Dominion Energy's COO
What makes a leader? Over the course of the last few months, PUF's Portrait of a Leader feature has worked to answer that question. More important, to profile and celebrate some exemplary leaders in our industry. This month, Dominion Energy's COO Diane Leopold answered the question herself.
Leadership Traits
There are so many different types of leaders across the industry. Leaders across departments, across a variety of business and technical sectors. What do the best of them have in common? To Leopold, the most important trait in a leader is being genuine. Part of that is knowing yourself, not trying to emulate an ideal or even an idol. She stressed the importance of determining your strengths and weaknesses and playing to your strengths.
But there're two aspects to a leadership role, she says. First, it's important to be genuine, honest, caring, and humble. It's that dedication to not only purpose, but to people. Dedication to all aspects and members of your organization.
Because in the end, you're leading people, and they want and need to know that you care.
Then of course, on the business side, a leader must be strategic and accountable. A good leader is accountable to the actions that the business takes, that your group or team takes. You also need to be accountable to the people you're serving, whether it's your customers, company, or colleagues.