Two Behaviours That Set Great Leaders Apart
We all struggle at times to lead effectively. But nothing strengthens your ability to build high-performing teams more than developing consistent leadership behaviours that earn trust, build resilience, and inspire success. Research shows leadership isn’t defined by position it’s defined by behaviour.
Here are two essential behaviours that make you a standout leader.
- Give and Share Credit – For Both Big and Small Wins
Great leaders recognise that success is a team effort. Sharing credit builds trust, motivation, and engagement.
Studies show that when leaders take undue credit, employees feel resentment and reduce effort; but when leaders celebrate others, they boost morale and performance (Frontiers in Psychology, 2022). Kouzes & Posner’s Leadership Challenge also identifies “Encourage the Heart” showing appreciation and celebrating contributions, as one of five key leadership practices.
What this looks like in action:
> Publicly acknowledge both major and small wins.
> Be specific about what was achieved and by whom.
> Use “we” instead of “I” to reinforce team identity.
> Encourage peer-to-peer recognition.
Even small, timely acknowledgements compound over time to create momentum and a culture of gratitude.
- Rally the Team When Things Go Wrong
True leadership is revealed in moments of setback. How you respond determines whether the team learns and grows or loses confidence.
Research on team resilience defines it as the ability to “bounce back from adverse events and continue performing” (ResearchGate, 2016). Leaders who acknowledge failure without blame and refocus the team on solutions help create psychologically safe, adaptive teams (IMD Business School, 2023).
What this looks like in action:
> Acknowledge the issue openly, don’t deny or downplay it.
> Focus discussions on learning, not blaming.
> Ask, “What can we do next to move forward?”
This mindset fosters trust, ownership, and collective accountability, the hallmarks of high-performing cultures. When you combine these two behaviours, giving credit and leading recovery, you build:
> Psychological safety so people speak up and innovate.
> Team resilience that thrives under pressure.
> Trust and fairness that fuel motivation.
Try this today:
Recognise one small team win publicly, then ask your team, “What’s one thing we can improve this week?” You’ll immediately model both appreciation and forward focus, the essence of great leadership.