What are the best traits in an authentic leader?

An authentic leader can make his subordinates want to follow them. Leaders can sell a message/idea/plan. Lenders encourage and motivate. Most importantly leaders take responsibility and lead by showing and participating rather than ordering and forcing.

The best traits in an authentic leader are ever evolving. A leader must know that the team they are given does not come with the list of recommended requirements. An authentic leader is a chameleon that knows when to change their style. Being a leader comes down to knowing 3 things:
What the mission is.
Who your people are.
And both concepts are never guaranteed.
Understanding that failure is an option it is just not the preferred outcome. Perfection comes with patience and some team members need the carrot and some need the stick. Finding that balance and striving to make sure you can influence the sway of the environment will always be key traits to being a leader.

Responding to the wellfare of those he lead and, not be a supervise all the time.
Listening to those who want to talk about things that is troubling or just want to talk in general.
Understanding that everyone has a right to their opinions without your criticism.

1. Be the example you want to leave
2. Know your crew (soldiers or civilian or family)
3. Be willing to listen to others and implement necessary changes even if its painful to one's pride
4. Serve without reserve
5. Be willing to take the hard non-glorious tasks
6. Be a visionary
7. Be willing to lead people where they need to go even when they don't want to get there or cannot see how it will work out.
8. Accept mistakes and learn from them, don't try to cover them up.

I learned about leadership when grew up on a ranch, and as a small child, I discovered you do not have power over a large horse. You have to inspire and motivate him. That is exactly what leadership should be.

Integrity

The best traits in an authentic leader are compassion, accountability, and initiative. Compassion is one of the more underrated traits, yet to me is the most important one. You need to respect those under you and have compassion for how you treat and lead those around you, everyone has memories of their favorite leaders and every single one has some level of compassion regardless of how tough or ruthless they may seem. Accountability is extremely important, not just for us as leaders but when we were learning as followers. You need to be accountable for your actions, your gear, and those around you as that is what will separate good leaders and great leaders. Initiative is one thing an authentic leader must have, if all you do is things that are pre-planned with no input or ideas, it makes you a follower despite the position you are in. Initiative doesn’t have to mean straying from what is expected, but rather checking on those around you because they are equally important as you, to assist someone who needs help with something, to suggest ideas to make something that is good even better. Without initiative we would never change, and change is needed to make things better.

I believe that the best traits that an authentic leader can posess would be Faith- in the training they are providing, the belief that the UCMJ is their ethos, one that sees no color or gender only one that sees family that they have to train or maintain readiness to defend their home. One that wouldn't damnd a trainee or subordinate do what they would not do, or have not done. One that has empathy for their subordinates yet none for the enemy. . One that will do the job beside you if it is needed. One that never says "not my job". One that would get all of their subordinates as much education and as many certifications as possible. And one that never thinks they know it all. One who understands and can see warning signs for a decline in their subordinates mental health. One that fills a need within the unit by first attempting to match that need to their subordinates strengths or when they can, their goals. One that would be a fair advocate for their subordinates advancement and placement. One that has a strong moral character and demands all of their subordinates follow suit.

God Fearing, Integrity, Honesty, Value

1. Communication
2. Transparency
3. Compassion