Truly great leaders do more than manage their team. They inspire progress in the group, cultivate a culture based on trust, and encourage excellence. To go from a “good leader” to a truly “great one” requires more than just skills. It also takes a change in mentality. What matters is how you react, think, empower and lead.

Dwayne Rettinger believes that successfully leading teams begins with listening deeply, inspiring trust, and empowering each individual to thrive with a shared sense of purpose and passion.

The core element of the mindset is responsibility, and not only for outcomes but for others as well. They know that their team is at the heart of success. Leaders who are great believe that others have potential. They create space to allow people to stretch and grow.

The combination of humility and confidence is a hallmark trait for great team leaders. Confidence and humility are two traits that define great team leaders. They are more likely to listen than speak. They observe carefully and they prefer leading by examples rather than direct orders.

The ability to be flexible is also a cornerstone. Great leaders embrace change, and they encourage innovation. Leaders see problems as opportunities, and help their team navigate through uncertainties with confidence and solutions.

Communication also gets a boost. The best leaders are not just clear, they also promote open dialogue. Feedback is reciprocal. There is a lot of appreciation. Transparency takes priority. The psychological security created by this creates an environment in which every member of the team feels valued and heard.

Team leaders who are great cultivate a sense of purpose above all else. Team leaders are able to align work with a greater purpose and ensure that every member of the team understands what their contribution is. This focus transforms everyday effort into extraordinary results.

It is important to show up everyday with a positive attitude, empathy and growth in mind. Not having the answers isn’t important. It’s more about creating a team environment in which your members can work together to find solutions. This way, you build not just a team but a leadership tradition that endures.