Which quality is essential for leaders to gain respect and credibility?

Self-awareness is a critical quality for leaders to gain respect and credibility because it involves the ability to recognize one's own strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and the impact of one's behavior on others. Leaders who demonstrate self-awareness tend to be more genuine and relatable, which fosters trust among their team members. By understanding their own leadership style and how it affects those around them, self-aware leaders can make informed decisions, adapt their approach, and engage with their team in a more meaningful way. This level of understanding can create an environment where feedback is welcomed, and constructive conversations can take place, further enhancing a leader's credibility and the respect they receive from others.

In contrast, decisiveness, while important, does not solely ensure respect if it is not accompanied by self-awareness. Delegation is a valuable skill that showcases a leader's ability to empower others, but it can lack depth without self-awareness to guide what and how tasks should be delegated. Lastly, authoritarianism might create a facade of strength, but it typically undermines trust and respect among team members, as it can stifle open communication and collaboration. Therefore, self-awareness lays a solid foundation that enables leaders to build respectful and credible relationships within their teams.