Leadership qualities

Now that we have a broader understanding of leadership, let’s take a closer look at the qualities and skills that leaders display, and why they’re needed. As we go through, keep in mind that just like there are different types of leaders, the leadership skills required will vary with the specific needs of a group or situation. No one leader will have all of these skills or qualities. 

Remember, you have the right to be a leader in your community, just as much as anyone else! Also remember that leadership can look very different for different people. Some people will need support in some of these areas, but that does not mean they can’t be good leaders. Good leaders are always learning. 

In no specific order of importance, let’s go through the list!

Communication

Communication is important for understanding and working with others. We need to be able to communicate our thoughts and intentions and listen well to the thoughts and ideas of others. 

There are many ways to communicate. This can be verbal, non-verbal, visual, written, and more! Some people will need assistance to help them communicate. For example, some leaders might communicate using their voice or using sign language, and other leaders might use communication tools, such as AAC devices. Communication doesn’t need to look or sound a certain way, and we may use a combination of communication approaches every day. 

Fatima is a Deaf woman and has led a meeting to plan a fundraising event. Fatima prefers to communicate via email only and she shared this with the fundraising committee. Everyone was happy to share their ideas and contribute this way. On the day the committee was setting up the fundraising event, one of the committee members used their AAC device to ask questions so that everyone knew their role for the event. Together, they successfully created a fundraising event that included a variety of perspectives and ideas from the group. Fatima demonstrated that discussing her needs allowed her to bring her full self to the role.

Planning

Having a plan means having a clear picture of where you want to go and how you’ll get there. It’s like having directions on a map – it helps keep you focused on your goal. When a leader can describe the bigger picture, they can use it to guide people. Planning can make sure we are working towards shared goals. Sometimes, people need help so that they can plan. 

Mimi’s vision was to get a university degree. With a neurological disability, she knew she needed to identify strategies and make a plan to help her succeed. Mimi remained focused and used her strategies to reach her goal. Mimi showed that having a clear plan leads to success.

Being Honest and Trustworthy

Honesty, trustworthiness and consistency are all admirable qualities in a leader. Effective leaders help to guide people in the right direction. 

For Lisa, being honest and trustworthy has meant making hard decisions. At times it has meant having difficult conversations with friends. While it might make her feel uncomfortable, she knows that being honest and trustworthy means trusting her gut and doing what she knows is right. 

Confidence

Confidence, in both you and your leadership abilities, helps to build trust and morale in a group environment. When a leader shows confidence, others will feel comfortable and trust their leadership. A confident leader models confidence to others. 

Mischa leads with confidence. They know it is important to speak up. They believe the more of us who do speak up, the easier it will be for others. They feel their lived experience of disability has helped them become a more confident and understanding leader. They look for opportunities to notice the strengths in others. This helps others to build their confidence and see themselves as leaders, like Mischa.

Being humble

On the flip side, it’s important to acknowledge that we all have limitations. Being humble is invaluable and teaches others the same. It also helps us to learn from others and value their contributions. Reflecting on your own leadership style and the things that trigger difficult feelings for you allows you to be more understanding of others.

Karin knows she doesn’t need to have all the answers in her role as a leader. She can call on the support and knowledge of the staff and volunteers around her. Humility and allowing others to help is a strength, as it takes a whole team to run an organisation well.

Vulnerability

Like confidence, being vulnerable can be a great strength. It not only helps to build trust and mutual understanding, but also shows that vulnerability is normal and can lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Sarah facilitates a weekly art class at her local library. During one session, she opened up to the group about her struggles with public transport, which often hinders her ability to attend meetings. By sharing the challenges she is experiencing openly, Sarah fostered a supportive environment where others could discuss the obstacles they were facing. Sarah’s vulnerability helped to build trust and mutual understanding, encouraging the group to brainstorm solutions together. Sarah’s openness strengthened the connection in the group and highlighted the importance of shared support in building a resilient community.

Adaptability

Thinking creatively and being open to change helps lead the way even when things get tough. Change can be hard and sometimes it takes time to adapt. Showing your ability to adapt to a variety of situations can be a helpful aspect of leadership.

