What makes a leader truly great?
It’s a question I’ve thought about often—especially in a world where leadership is sometimes mistaken for authority or status.
Real leadership, though, is something deeper. It’s about influence, trust, and the ability to inspire others toward a shared vision.
Few people break this down as well as Simon Sinek. Best known for his phenomenal book, Start with Why, and his insights on leadership, Sinek has spent years studying what sets great leaders apart.
Today, we’re diving into five key traits that Sinek says define great leadership.
Mastering these can elevate not just your leadership skills, but the impact you have on those around you. Let’s get into it.
01 They prioritize trust
“A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other,” Sinek has said.
I believe this quote perfectly captures the crux of leadership.
I’ve been in workplaces where there was zero trust—everyone operated in silos and held their breath waiting for the next round of finger-pointing. Obviously, that’s not how you cultivate loyalty or inspire people to go the extra mile.
Sinek’s emphasis on trust underscores that leadership is about making sure your team feels safe and supported. This idea is backed by research as well. Research suggests that employees who trust their leaders tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and are more committed.
If you’re running a small business or a team, you’ll see that building trust pays off in loyalty and in productivity. People want to stick around when they feel they matter.
02 They serve others before themselves
I’ve mentioned this before, but when I first started hiring people for my earliest ventures, I was so focused on results that I sometimes forgot that real human beings were helping me reach those goals.
This is where Sinek’s perspective is invaluable: he argues that the best leaders focus on serving others, not on flaunting their authority. He has said, “A weak leader likes to tell us how many people work for them. A great leader is humbled to tell us how many people they work for.”
When I look at the people I admire—whether in business or personal life—they all share this trait of putting others’ needs ahead of their own. They make sure their team has the resources, support, and clarity to do their jobs well.
03 They clarify the ‘why’
“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it,” is one of Simon Sinek’s most well-known lines.
I remember hearing that for the first time and having one of those lightbulb moments. He was right: we connect with purpose, not just with a product or set of tasks.
Leaders who clearly communicate the overarching goal (the ‘why’) are the ones who spark real passion in their teams.
In practical terms, this could mean explaining to your marketing crew that their work isn’t just about boosting website clicks but about spreading an idea that can genuinely help customers. Or telling a warehouse team that their work is ensuring families get their holiday packages on time, making their season a little brighter.
There’s a world of difference between “just do your job” and “here’s why your work really matters.”
Whenever I felt myself or my team losing steam, I circled back to our ‘why.’ It’s incredible how quickly morale picks up again once everyone remembers what’s at stake.
04 They foster open communication
During one of my earlier ventures, I realized I had a major problem: my team members were reluctant to tell me when something wasn’t working. It wasn’t that I was intimidating (at least I hope not). It was more that we didn’t have a culture of truly open communication. We’d have weekly check-ins, but people spoke in platitudes to avoid rocking the boat.
Sinek talks about creating spaces where everyone feels safe to speak up. He’s big on empathy, but more than that, he insists leaders should listen actively and address concerns promptly.
When I finally caught on, I started actively soliciting honest opinions. I’d ask open-ended questions: “What’s not working this week?” “Is there something we could do better as a leadership team?”
Sure, the first few weeks were awkward. But then people began to see they could share real issues without fear.
And guess what? Productivity soared because we tackled problems head-on instead of tiptoeing around them.
05 They develop other leaders
“The greatest contribution of a leader is to make others leaders.” – Simon Sinek
The best leaders don’t just build successful teams; they build future leaders. This is something I’ve come to appreciate more over the years.
Early on, I thought leadership was about making all the right calls myself. But real leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about empowering others to step up, take ownership, and grow into leaders themselves.
Sinek emphasizes that great leaders create an environment where people feel confident enough to lead, make decisions, and take initiative. This isn’t about handing off responsibility and hoping for the best—it’s about coaching, mentoring, and giving people the tools they need to succeed.
I’ve seen this play out firsthand. The most successful teams I’ve worked with had leaders who actively developed their people, whether through mentorship, giving stretch opportunities, or simply encouraging them to take on more responsibility. Over time, those teams became more independent, innovative, and resilient.
If you want to have a lasting impact, don’t just focus on your own leadership—focus on creating more leaders. That’s what truly great leadership looks like.
Wrapping things up
None of these traits require a fancy title or decades of experience. They’re mindsets and behaviors that any of us can adopt if we really care about becoming the kind of leader people want to follow.
Looking back on my own leadership journey, every time I slipped up, it was usually because I neglected one of these principles.
Maybe I didn’t communicate clearly, so the team didn’t know what I actually wanted. Or I forgot to emphasize why our work mattered, and everyone felt like they were just grinding away. The good news? Once I corrected course, morale improved, and projects ran more smoothly.
If you’re looking to grow as a leader, start here. Focus on these five principles, and you won’t just build a stronger team—you’ll create a lasting impact.
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