Dive Brief:
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Five successful human resource leaders discussed the top traits for executive-level talent, and many of the traits revolved around a candidate's willingness to work with a team and an ability to build relationships on trust and vulnerability.
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There is no ‘I’ in team. Ryan Harris, HR Director at Petplan Pet Insurance, says to spot strong candidates who use the word ‘we’ frequently when talking about achievements. Sarah O'Neill, the HR Director at Digital Trends, says that candidates should be capable of motivating and inspiring others.
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Having a strong spirit of perseverance and agility are the traits that make the best leaders, says Angela Nguyen, VP of Human Capital Management at Ad Exchange Group. Courtney Mudd, Director of Human Resources at Influence & Co., says that the value of humility in a candidate can help to build long term respectful relationships that are based on trust.
Dive Insight:
The 5 executive candidate traits that are highlighted by this team of human resource leaders shows clearly that what makes a good leader is changing in a more modern workplace. As younger up-and-coming executives move up the ranks, we will likely see this continue to evolve.
Sabrina McGrail Kelly, VP of People Operations at Techstars, shares that, “vulnerability in leadership is extremely important.” This last trait may seem surprising, but it’s important for executives to demonstrate their humanity in the face of any challenge.
No longer are leaders viewed as untouchable by others in the organization. Instead, leaders are asked to connect with their subordinates and have a strong sense of being human. Their job is to elevate the success of others, not take credit away. They are tasked with taking a bulk share of the responsibility for their efforts. Executives have a lot to live up to, but with the right skills, they can shine.
