What makes a good leader: the context of the retail industry in South Africa

Abstract

Leaders are vital for organizations and have a significant impact on the success or failure of a business. Although there have been studies investigating the question “what makes a good leader”, few studies have explicitly focused on the retail sector. The study's primary objective is to identify the qualities and characteristics a good leader should possess, in the context of the retail industry in RSA.  A total of 107 respondents were interviewed and the results showed that “charisma” and “inspiration” are the most important characteristics, while “a character for integrity and honesty” and “knowledgeable and experienced” are the most important qualities of a good leader.