Mei used her experiences with chronic illness to inform her academic and career choices. Mei adapted her studies and work to accommodate her health needs. She was able to pursue her goals with resilience and by being open to the solutions that best suit her.

Caring

Caring about the perspectives of others is essential when you are a leader. It is about being compassionate and kind in all your communications with others. Building a positive and supportive environment by thinking of the needs of others will help to form strong relationships and boost motivation. Another outcome of a caring leader is that everyone feels safe to contribute their best. 

Malika noticed a new member struggling to connect with others in a community group. She decided to start up a conversation, where they found shared interests. This helped the new member to feel valued and included in the group. As a result, the group member started actively participating and formed connections with others in the group. Malika showed empathy by reaching out to the new member and helping them feel valued and comfortable in the group.

Taking Responsibility

Taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences is an admirable trait in a leader. When you take responsibility, you accept and fix mistakes. This quality can also help teach others how to manage when things don’t turn out how they hoped.

Maria helps in a community garden. She mistakenly ordered the wrong type of garden beds, which were too high for some wheelchair users. Realising the mistake, Maria took full responsibility and apologised to the community, before promptly ordering the correct garden beds. By taking responsibility for the error and taking action to fix it, Maria demonstrated her responsibility to the community. Her approach not only resolved the issue but also strengthened the community’s trust. 

Resilience

Everyone experiences difficult times. Being a leader can sometimes mean facing tough situations and learning from mistakes. Showing strength and patience, while recognising the difficult times, encourages people to keep going and try again. 

Amina knows there will always be harder times and a need for out-of-the-box thinking just to get by in everyday life. Her resilience and determination help her to keep going. She believes in showing that leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Amina knows that she is a powerful speaker and innovator. Disability doesn’t change this and can even strengthen it.

Empowerment and motivation

When you empower and motivate others you are providing them with the courage and support to take on challenges and learn new things. You are encouraging them to be the best version of themselves. 

Isabella regularly presents seminars to share her lived experience, aiming to educate others. Isabella empowers people through her talks. She motivates people in similar situations to embrace their abilities and pursue their dreams with determination.

Resolving conflict

We are all different and experience conflict at one time or another. Finding a solution that benefits everyone can help others learn how to resolve issues of their own. Everyone has different strengths and not all leaders need to be great at everything. If you feel there is an area that is not in your skill set right now, asking others who feel more confident is also a strength.

Jessica is helping to create a new sensory garden. Some members want quiet spaces for relaxation, while others want interactive areas for children. Jessica steps in to mediate the disagreement, considering both perspectives. She organises a meeting for everyone to share their views and suggests a compromise: designing the garden with distinct zones for both relaxation and play. By facilitating open communication and finding a solution that meets everyone’s needs, Jessica shows effective conflict resolving skills, role modelling to others the value of problem-solving and mutual respect.

It’s important to remember that no one is perfect, and no one will be good at everything – and that is okay! There are still a lot of leadership qualities that haven’t been included in this list. Good leadership involves ongoing learning, self-improvement, and the capacity to change.

Did you know that every time you speak up about your experience with disability, you could be acting as a leader, teaching others about disability and supporting the community? Remember, no one else is more qualified to speak about your experience of disability than you. Advocating for yourself is an important part of being a leader!

With all this in mind, you might be thinking, ‘doesn’t this mean anyone can be a leader’? The answer is yes! Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and you encounter them every single day, even if the only person you are spending time with is yourself. It may seem daunting to consider yourself a leader, but it can be very simple. If you are supporting, guiding, or motivating others, then you are leading. 

If you haven’t had the chance to be a leader yet, that is okay too. Many people with disabilities are not given the same opportunities to lead as other people in the community. But remember, you have the right to speak up about your experiences and to be a leader. We hope that this toolkit can assist you to learn the skills that will help you lead in the future.

Each time you lead, you build your experience and provide a much-needed service to the person or people around you. 

Leadership is an important part of human progress, as it allows us to work together to learn, achieve, and develop as both individuals and as a society. You are a part of that!