Staying out front, today and tomorrow, requires identifying and developing your firm's emerging leaders today not tomorrow. Let's start by identifying some of the characteristics of good leadership. The following traits define good leadership within an empowering organization focused on growth. 

• Vision. Leaders create a vision for the firm, “paints a picture” of the future that inspires and motivates others.

• Focus. Leaders spend their energy in the few critical activities that will really make a difference to clients and to the firm over the long term.

• Values. Leaders embody the personal and professional values that you want to perpetuate in your firm.

• Client Relations. Leaders understand what provides value to clients and they motivate staff to excel in those areas. They inspire confidence and trust in clients and potential clients.

What leadership traits are most important to help your firm achieve its goals? Let us know! We welcome your comments.

This  is an excerpt from PSMJ's Five Must-Have Skills for Future A/E Firm Leaders, a clear and concise overview, direct from PSMJ’s architecture and engineering industry experts, of the ever popular subject of developing emerging leaders. This e-book gives an overview of the skills needed to develop your firm's top-performing employees.