Lead by example: A common saying is “do what I say, not what I do.” I do not agree with this statement because you can tell people to do one thing, but more often than not, they will replicate your behavior. This is especially important to consider when leading, as your actions are on display for a large group of people who look up to you.

Lead to serve others: There are two main forms of leadership — leading to benefit yourself and leading to benefit others. I do not think you can be a good leader without putting the needs of those under your leadership first, making them feel valued. It also helps you to stay humble and work for the greater good.

Honesty: It is important to be honest in all aspects of life, but especially in leadership. If you are not honest with the people you are leading, they will lose trust in you and no longer want to follow you. Being transparent with those under you will also help create stronger relationships and encourage people to accomplish more.

Time management + delegation: One difficult thing about being a leader is having to balance so many responsibilities, especially in the sense of a “work-life” balance. Doing too much at once can lead to sloppy work and high levels of stress. Because of this, it is essential to manage your time wisely and delegate work to other people when needed. Having enough humility to ask for help when necessary is key to successful leadership.

Empathy: A good leader should be understanding of those they are working with and show empathy towards others. Doing this creates a connection with those you are leading and helps you to understand what will motivate them to achieve desired goals.

Lightheartedness: Even though leaders should stand their ground and be seen as authority figures, they should also have fun and create friendships with those they’re leading. It is important to foster a positive environment where people do not feel scared to come and talk to you but rather that you are there to listen and have a good time!