What makes a great leader according to AI?

I have probably close to a thousand books on business, and maybe hundreds on leadership. Almost always, when I am reading a book, I highlight passages that are meaningful to me. Using Kindle reader and other note taking apps I have about 15000 words noted down about leadership alone. So I asked AI to summarise those words into some actionable insights, and this is what Chat GPT said:

1. Cultivate Integrity and Empathy: Integrity isn’t just about honesty; it’s about being consistent in words and actions, thus building trust. Empathy involves understanding and valuing team members’ feelings and perspectives. For example, a leader acknowledging their mistake in a project decision demonstrates integrity, while taking the time to understand how this decision affects each team member shows empathy.
2. Develop Effective Communication Skills: Effective communication is more than conveying information; it’s about ensuring the message is understood and resonates with the team. For instance, using simple language to explain complex strategies or actively listening and responding to team feedback can significantly improve understanding and engagement.
3. Embrace Adaptability: The best leaders are those who can pivot and adapt to changing circumstances. Imagine a scenario where market trends shift unexpectedly. An adaptable leader quickly reassesses the situation, involves the team in developing a new strategy, and shifts focus to meet the new market demands.
4. Foster a Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning and resilience in the face of challenges is crucial. An example is a leader who promotes in-house training sessions and supports team members in attending relevant workshops or conferences, thus fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
5. Practice Influential Storytelling: Storytelling can powerfully convey visions and values. A leader might share a personal story of a challenge they overcame, illustrating the company’s values of perseverance and innovation, thereby inspiring the team to embody these values in their work.
6. Prioritize Teamwork and Collaboration: Effective leaders understand the strength in diversity and encourage collaborative efforts. This could be exemplified by a leader who forms cross-departmental teams for projects to encourage diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.
7. Balance Guidance and Autonomy: A leader must gauge when to direct and when to step back. For example, with a new employee, a leader might provide more hands-on guidance. In contrast, for an experienced team member, the leader might delegate tasks with freedom, offering support as needed.
8. Lead by Example: Actions often speak louder than words. If punctuality is expected, a leader should always be on time. If innovation is valued, the leader should be seen actively taking risks and encouraging creative thinking.
9. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: This involves being aware of one’s emotions and managing them effectively, as well as being attuned to the emotions of others. For instance, a leader might notice a team member feeling stressed and have a private conversation to offer support or help in managing their workload.
10. Set Clear Goals and Expectations: Clearly defined goals ensure everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives. This might involve a leader setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the team and regularly reviewing these goals to ensure they remain relevant and achievable.

In each of these examples, the leader not only furthers the immediate goals of the team but also builds a stronger, more cohesive, and motivated work environment.