Here is a quick way to assess the quality of a leader.
Build a real environment
Many people describe the actions and decisions of their leader as a kind of game. There is an agenda going on in the head of the leader, but the true intent is often hidden from view.
This situation is common in all parts of our society from C-Level executives, to politicians, clergy, academics, lawyers, accountants, law enforcement, and really every corner of society.
Another symptom is that the story changes from day to day without any apparent provocation or believable explanation. People try to guess what the leader really wants, only to be embarrassed or disappointed when they make a wrong assumption. It is a common break room discussion for people to speculate what the leader is trying to accomplish by the latest pronouncement.
The contrast with this pattern when there is an excellent leader at the helm could not be more clear. Great leaders do not play games. They build a culture of trust, where people know the objectives, and all actions are in alignment with those objectives. Workers know what is going on in the mind of the leader and are expected to point out anything that would seem to deviate from the plan.
This condition leads to maximum engagement of everyone because there is no need for second guessing.
Do not assume people know
It is important for any leader to not assume people know the intent. Since all actions are totally rational in the mind of the leaders, it is a simple leap to figure that other people can connect the dots as well. You can tell when people are confused by their body language.
A puzzled look on the face is the easy way to spot the confusion. Great leaders are constantly trying to sniff out any possibility of misinterpretation, so they can take immediate corrective actions.
Poor leaders go ahead blindly, assuming that everyone will figure out why a certain action was taken. Sometimes they are astonished to discover significant confusion and wonder why motivation is so low.
That disconnect becomes the acid test of a good leader on this dimension. If there are rarely or never any need to go back and explain an action or statement, then this leader is communicating well and not playing head games with people. In that environment, trust will grow strong, and it will endure.
Put a high premium on direct information, and always verify that people understand not only what you are advocating but why you think that is the wise path. That verification allows people to challenge anything that seems to be out of the expected so that corrections can be made before damage is done.
Bob Whipple is CEO of Leadergrow Inc., a company dedicated to growing leaders. He speaks and conducts seminars on building trust in organizations.