Leadership Traits of an Effective Community Leader

[InMyOpinion]

We've all been around a successful community leader and a community leader that isn't as successful. So what's traits do effective community leaders generally possess?

When I think of a successful community leader I think of traits that really help drive a community forward. It's not always about being in the spotlight but more about setting an example and setting the tone as well as supporting your team.

Here are a few traits that I believe are key for an effective admin:

1. Communication Skills – Clear and open communication is a must, if your forum members can't understand what your rules or guidelines are how are they supposed to be able to follow them? Whether you’re welcoming new members, setting guidelines, or addressing issues, being able to explain things in a way that’s easy to understand and approachable goes a long way.
2. Patience – Communities take time to grow and develop and I've seen it too many times before where admins don't see the activity that they were hoping for so they just close up shops. But, admins need to be patient with both members and the process itself. Not everything will go smoothly, but staying calm and collected is key when navigating those bumps in the road.
3. Empathy – Being able to understand where members are coming from and being responsive to their needs is essential. If people feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to stick around and contribute. If they feel like their voice is getting ignored or the forum owner doesn't care about their opinions they will go elsewhere where they feel like they are being heard. Nothing is more self-sabotaging then a forum owner who thinks they know everything and think that they are always right.
4. Consistency – As a leader, you’ve got to be consistent with your rules, tone, and presence. It helps build trust and shows members that you’re reliable and fair. As we've mentioned above you need to stay patient and keep on keeping on. If you don't visit your forum regularly and make sure everything is going smoothly then you can't expect any of your staff or members to do the same.
5. Adaptability – Every community is different, and things change quickly! Being able to pivot, try new strategies, or adjust when something’s not working is so important. These things are hit and miss and sometimes we need to re-think or restart certain things. You have to be able to be okay with having to make changes as they come along.
6. Problem-Solving – Whether it’s handling a difficult situation with a member or resolving technical issues, admins need to have solid problem-solving skills. You can’t always predict challenges, but you can work through them! I've seen forum admins who could never make up their mind or who didn't have a back bone and that negatively affected the forum. Being good at problem solving and working under pressure is a necessity for a successful admin.

What about you all? What traits do you think make an admin really effective? I’d love to hear your thoughts!