--- title: Does Your Leadership Have The Necessary Trait To Succeed? description: "LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM WOMEN LEADERS, part 2: Leadership Traits We conducted research with some of the most successful women CEOs & Presidents in business today" image: https://www.leadingnow.biz/hubfs/iStock%20Photos/iStock_000045273596_XXXLarge.jpg --- [![LN-Logo-2021](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/ADMIN%20-%20All%20Brands/LN/LN-Logo-2021.png?width=147&height=80&name=LN-Logo-2021.png "LN-Logo-2021")](https://www.leadingnow.biz/) # Does Your Leadership Have The Necessary Trait To Succeed? 3 min read | [Diane Coffey Chaput](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/diane-coffey-chaput) - Share: - [Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed?utm_medium=social&utm_source=) - [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed?utm_medium=social&utm_source=&title=Does+Your+Leadership+Have+The+Necessary+Trait+To+Succeed%3F) - [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed?utm_medium=social&utm_source=&url=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed?utm_medium=social&utm_source=&source=tweetbutton&text=Does+Your+Leadership+Have+The+Necessary+Trait+To+Succeed%3F) - [Email ](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed?utm_medium=social&utm_source=%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed?utm_medium=social&utm_source=) ![iStock_000045273596_XXXLarge](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock%20Photos/iStock_000045273596_XXXLarge.jpg?width=606&name=iStock_000045273596_XXXLarge.jpg) In part two of our Leadership Lessons from Women research series, we asked some of the most successful women leaders in business today what they felt was the one leadership trait that was most important to their own success. Not surprisingly, they used words that fit squarely into our 21st century definition of leadership. Here are the results:  ![Definition](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/Website_Images/Definition.jpeg?width=606&name=Definition.jpeg) ### **Traits For Success:** - #### 58% used words that describe personal greatness: - Integrity   - Fair Play   - Strong work ethic   - Resiliency   - Transparency   - Perseverance   - Grit   - Courage  - Curiosity   - Confidence   - Creativity - #### 10% used words that describe achieving extraordinary outcomes: - Strategic vision   - Financial skills - #### 32% used words that describe engaging others: - Empowering the organization   - Purpose   - Building a strong team   - Listening  - Partnership skills   - Recognize talent  **![leadershiplessons_traits](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/leadershiplessons_traits.png?width=600&name=leadershiplessons_traits.png) ** > ***“I think the ability to recognize talent and hire the right diverse team has been a key element to having a successful organization.”*** > > ––Tina Dolph, President & CEO, Siemens Government Technologies When we talk about leadership, the challenges women have faced, and the importance of creating a culture of inclusion, our 3-part leadership definition is a proven one. Our own research around the 21st century definition of leadership identifies [9 critical differentiators](https://www.leadingnow.biz/missing_33_2014_research_-1?hsCtaTracking=535d5ab3-7cfd-41e2-b5e1-42394e56f259%7C0612f6d5-c64c-4ce3-bebf-1fc807087bfb) that must be mastered by women and diverse talent to move them into senior and executive positions.   The common denominator of this leadership definition–the cornerstone of our research and the solutions we provide to our clients–was further validated in the results of our recent survey. Some of the most successful women in leadership at Fortune 500/5000 companies emphatically confirmed ‘engaging others’ is among the top traits leaders need to succeed.  Today, when organizations are trying to build truly inclusive cultures (not simply counting heads), it comes down to its leaders using the greatness within to engage the greatness in others to achieve those extraordinary outcomes. Simply put, [leadership + inclusion](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/lta-the-decade-that-will-change-it-all) equals engaging others. This is powerful knowledge.  [![If You’re Looking to Learn More About Engaging Others Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/292089/b3749c33-8108-4854-9d31-1b3153868c22.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/292089/b3749c33-8108-4854-9d31-1b3153868c22) The women leaders we surveyed recognize that building a culture of inclusion that includes varying perspectives, helped get them to the top–and by doing so, attain the business results they needed to be successful.  As an organization, it’s critical that senior leaders are engaging others–including women & diverse talent–and not just those on their leadership team, to breed success. Ask yourself this…are you getting it right?  If you need help fixing your organization’s culture, we have Inclusive Leadership Solutions, backed by research, to drive successful business outcomes. #FutureForward #WeCanHelp  [![Contact Us to Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/292089/3de42158-50f8-460f-a9a5-a42cfe1371d0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/292089/3de42158-50f8-460f-a9a5-a42cfe1371d0) --- ### Leadership Lessons from Women Leaders Part 1: [Research Concludes Mentors Are Key To Women’s Career Success](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/research-concludes-mentors-are-key-to-womens-career-success) Part 2: [Does Your Leadership Have The Necessary Trait To Succeed?](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed) Part 3: [Women Business Leaders Offer Advice On Filling Your Pipeline With Female Talent](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/women-business-leaders-offer-advice-on-filling-your-pipeline-with-female-talent) Part 4:* Coming soon!*  Part 5:* Coming soon!*   [Mentoring](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/mentoring) [Women's Leadership Development](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/womens-leadership-development) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Subscribe #### Interested in seeing the latest insights on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?   Stay up to date by subscribing to our blog. [Subscribe](http://leadingwomen.