from your mistakes. One definition of a fool is someone who goes on doing the same thing , time after time, expecting a different result. Thirdly, find good people to work with you, not for you. Trust them to do a good job but let them make mistakes too. Praise your people twice as often as you criticise them, if they are in a position of authority, don’t criticise them in public. Effectively you would be criticising your own ability to choose the right people. An example of a good leader would be Henry Engelhardt CEO of Admiral.

Fiona Weaver, surveyor, Hutchings & Thomas Chartered Surveyors, Newport

To me a good leader is someone who is passionate and motivational about what they are trying to achieve, while listening to and responding to the input of their team in striving to meet this goal. By demonstrating your passion as a leader you will inspire your team and by bringing you team with you, through encompassing their ideas and contributions, success is more likely to be achieved for all involved without being enmeshed in the day to day grind of running the business. If I had to choose a boss to work under I would opt for Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and author of ‘Lean In’. Sheryl has campaigned for years to help others overcome structural bias in the workplace and has broken down barriers in both her role as COO and as an author. Her campaigning to end the stigmatisation and trivialisation of female leadership is to be applauded and I think it would be fantastic to be part of her passion and vision in the workplace.