True Leadership Traits

Gallup recently conducted research across 52 countries, identifying the four highest needs that followers have of their leaders—or, in other words, the four traits leaders should prioritize and develop. These are 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲, 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

We all recognize the profound influence leaders have on their team members, peers, and even themselves. According to Gallup, “𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝙛𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝙨𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚.”

As both a certified Global Gallup Strengths Coach and a certified Organization and Relationship Systems Coach through CRR Global, this resonates deeply with how I work with my clients—many of whom are executive or senior leaders and corporate teams.

🔔𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: We are our own mirrors in every aspect of life. As a coach, I help clients see that mirror.

I love integrating Gallup’s StrengthsFinder tools with Systems Coaching. Together, they reinforce the idea that focusing on strengths is far more effective than dwelling on weaknesses, while also recognizing that every individual plays an essential role in the system. Even within hierarchical structures, the connection between individuals and the impact of each member is immeasurable.

From a systems perspective, every individual is a voice of their system. These voices—expressed through energy, thoughts, and actions—shape what we call the system’s 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺: the unique relationship that forms between people. Think about John, Paul, George, and Ringo—𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴 is their Third Entity. It is its own living and evolving entity. There is a constant adaptation and flow in how we interact with each other. Sitting in that flow can allow us to feel inspired, hopeful, safe, and grounded. Becoming aware of the Third Entity of any system or team is essential to its growth, understanding, and appreciation. And it takes work. 

𝗔 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀):

How are you fostering hope, trust, compassion, and stability within your teams and communities?

And for those who don’t hold a formal leadership title—remember, we are all leaders in our own right. We each influence the systems we belong to.

So, ask yourself:

🔹 What can be enhanced?

🔹 What, if anything, contradicts these four essential needs?

Leaders, teams, and individuals—want to explore this and your Third Entities further? Let’s chat!