10 Characteristics of the Efficient Leader

There is no one thing that makes a leader a great leader. Efficiency as a leader is only one quality that adds to a combination of others. It would also be impossible to find an exhaustive list of the characteristics of an efficient leader. What I want to share here, though, are these ten qualities that in my experience are highly indicated in both effective and efficient leaders. Again, this is not meant to be all-inclusive, and is not ranked in any particular order. Honing in on one or several can help steer where you may choose to go in your personal leadership development journey.

1. Timely

This is all about managing time and activities. A timely leader has is realistic about activities and their duration. They stay on time, and respect the time and schedules of others as well. Time management certainly plays a role, but being timely is about the outcomes of managing one’s time, versus a component thereof. You can expect a timely leader to know what to do, or say, at the time it has the most impact.

2. Prepared

The efficient leader has a plan. They what they need to do, and when they need to do it. This not only keeps them on time (see above), but planning affords them the ability to prioritize and know what is needed for the specific situation they are in. You know they are prepared because they can speak to the task at hand, and may already have recommended solutions ready for discussion.

3. Knowledgeable

Being prepared also requires knowing the facts, context, and factors that are impacting or influencing a situation. Knowledge is a valuable resource to properly inform decision-making. The efficient leader will have multiple sources of information to ensure they can see from all points of view, and have alternative thought processes available as circumstances evolve. The more knowledge, the more options available.

4. Organized

Knowledge is only as valuable as it is available and visible. Anyone can collect a myriad of facts. The efficient leader will have a process for managing knowledge in a way that it can be used when it will have the most value. Not knowing where things are may be the single biggest time waster any leader can face. Having a process for managing your space, your data, and future incoming information is a top priority for the efficient leader.

5. Connected

No one will know everything, nor should they try. Being knowledgeable (see above) also means knowing whom to connect with for which situations or information. Staying connected is multi-directional. Having a set of sources for incoming information is critical from one perspective, and knowing whom to reach out to is equally important to get the right partnerships in place. Beyond those, knowing who is best to turn over projects, situations, or follow-up assignments to also allows a leader to leverage that connectedness to be more efficient themselves.

6. Knows Thy Self

Self-awareness. Every efficient leader knows their strengths, opportunities, and passions better than anything else. They are also honest with themselves to ensure they do not overstretch in any area, especially in places that may be less familiar to them. This combined with the being connected (see above) allows them to ensure they take on what will utilize their skills best, and when to pass something else to someone else who is best suited for the assignment.

7. Recognizes Others

The best way to keep a network of people growing as well as engaged is to recognize their contributions and successes. Above I discussed the importance of knowledge gathering and staying connected to others. If you are not providing praise for the valuable information or support you are receiving from them, those connections will evaporate and create gaps in critical areas. Investing in acknowledgement and recognition is a highly efficient and effective use of any leader’s time.

8. Anticipates barriers

If we all had a crystal ball and could see the future, we would all be better off, and certainly more efficient. The best leaders, while not having a ‘for sure’ view into the future, can begin to anticipate potential outcomes or reactions. Combining all the elements from above begins to paint a picture of ‘what might be’. The efficient leader also asks ‘what if’ frequently to gain perspective on the potential of any set of circumstances. Determining where or when a roadblock may appear can allow for better planning or potential navigation around the challenges ahead.

9. Prioritizes constantly

As the day changes, so do the potential circumstances and needs. Continually assessing and prioritizing is a key feature of an efficient leader. They will always be looking at whether that they are doing right now, or next, will be the most valuable action they or their team can take. They master the balancing act between urgent and important to ensure that the right things are happening at the right time.

10. Routinely evaluates

Similar to prioritization, the efficient leader is also looking for how things are working. Assessing and evaluating inform future outcomes as well as the need for prioritization. They ask, ‘what’s working’ and ‘what’s not working’ regularly to understand where changes are needed, or where success can be leveraged further. Time is a crucial resource, and you never want to find yourself a long way down a wrong path. Regular evaluation through ongoing observation ensures you never find yourself in a dark alley.

These are just some of the ways the best leaders distinguish themselves as efficient leaders. They know the best resources to have engaged, and when and where they can be put to maximum use to benefit everyone.

What characteristics were missed? What things are you doing that make you more efficient?

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