These essential qualities are used by world-class leaders to lead and build empires.

Unforgettable world leaders are those who are firmly imprinted in our minds forever: Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson,  Bill Gates, Gandhi, and Warren Buffett.

They have mastered the art of leadership, built powerful empires, attract unbelievable talent, and have millions of followers watching their every move–all the while inspiring others as bystanders look on in disbelief.

Qualities of Unforgettable World Leaders

What separates these unforgettable world leaders from the rest?

If you delve into the mountains of research available on leadership, from the countless studies conducted to fascinating personal interviews along with the sensational life stories outlined in the autobiographies, there are three qualities that consistently arise of world leaders.

These exemplary qualities have had the greatest impact on one’s ability to effectively lead and to build and maintain thriving empires.

1. Equanimity

Equanimity refers to staying calm, particularly in times of stress. Our emotional energy can change from moment to moment. Rapidly changing from high to low levels of energy creates our emotions.

In life, there are times when you feel exceptionally excited or happy. Likewise, there are times when you feel sad, disappointed, or angry. When we get addicted to either extremity, our emotions drain our energy.

Let me ask you: Have you ever been deliriously delighted about an opportunity only to have it slip from your fingers?

Why does this happen?

Opportunities disappear right before our very eyes when we are not ready for them. The proof is found in your level of emotional maturity, your response to a situation.

According to Dr. Travis Bradberry of TalentSmart, an expert in emotional intelligence, 90 percent of top performers are skilled at remaining calm in times of stress.

When we maintain a state of calm, this is when we are most powerful, inspiring, intuitive, decisive, and perform at our absolute best.

Aim to operate from your state of calm on a consistent basis. Unforgettable world leaders take everything in stride and choose when to engage in high or low levels of emotion.

2. Discipline

Discipline is the ability to follow a set pattern of behavior irrespective of emotions or external circumstances. Ultimately, these behaviors create long-term success.

In a study on best-performing leaders, “Three Leadership Skills That Count,” by Morten T. Hansen, published in Harvard Business Review, one of the skills was “fanatic discipline,” meaning “consistency of action.”

Leaders continue moving forward, whatever the challenges or emotions that arise. They employ success rituals, often starting in the morning with one that sets a positive tone for the day ahead. Other types of rituals may involve productivity, health, wealth, attitude, or spirituality.

The secret is to organize your daily schedule in line with your priorities and goals and to follow that pattern of behavior consistently.

3. Intuition

Intuition is the magic elixir, our inner guide to making decisions in business and life.

Intuition can be referred to as a hunch, sixth sense, or feeling you get about something or someone.

In her book What I Know for Sure, Oprah Winfrey says she has listened to her intuition her entire life. She made mistakes when she didn’t follow her intuition.

Other leaders concur. Donald Trump states, in his book Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life, that people have their greatest successes in life when they listen to their intuition. Richard Branson, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett all say they use their intuition.

Using your intuition is similar to building muscle at the gym: The more you use it, the easier it becomes to trust. There is an abundance of clarity and wisdom to be found using your inner guide.

All too often, people seek others’ advice and ignore their intuition. If you do this on a regular basis, it prevents you from trusting your intuition.

Focus on Mastery

Unforgettable world leaders have mastered these skills to achieve phenomenal success in business and life. Equanimity effectively manages your emotions and helps you primarily operate from a state of calm; discipline requires consistency of action; and intuition involves listening to your heart.

Who knows if one day you could be the next unforgettable world leader?

 

This article was originally published on Inc.com