Good leadership builds empowerment and alignment for individuals within a community.

The following are qualities drawn from a Burning Man document on the values that help us to do our best work and be good leaders. The sense of empowerment reflected in our communities is a gauge of the successful integration of these qualities, which are based on universal values. 

Burning Man takes place every year in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. This, in itself, is a challenge with its heavy dust storms, crowds of people from everywhere, and the need to face the unexpected. Good leadership is important here, but these principals can be applied anywhere.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

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1. INSPIRING

A good leader inspires others.

2. COLLABORATIVE

A good leader collaborates with all key stakeholders on all issues.

3. ACTIVE LISTENER AND COMMUNICATOR

A good leader actively listens to the ideas of others and communicates timely and important information.

4. ACCOUNTABLE

A good leader is accountable, reliable, and follows through on commitments.

5.  SELF-AWARE

A good leader is self-aware of their abilities and that of others in the fields of development and communication.

6.  PATIENT

A good leader is patient with themselves and others.

7.  APPRECIATIVE

A good leader shows appreciation to everyone who has contributed to a particular project or idea.

8.  ACTS WITH INTEGRITY

A good leader has personal integrity and is honest, ethical, and professional.

9.  EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT

A good leader is in touch with their emotions, strengths, weaknesses, drives, values and goals, and recognizes their impact on others.

10. COMFORTABLE IN GRAY AREAS

A good leader has the ability to navigate issues that do not have clear-cut solutions by using intuition, collaboration, and mindfulness.

11. ENVISIONS GREATEST BENEFITS vs. IMMEDIATE GOALS

A good leader is focused on the maximum benefits for the community, as opposed to personal or short-term gains.

12. PERCEIVES THE BIG PICTURE

A good leader is focused on seeing the largest possible perspective on any particular project and communicates this vision to others on the team.

13. LEADS BY EXAMPLE

A good leader is someone who leads by example and is not afraid to be uncomfortable in the process.

14. LEAVES EGO BEHIND

A good leader is there for the greater good and not for personal gain.

15. SEES AND EMBRACES THE LARGER CONTEXT

A good leader is one who embodies and promotes good values in all contexts within and outside the community. 

16. OPEN TO NEW IDEAS

A good leader is always open to new ideas and suggestions.

17. CURIOUS

A good leader suspends assumptions and judgments and brings inquiry and curiosity into everything they do.

18. VALUES fun

A good leader knows how to make work fun, rewarding, and inclusive for everyone involved.

*This is a living document created by the Burning Man Organization as its seeks and cultivates good leadership and a sense of empowerment among its teams.