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7e3e1db45054d8de3a2c5ae49&id=bd74d50aef&submissionGuid=ded46f3f-9886-42d6-b256-424d635d3098) ### Latest Posts ### Posts by Category - [#ConferenceInABox (8)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/conferenceinabox) - [Accountability (2)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/accountability) - [Allies (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/allies) - [Assessments (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/assessments) - [Belonging (2)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/belonging) - [Breakthrough Leadership (10)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/breakthrough-leadership) - [Business Imperative (6)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/business-imperative) - [Career (38)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/career) - [CEO Advice (7)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/ceo-advice) - [Change (9)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/change) - [Closing the Gender Gap (52)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/closing-the-gender-gap) - [Cultural Dynamics (8)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/cultural-dynamics) - [DE&I (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/dei) - [Diversity & Inclusion (26)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/diversity-inclusion) - [Gender Bias (8)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/gender-bias) - [Gender Diversity (5)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/gender-diversity) - [Gender Dynamics (48)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/gender-dynamics) - [In Case You Missed It (8)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/in-case-you-missed-it) - [IWD (8)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/iwd) - [IWiN (7)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/iwin) - [lbgtq+ (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/lbgtq) - [Leadership (53)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/leadership) - [Leading NOW (64)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/leading-now) - [Making the Business Case (8)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/making-the-business-case) - [Managers Mindsets (31)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/managers-mindsets) - [Media Release (30)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/media-release) - [Mentoring (12)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/mentoring) - [Millennials (6)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/millennials) - [Motherhood Penalty (3)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/motherhood-penalty) - [Networking (3)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/networking) - [Psychological Safety (3)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/psychological-safety) - [Reverse Mentoring (2)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/reverse-mentoring) - [STEM (1)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/stem) - [Strategic Relationships (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/strategic-relationships) - [Talent Development (54)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/talent-development) - [TED (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/ted) - [The Missing 33%® (33)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/the-missing-33) - [Tools/Resources (12)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/toolsresources) - [Training (2)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/training) - [Unconscious Bias (5)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/unconscious-bias) - [Virtual Programs (5)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/virtual-programs) - [Women of Color (9)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/women-of-color) - [Women's Leadership Development (22)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/womens-leadership-development) - [Work From Home (1)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/work-from-home) [See all](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed#) ### Posts by Author - [Alison Lazenby (2)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/alison-lazenby) - [Diane Coffey Chaput (52)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/diane-coffey-chaput) - [Erin Defoyd (7)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/erin-defoyd) - [Gretchen Sussman (3)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/gretchen-sussman) - [Guest Blogger (4)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/guest-blogger) - [Kelly Primus (34)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/kelly-primus) - [Michelle Redfern (5)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/michelle-redfern) - [Samantha Furbush Taraskiewicz (46)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/samantha-furbush-taraskiewicz) - [Susan Colantuono (74)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/susan-colantuono) - [Tim Kemp (2)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/tim-kemp) - [Vanessa Phipps (1)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/vanessa-phipps) [See all](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/does-your-leadership-have-the-necessary-trait-to-succeed#) ### Follow Us - [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/leading-now-llc) - [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/LeadingNOWLLC) - [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/LeadingNOWLLC) - [Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/LeadingNOWLLC/) ![WOSB Certification Logo](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hubfs/WOSB%20Certification%20Logo.png "WOSB Certification Logo") [![LW_WebFooter](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/ADMIN%20-%20All%20Brands/LW_WebFooter.png?width=150&name=LW_WebFooter.png)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/leading-women)  [![GDI_WebFooter](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/ADMIN%20-%20All%20Brands/GDI_WebFooter.png?width=150&name=GDI_WebFooter.png)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/gender-dynamics-institute)  [![CDI_WebFooter](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/ADMIN%20-%20All%20Brands/CDI_WebFooter.png?width=175&name=CDI_WebFooter.png)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/center-for-diversity-and-inclusion)  [![LeadFor-FINAL_RGB_2022Jul](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/ADMIN%20-%20All%20Brands/LF/LeadFor-FINAL_RGB_2022Jul.png?width=120&name=LeadFor-FINAL_RGB_2022Jul.png)](https://www.leadingnow.biz/leading-foward)   ©2013-2025 Leading NOW, LLC. | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.leadingnow.biz/privacy-policy)       ![hrtech](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/hrtech.png?width=130&height=124&name=hrtech.png "hrtech")