What makes a truly exceptional leader? While we often think of bold decision-making and charisma, there’s more to it, especially when it comes to the qualities that make women stand out as leaders.
According to psychology, certain traits go beyond traditional stereotypes, revealing qualities that allow women to inspire, connect, and lead with impact.
Whether in the workplace or beyond, these signs point to someone who not only has the skills but also the emotional intelligence and resilience to guide others effectively.
Here are eight powerful signs that a woman has the makings of an excellent leader, backed by insights from psychology.
1) Emotional intelligence
Emotions aren’t just about feeling happy, sad, or angry. They’re a complex spectrum that requires a deep understanding, especially when you’re in a leadership position.
For a woman to be an excellent leader, she needs to have high emotional intelligence. This means she’s capable of recognizing, understanding, and managing not only her own emotions but also those of her team.
This ability allows her to navigate the turbulent waters of the workplace with ease. She can identify stress points, mediate conflicts, and foster a positive environment. It’s pretty much like having a secret weapon.
Emotional intelligence is more than just being “in touch” with emotions. It’s about leveraging them for the greater good of the team.
2) Resilience
Resilience is another quality that makes a woman a great leader. Life throws curveballs at us all the time, and it’s how we respond to these curveballs that really defines us.
I remember when I was leading a project at my previous job. Everything was going smoothly until one day, a key team member decided to leave the company. This could have easily derailed the whole project and put us months behind schedule.
But instead of panicking or giving up, I found strength in my resilience. I quickly restructured the team, reassigned tasks, and worked overtime to ensure that we stayed on track.
Even when things got tough, I kept a positive attitude and motivated my team to do the same. Because of this, we managed to deliver the project on time, despite the major setback.
This personal experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from a difficult situation. It’s about pushing through with determination, even when things seem impossible.
When you see a woman who can face adversity head-on and come out stronger on the other side, you’re looking at a potential leader.
3) Adaptability
In a world that’s always changing, a good leader needs to be adaptable. This means being able to adjust strategies and plans on the go, without losing sight of the overall goal.
As Charles Darwin once said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.”
This holds true in leadership as well. A leader who can’t adapt will find her team stuck in a rut, unable to progress and thrive.
On the other hand, a leader who embraces change and uses it to her advantage will keep her team on their toes, always ready for whatever comes next.
4) Decisiveness
Obviously, making decisions is a huge part of leadership. And not just any decision – we’re talking about tough, high-stakes decisions that could potentially change the course of the team or the company.
It’s easy to make a decision when the outcome is obvious. But a true leader shines when the outcome is uncertain and the pressure is on.
A woman who can weigh the pros and cons, take into account the input of her team, and then make a firm decision, all while under pressure, is demonstrating excellent leadership qualities.
As speaker and executive coach Q Hamirani writes in Forbes Magazine, “In any organizational context, leaders who can make timely and effective decisions create an environment where teams can thrive. Decisive leaders set clear expectations, provide direction, and instill a sense of purpose among their team members.”
5) Empowerment
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a leader, at least for me, is the ability to empower others.
A woman who uses her position not to assert dominance, but to uplift those around her, is a true leader in my eyes. I believe that a leader’s success is measured not by her individual achievements, but by the growth and success of her team.
I’ve seen this in action multiple times. When a leader takes the time to nurture and develop her team, providing them with opportunities to learn and grow, it creates a positive and productive work environment.
The team feels valued, and they strive to do their best.
Empowering others isn’t just about making them better at their jobs. It’s about helping them become better individuals. And to me, that’s what true leadership is all about.
6) Humility
Humility isn’t a trait you’d typically associate with leadership. After all, leaders are supposed to be strong, assertive, and confident, right?
But here’s the thing: True leaders know they’re not perfect. They recognize that they don’t have all the answers, and they’re not afraid to admit when they’re wrong.
This trait is so valuable because in the workplace, as Google’s SVP of People Operations Lazlo Bock explains, “No one person will ever have all the answers.”
“And it is not just humility in creating space for others to contribute,” he adds. “It’s ‘intellectual humility’. Without humility, you are unable to learn.”
A woman who is humble enough to acknowledge her mistakes and learn from them is showing a significant sign of being an excellent leader. She understands that every mistake is an opportunity for growth, not just for her but for her entire team.
So don’t mistake humility for weakness. It’s actually a strength, and a critical one at that, in great leadership.
7) Vision
Leadership isn’t just about managing a team. It’s about guiding that team towards a common goal. And for that, a leader needs to have a clear vision.
This means she can see beyond the day-to-day tasks and challenges, who can visualize the bigger picture and where she wants her team to be in the future.
However, that’s not all there is to it. Having a vision isn’t enough. She also needs to be able to communicate that vision effectively to her team, inspiring and motivating them to work towards it.
So when you see a woman with a clear, compelling vision for the future, and the ability to rally her team behind that vision, you’re looking at someone who has the potential to be an exceptional leader.
8) Authenticity
At the heart of all these traits lies authenticity. A woman who is true to herself, who leads with honesty and integrity, is the kind of leader that people respect and want to follow.
Authenticity breeds trust, and trust is crucial in any leadership role. Without it, no amount of intelligence, resilience, or vision will make a difference.
If there’s one thing you should remember about leadership, it’s this: Be authentic. Be you. Because there’s no greater leader than one who is unapologetically herself.
Final thoughts
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room or dominating others.
As former First Lady Rosalynn Carter once said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.”
So if you’ve recognized these signs in a woman around you or even within yourself, embrace it. The world needs more leaders who embody these qualities.
