Leadership Green Flags: 3 Signs of Great Leadership

Over the years, I’ve learned that the best leaders aren’t necessarily the ones with the most authority or the loudest voices. Instead, they’re the ones who foster an environment where people feel safe to contribute, take risks, and be their authentic selves without fear of being judged or dismissed. When psychological safety is present, teams thrive, innovation flourishes, and employees feel a deep sense of belonging.

The best leaders I’ve worked with make it a priority to create an environment where their teams feel safe to speak up, take risks, and share ideas without hesitation. These leaders encourage curiosity, value input from all levels, and treat mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Their leadership fosters resilience, engagement, and high performance, setting the foundation for strong, innovative teams.

Here are three key green flags I’ve seen in great leaders

1. They Listen Without Judgment

Early in my leadership journey, I thought problem-solving meant having all the answers. But I quickly realised that the best leaders don’t just talk—they listen. A team that feels heard is a team that feels valued. People need to know they can share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of being shut down or dismissed.

Actionable tips:

• You give people your full attention. No multitasking and no interruptions.
• You acknowledge concerns, even if you don’t have immediate solutions.
• You create space for different perspectives and let people challenge ideas without fear.

2. They Own Their Mistakes

Nothing destroys trust faster than a leader who refuses to take responsibility. I’ve seen it happen—when things go wrong, blame gets passed around, and people retreat into silence. But the strongest leaders I’ve worked with do the opposite. They own their mistakes, admit when they’re wrong, and model what accountability looks like.

Actionable tips:

• You say, “That’s on me,” instead of making excuses.
• You openly discuss what went wrong and how to improve next time.
• You create a culture where mistakes are learning opportunities, not career-ending moments.

3. They Make People Feel Safe to Be Themselves

One of the best teams I ever led was one where people felt completely comfortable showing up as they were. They cracked jokes, shared their struggles, and knew they wouldn’t be judged for having a bad day. That’s the kind of environment that fuels creativity, collaboration, and loyalty.

Actionable tips:

• You encourage authenticity and celebrate different working styles.
• You check in with your team beyond just work tasks.
• You make it clear that respect and inclusivity are non-negotiable.

Conclusion

Leadership is About Trust. At the end of the day, leadership is about being real, being accountable, and making sure the people around you feel seen, heard, and valued. If you can do that, you’re already on the path to being a great leader.

So, here’s my challenge to you

How are you showing up for your team today?

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About Anton

Anton has dedicated his working life to helping leaders to upgrade their mindset, upskill their leadership, and uplift their teams! With a focus on helps leaders to better lead under pressure. Anton is an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, bestselling author and founder of The Guinea Group. Over the past 19 years, Anton has worked with over 175+ global organisations, he has inspired workplace leadership, safety, and cultural change. He’s achieved this by combining his corporate expertise, education (Bachelor of HR and Psychology), and infectious energy levels.

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