Are you really a leader? Ask yourself these 20 questions to find out

Many of these questions get to the heart of whether or not you have integrity, which your employees instinctively want to know too.

Being a leader is not for everyone. It takes a special set of skills and sensibilities to be a successful, strong leader. Are you curious to see if you have what it takes? Take the 20-question quiz below to see if you have the skills and sensibilities that indicate you're a natural-born leader.

1. Do you have strong communication skills?

This is a key attribute of a successful leader. Why? You'll know how to communicate to your team so everyone "buys in" and understands what needs to be done.

2. Are you honest?

More From Inc.com: How to Give the Perfect Handshake, According to Research

Honesty is the best policy. That is especially true when you have to set the example for your team. If your people get one whiff of dishonesty from you, you're on your way towards losing their loyalty already.

3. Do you delegate tasks?

You're only one person and you can't do it all. Good leaders know when to pass the torch and entrust team members with important tasks.

4. Are you confident?

Leaders will usually be the ones who make tough decisions. Making them with confidence encourages your team to trust your judgment and look to you during hard times. It's not always about whether your decision creates the best outcome, but whether you make it with confidence after careful consideration.

5. Do you work hard?

Are you willing to get down in the trenches with your team? A great leader will know the difference between telling the team how to operate and showing them.

6. Are you intuitive?

A good leader has a knack for what will work. If you're intuitive, you may find that you know when to take risks and when to take the safe route. This usually comes from people who have experience as well as common sense.

7. Do you assess yourself?

No one is left untouched by a good leader's evaluation, including the leader. Continual self-improvement is key to being a strong leader. You can't grow and adapt by stubbornly sticking to your ways.

8. Do you foster creativity?

Making room for creativity and being open to new ideas is an integral part of company growth. A good leader will not only be open to those ideas, but will encourage his or her team to think creatively.

9. Do you maintain a positive attitude?

It's important to keep your cool and always have a positive outlook when you're managing a group of people who look to you daily for inspiration and assurance.

RELATED: Inspirational movies for entrepreneurs

​

10. Are you humble?

Having humility, among other things, means having the confidence and awareness to know that you could be wrong. It can also mean that you may not have the answers and are willing to give credit to other people.

11. Do you live out your organization's values?

Living and breathing your company's value sets the example for your entire team. It shows them that you truly care about the company's organization and its growth.

12. Are you empathetic?

Putting yourself in your team members' place, as well as understanding how they feel, is an essential part of being a good leader. You can't disregard their thoughts or emotions and expect to be respected.

More From Inc.com: Marrying the Right Person Makes You More Successful, Backed by Science

13. Do you inspire others?

A good leader will inspire their team in everything they do - from bettering themselves to achieving company-wide goals.

14. Do you communicate uniquely?

An insightful leader will understand that not everyone communicates the way he or she does and that one must tailor how they communicate to different team members.

15. Are you perceptive?

Do you tend to see what others don't? Good leaders look for signs (in people, projects, etc.) that indicate whether or not they'd be a good addition to the company for instance.

16. Do you motivate your team?

If you don't inspire your team to be the best they can be, who will? Being a leader means motivating your team to challenge and better themselves on a daily basis.

17. Are you responsive to your team's needs?

Being approachable when your team needs something is a key to good leadership. If they don't feel like they can come to you with a problem, they won't be able to trust or respect you as a leader.

18. Do you take risks?

Risks are an unavoidable part of leading an organization and a good leader understands when and where to take them.

19. Do you set and achieve goals?

More From Inc.com: 7 Things You Wouldn't Think Make Leaders Great (but They Do)

Do you take charge in setting attainable goals? A good leader will do so and assist his or her team in achieving those goals.

20. Do you build team relationships?

A good leader understands that team members need to have good relationships with each other in order to achieve their goals.

If you answered yes to most of these, then congratulations! You have the skills and sensibilities of a natural-born leader and have what it takes to lead your team on a successful journey.

More from Inc.
The 1 quick question that will make you more productive
Why you limitations make you a better entrepreneur
6 simple steps to get your mojo back after you lost it