The overlap between great leaders and great employees

[WORLD] When we talk about great leadership, we often imagine visionaries who drive strategy, inspire teams, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. But a closer look reveals something worth pausing on: many of the traits we celebrate in leaders are equally valuable in employees. This article breaks down the shared qualities of successful leaders and employees—why they matter, how they show up in daily work, and what that overlap reveals about building exceptional teams.

Shared Trait 1: They Fear Less

Fearlessness is not recklessness. It’s the ability to face uncertainty with poise, to embrace feedback, and to step into complexity rather than away from it.

Direct communication: Whether leading a team or contributing to one, great professionals don’t avoid hard truths. They speak candidly, giving and receiving feedback without defensiveness.

Curiosity and listening: Instead of posturing as all-knowing, they ask real questions. This allows them to pivot intelligently and include diverse perspectives.

Resilience and ownership: They stay committed even when the path is murky. Rather than seeking scapegoats, they say, “That was my mistake—and here’s how I’ll fix it.”

Analogy: Think of fearlessness as a compass in a storm. It doesn’t stop the wind, but it keeps everyone on course.

Shared Trait 2: They Connect More

Performance isn’t just about individual skill. It’s also about how people relate, communicate, and build trust.

Regular engagement: Good employees and leaders don’t isolate. They create rhythms of check-ins and stay aware of what’s happening across the organization.

Empathy: They acknowledge personal and professional realities alike. Empathy helps them support others, manage diverse teams, and prevent burnout.

Collective mindset: These professionals focus on the “we,” aligning their personal goals with team-wide success.

Service orientation: From celebrating others’ wins to stepping in during crunch times, they act out of care and commitment.

Example: A manager who pitches in during a team crunch, or a junior employee who helps onboard a new hire, both embody this spirit of connection.

Shared Trait 3: They Play Often

Playfulness at work may sound unserious—but it’s a serious catalyst for innovation, well-being, and productivity.

Experimentation and learning: Great team members treat work like a sandbox. They aren’t afraid to fail, because they see failure as part of the creative process.

Imagination and initiative: They bring a “Why not?” energy, generating ideas and sparking solutions even outside their formal job scope.

Change advocacy: Innovators welcome change and help others navigate it. They’re not just resilient—they’re proactive.

Joy and levity: From spontaneous laughter to playful brainstorming, they remind teams that joy can coexist with pressure.

FAQ and Myth-Busting

Q: Isn’t fearlessness mostly a leadership trait?
A: Not at all. Every employee needs the courage to speak up, challenge the status quo, and own their decisions.

Q: Isn’t it a leader’s job to create connection, not the employee’s?
A: Culture is co-created. Employees who engage, empathize, and contribute build that environment just as much as managers do.

Q: Isn’t “play” at work a distraction?
A: Research shows that psychologically safe, playful environments are more innovative and resilient. Play sparks learning, not laziness.

Q: Do all roles require these traits equally?
A: No, but the underlying mindset—being open, collaborative, and growth-oriented—is universal.

We believe leadership isn’t a title—it’s a behavior. In workplaces where only formal leaders are expected to be visionary, accountable, and collaborative, teams miss out on their full potential. This article underscores a fundamental truth: greatness isn’t a hierarchy. It’s a shared responsibility. Recognizing that employees and leaders thrive on the same core values shifts how we build teams, design roles, and measure success. So the next time you’re handed a leadership guidebook, consider sharing it with your whole team—because the best teams are made of people who fear less, connect more, and play often, no matter their title.