The following leadership skills are particularly important when trying to lead change:
Confidence
Confidence is important. A leader needs to be confident enough in the skills, knowledge and abilities and themselves and their people to be able to take responsibility and make decisions in uncertain or complex situations.
Collaborative
Leaders who value collaboration and can work with others across their organisations and beyond to help make change happen. Some changes cannot be achieved by one team, one organisation or one sector alone.
Adaptable
Leaders who feel comfortable with variation when they need it and it is appropriate.
Empowering
Leaders who can harness the energy and knowledge of others to generate ideas and work towards solutions.
Active listening
Leaders who can build strong relationships and listen can make better informed decisions. Leaders who ask questions, not just give answers.
Big picture thinker
Leaders who make decisions based on data and feedback and who can see a bigger picture. This includes leaders who know how to ask their teams for the right information. This helps them build a more complete picture.
Self leadership
Leaders who stay calm and adapt can drive lasting change. People cannot always see the impact of change right away. Stopping a change too soon or starting new ones too often can create a cycle with a lot of effort but less benefit.
Trustworthy
Leaders who build trust with their delivery teams, with their peers, their stakeholders and their partners to create safe work cultures where learning is valued. This encourages teams to try new things and adapt quickly to change.