3 lesser-known traits of intelligent leaders

By “intelligent” leaders, I don’t mean bosses no one wants to work for or the dictators who ruled with an iron fist. They might be leaders but intelligence? 🙅🏻‍♀️ Intelligent leaders not only get results but are also well-liked and respected. They are the ones whom people actually want to follow.

I’ve been diving into some studies on intelligence traits lately. We often fixate on the obvious qualities of a great leader—decisiveness, confidence, and vision. We’re always told to be stronger, faster, and more determined. These are the traits we’re told to chase after, often at any cost. What struck me was that there are subtle qualities of intelligent leaders that no one talks about. Let’s dig into those today. Enjoy the read! ❤️

Here are three lesser-known traits of intelligent leaders. You won’t hear about them often. Yet they make a huge difference in how great leaders lead.

Altruism

We often hear about “survival of the fittest” as if winning at any cost is the key to success. But what if I told you it’s also about the nicest?

Research shows that altruism—helping others without expecting anything in return—is actually linked to greater success.

Darwin might’ve been famous for his theory of evolution, but he also said something equally important:

"Those communities, which included the greatest number of the most sympathetic members, would flourish best."
— Charles Darwin

In the workplace, this means that leaders who show genuine care for their team members aren’t just doing it to be nice—they’re building loyalty, trust, and a stronger, more cohesive team.

Altruistic leaders are the ones who notice when someone’s having a tough day and offer support, or who give credit where it’s due instead of hogging the spotlight.

Think about the colleague who stays late to help you finish a project even when they don’t have to. Or that manager who checks in on their team’s well-being, not just their performance.

Altruism creates a ripple effect—when leaders prioritize their team’s needs, the entire team thrives.

Sublimation

It’s the art of channeling negative emotions—anger, frustration, disappointment—into something productive.

Intelligent people often do this without even realizing it. Instead of letting those emotions consume them or lead to impulsive reactions, they redirect that energy toward something useful. It’s like a mental judo move: you take what could knock you down and flip it into something that pushes you forward.

Imagine you have a heated argument with your spouse. Your first instinct might be to storm off or yell back, but instead, you pause. You grab a sponge and start scrubbing the kitchen counters with the kind of intensity that could make them sparkle like never before. Or maybe you lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement, letting every step burn off the frustration.

By the time you’ve finished scrubbing or running, your mind feels clearer, and you’ve either got a spotless kitchen or a new personal best. It’s a win-win.

Let’s say a colleague throws you under the bus in a meeting, and your initial reaction is to fire back with a snarky comment. But instead, you hold back. You redirect that irritation into a constructive task—maybe diving into a project you’ve been procrastinating on, or drafting a detailed report that proves your point with facts, not emotions.

By the time you're done, you’ve turned a negative interaction into something that adds value. Plus, you’re no longer fuming about the meeting. Instead, you’ve just completed a task you can be proud of.

Sublimation is a powerful tool because it transforms emotional energy that could be destructive into something that benefits you.

The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes. It’s not about suppressing feelings—it’s about channeling them toward something that moves you forward.

Humor

Everyone loves someone who can make them laugh. But humor isn’t just about being the class clown. Studies show that people with a great sense of humor tend to be more intelligent. Why? Humor requires quick thinking, perspective, and emotional intelligence.

Great leaders know how to use humor to diffuse tension, lighten the mood, and bring people together. A good laugh can make even the toughest situations feel more manageable.

e.g., Have you ever been in a meeting that’s going nowhere, tensions rising, and then someone cracks the perfect joke? Suddenly, the tension breaks and everyone’s more relaxed and productive. That’s the power of humor.

It’s not just about being funny—it’s about using humor to connect with others and make tough moments easier to navigate.

Let’s say you and your partner are arguing over something silly. Instead of escalating, one of you makes a lighthearted joke that diffuses the tension. Suddenly, you’re both laughing, and the argument feels less significant. Humor brings perspective. Sometimes, that’s all you need to reset the mood.

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So, next time you’re faced with a challenge, ask yourself: How can I help someone today? How can I turn this frustration into something productive? And where’s the humor in this situation?

The traits of altruism, sublimation, and humor may not be the ones that first come to mind when you think of leadership, but they’re incredibly powerful. They’re the secret sauce that makes good leaders great.