What does good leadership, real, meaningful leadership, actually look like?

A few months ago, I wrote about toxic leadership in a newsroom.

That piece was easy to write because the experiences were raw and still stung. But when I sat down to write about good leadership, I realised something; the good far outweighed the bad. And yet, somehow, it was harder to write about.

You see, my experience with good leaders felt seamless, as it should be. So I really had to think about what they did. It doesn’t demand attention or order; it simply creates the space for people to work, grow and breathe easy.

I’ve been fortunate to work with leaders who did exactly that.

My first boss, Nick, was one of them. I was barely a year into the industry, covering sport, mostly soccer, and it felt natural, almost effortless.

Not because the work was simple, but because he and the other editors let me be. There was a diary, a structure, and expectations, but no micromanagement. They trusted me to get the work done, and I did.

Then came Joe and the late NTT. Working with them in Randburg was a pleasure, plus there was plenty perks. I remember once taking a very generous two-hour lunch.

Joe was upset, but he didn’t shout or belittle me. He simply pulled me aside and expressed his disappointment. That stern but calm correction was enough. I never did it again. That’s leadership, accountability without humiliation.

In the league office, the work was exciting. Flying all over the country brought a sense of adventure, but the real stability came from AK, a tireless professional. He never barked orders. He simply reminded me what was next.

Clear direction, no drama. Professionalism wrapped in respect.

And then there were Ed, DG, SVH, KC and Mike, some of the most laidback leaders and colleagues I’ve ever worked with. Not laidback in their work ethic; we were in TV, with tight deadlines and high expectations. But the environment they created mattered. We understood our assignments. We communicated constantly.

And yes, we had loud, animated debates about Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, Proteas, Manchester United and Liverpool, sometimes heated, always passionate, all while working in a newsroom covering crime and corruption.

That blend of intensity and camaraderie made the work not only doable, but deeply rewarding.

Across all these workplaces, three qualities stood out, these are the three things the best leaders I worked with had in common:

1. Consistent communication

Everyone knew what needed to be done, and why.

2. Clear direction

Requirements were set, but not weaponised.

3. Common sense

Life happens. Traffic, flu, a rough night out, humans were treated like humans.

But miss a deadline? That was the line. Fair. Consistent. Simple.

Good leadership isn’t loud. It doesn’t cling to authority or create fear. It guides. It listens. It trusts. It corrects without crushing.

Looking back on the leaders who shaped me, the easy ones, the firm ones, the funny ones, the ones who taught through example, I see the style I want to carry forward on my own journey.

Leadership, as I know now, isn’t about control.

It’s about creating an atmosphere where people can do their best work and be human while doing it.