Everyone’s Asking What Makes a Good Leader, But They’re Asking the Wrong Question
- Dr. Brittany Castonguay
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
By: Brittany Castonguay, PhD April 2026 #leadership
“What makes a good leader?”
It’s one of the most searched leadership questions on the internet. At first glance, it seems like the right place to start.
But after years of working with leaders, teams, and organizations, I’ve learned something important:
It’s not the best question.
The problem with this question is that it is shortsighted. Leading searchers to believe leadership has a ‘one size fits all’ answer. People are not a ‘one size fits all’ category, and we should not treat leadership the same way.
There is no list of traits. A checklist of skills or a formula to calculate that will tell you how to be a better leader.
You can have all the makings of an ideal leader and still fail. A person may be confident, conversational, visionary, and capable of executing the mission.
Someone with those traits can also be toxic, unaware, and out of touch with their organization.
While a leader needs the above traits, they are not guarantors of leadership success.
Those seeking to know the answer to “What makes a good leader” should first look inward and reflect on the following question:
“Who are you when you’re leading?”
Instead of seeking leadership qualities to emulate, the first step is to be introspective. The best leaders are often the ones who don’t ‘check’ the leadership boxes. Instead, they show up authentically as themselves. They are empathetic and accountable for their actions, and they continue to show up authentically as themselves, even when things are difficult, and the easier option is to give in rather than fight their moral obligations.
If you are like the many others in search of being a better leader, start from within.
Who are you when you are alone?
Ask yourselves these reflective questions. Better yet, journal them and share with a mentor or coach.
Do you trust your own decision-making capabilities?
When you feel stressed or pressured, do you like what the voice in your head is saying?
As a leader, do you make decisions with clarity that are proactive and driven or reactive?
Do people seek you out for advice, mentorship, or guidance?
Are you willing to guide others and help them, versus allowing them to struggle when you know the answer?
How you feel about these answers will tell you a lot about yourself and your level of authenticity.
Think about your answers in terms of feelings. When you answered these questions, did you feel more ‘ick’ about your answers and uncomfortable with your thoughts, or did you feel peace and comfort with your reflections?
The more content you are with these questions, the better the likelihood you have to succeed as a leader. Remember, leadership is not about achieving perfection. You are still human and will make mistakes. The goal here is to lead with authenticity and show up as your true self. Not everyone will like your style, and not everyone will agree with your approach. People will appreciate you and respect you for being authentic. Your transparency helps others to know how you perceive them and how you value their efforts.
Authenticity will earn you greater respect and a larger following because people can align with the care and openness you bring to the organization.
Leadership isn’t about being liked or accepted.
Leadership is about doing the right thing, all the time. Authentic leaders have a clearer understanding of this approach because they are not hiding behind a façade of what they believe ‘good leaders’ should be.
When you are ready to begin your authentic leadership journey, schedule your discovery call with us.
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