How to be a Great Leader: The 3 Skills Every Future Leader Needs to be Successful

What Makes a Great Leader?

Have you ever worked with a leader who seemed to have a sixth sense for navigating challenges? Someone who could turn a looming crisis into an opportunity or inspire a team to achieve what seemed impossible?

Maybe it was the manager who brought fresh, exciting ideas to the table or the mentor who asked the right questions at the right time, helping you see solutions you didn’t know existed.

Those leaders didn’t just rely on instinct—they were masters of creative and critical thinking.

Then there is the other side of the story. Have you ever worked under a leader who stuck rigidly to old ways, avoided risks, or couldn’t make tough decisions when the pressure was on?

The difference between these two types of leaders often comes down to one thing: their ability to think creatively and critically.

In today’s world, where change is constant and challenges are increasingly complex, these skills are no longer optional. They’re the foundation for leadership that inspires innovation, builds resilience, and drives organizations forward.

If you want to be a great leader, the kind of leader people remember—the one who lights the way through uncertainty—it’s time to embrace the power of creative and critical thinking and connection.

Let’s explore how these three qualities can unlock your full potential and transform your leadership journey.

Creativity: The Catalyst to Deeper Thinking

When we think about groundbreaking ideas or transformative leaders, creativity often takes center stage. Why? Because creative leadership sparks innovation, drives change, and enhances performance (Constantin & Florea, 2023; Sohmen, 2015).

Imagine this: You're leading a team through a challenge that traditional methods can’t solve. Enter creative problem-solving models like the Thinking Skills Model (Puccio et al., 2006). This systematic framework encourages leaders to:

• Clarify the problem with fresh perspectives,

• Ideate innovative solutions, and

• Develop actionable plans.

Creative leaders not only embrace new ideas but actively cultivate an environment where diverse thinking styles thrive (Harding, 2010). By encouraging collaboration and risk-taking, they create a climate of innovation—one where employees feel empowered to experiment, fail, and ultimately succeed.

Critical Thinking: The Decision-Making Superpower

Creativity gets you to the idea, but critical thinking is what refines and implements it. It’s the tool leaders use to:

• Make sound, evidence-based decisions.

• Resolve conflicts effectively.

• Navigate complex, high-stakes challenges (Knap-Stefaniuk & Ambrozová, 2021; Hester, 2021).

Think of critical thinking as your leadership GPS. It evaluates every route, anticipates potential roadblocks, and selects the best course of action. This skill isn’t just about solving today’s problems; it’s about future-proofing your decisions.

Leaders with sharp critical thinking skills adapt faster to change, enabling their organizations to thrive in uncertain environments.

The Power of Connection: Why These Skills Work Together

Here’s the kicker.

Creativity and critical thinking aren’t opposing forces—they’re complementary.

Creative thinking generates possibilities, while critical thinking evaluates their feasibility.

Together, they form a dynamic duo that allows leaders to innovate with confidence and execute with precision.

Research supports this synergy, emphasizing that these skills can be nurtured through education and practice (Pigza, 2015; Lau, 2011). Whether it’s participating in leadership workshops, adopting structured problem-solving models, or engaging in reflective practice, leaders can actively sharpen their creative and critical thinking muscles.

Building the Leaders of Tomorrow

As we move deeper into the 21st century, the ability to adapt and innovate has never been more crucial. Organizations must invest in leadership development programs that prioritize creative and critical thinking. Here’s how you can take action:

1. Create a culture of creativity: Encourage team brainstorming sessions, celebrate out-of-the-box ideas, and reward calculated risk-taking.

2. Practice critical thinking: Equip leaders with tools to analyze problems deeply, weigh evidence, and make informed decisions.

3. Leverage proven frameworks: Integrate models like the Thinking Skills Model into leadership training to ensure a systematic approach to innovation and change.

   
   

The bottom line? Leaders who master creative and critical thinking aren’t just better equipped to tackle today’s challenges—they’re shaping the future of their organizations.

I'm Katie Trowbridge, and I am the author of this post. I am also the president and CEO of Curiosity 2 Create, which is a nonprofit organization that offers professional development and coaching for educators and administrators.

We use what we call the CREATE Method, which is an ESSA Level 4 Backed method that reduces chronic absenteeism, improves student engagement, and increases student academic performance using our CREATE Method model. Schedule a call here to learn more about how Curioisty 2 Create and the CREATE Method can help you and your school today.