What Makes a Leader: A Little Bit of Everything

Rent-A-Center COO Mitch Fadel sums up key qualities of a great leader, from a having a positive attitude to being trustworthy.

Great leaders are, by nature, positive people who envision the betterment of the people and the entity they lead. They encourage the spirit of people they interact with, and maintain a positive, I-know-you-can-do-it approach. Their conversations and actions are energizing, not depleting. They listen well.

They exhibit a tremendous ability to focus.

Great leaders are authentic and approachable. They have high expectations of themselves and of others, while always seeking to improve. Yet, they believe failures are great learning experiences and admit their own knowledge or ability shortcomings. They believe they can learn something from everyone.

Great leaders exhibit a style that is servant in nature; collaborative and empowering, providing purpose, direction and, most of all, motivation. Great leaders focus on people. They realize it’s “who first” and “what second.” They hire for attitude first. They spend the majority of their time managing people and relationships rather than on tasks. They don’t get caught up in the whirlwind.

Instead, they spend the majority of their time on strategically guiding their people and creating an atmosphere where their people solve issues. They give immediate feedback and guidance. Great leaders consider annual performance reviews a formality because they give constant and immediate feedback year-round. Great leaders walk around looking for people doing things right. They realize positive feedback will create more beneficial results than focusing on the negatives. Great leaders do not try to gain efficiencies when it comes to people. Get efficient on tasks, not people. Great leaders don’t ever get interrupted by a coworker; they view these interactions as opportunities to teach, lead and move their agenda forward.

Besides exhibiting these behavioral styles, great leaders must also know their customer. In other words, they must be competent in their field. Great leaders realize it’s their responsibility to become knowledgeable in their line of work. They don’t have to be an expert day one, but they do have to spend adequate time listening to their people and their customers to establish the ability to lead a particular function. Leadership qualities include learning and knowing your business.

Great leaders take responsibility. They lead people, not tasks. They have a strong work ethic, and they never ever ask anyone to do something they would not do themselves. In other words, they establish trust. They stimulate people with stories. They can be liberating and inspiring, yet very firm when they need to be. Abraham Lincoln was a great compassionate leader who also had a commitment to a particular cause that was unwavering.

Great leaders set the example and create the culture in everything they do. Great leaders do the right thing, even when nobody is watching.

Mitch Fadel is President and Chief Operating Officer of Rent-A-Center Inc. He was featured in Issue No. 6 of Forefront.