What makes a good leader?

A couple of months ago I heard Allen Behm, a political and risk analyst from Knowledge Pond talking about leadership. Apart from a bunch of engaging stories about good and bad leaders he has known, the take-home message was that effective leadership requires three practices:

  • maintain your integrity – be a decent human
  • be comfortable in your own skin – recognise your strengths and your limitations
  • welcome dissent – foster a culture of contestability

It’s simple, really. Which is not to say it’s easy.