A generous leader embodies all the positive personal traits necessary for effective leadership. It is not necessarily about money but time, availability, and commitment. Great leaders give their time and energy to mentor and coach team members, attend industry and social organizations, and support the organization’s goals. This commitment builds a leader’s brand, feeds on itself, and often results in opportunities to serve in a leadership role within the voluntary effort. 

For a leader to be generous, their efforts must be consistent with their leadership values. Giving time and energy has a value commensurate with that investment. Leaders must be clear about how much they are willing to give. Being a leader requires selflessness and goes beyond time or money. It is about commitment — how the organization and its stakeholders value generosity. 

Leading by example is one of the traits of a good leader, and generosity is one of those areas where it sets the tone for the follower’s bond. Generosity is essential in making connections with people who follow you. 

They are more likely to follow you if they feel you are generous. Helpful leaders also prioritize availability and an open-door policy to support their team members. It is only sometimes about being important enough to make time but more about recognizing that generosity is a requirement of good leadership. 

THE BENEFITS OF GENEROSITY 

A generous leader embodies positive personal characteristics, provides time and energy, and supports the organization’s goals. Generosity is not just a choice but a requirement for good leadership. 

As a professional service firm leader, it is essential to embody generosity. When thinking about organizational leadership, staff members look to their leaders for acknowledgment of their work. Generosity comes from monetary compensation, a pat on the back, or celebrating someone’s achievements in public.