According to Business Know-How, the key traits of a successful manager are ...
... empathy
The ability (and willingness) to empathise with other people is key in motivating them. Thus a good leader must above all be empathetic.
... necessary hard skills
Even if you have excellent soft skills, you must possess also the relevant hard ones. This technical knowledge will help you understand how the team and its individual members function.
... communication skills
Effective communication is key to the functioning of the team as a whole. A good manager is primarily a good speaker and an expert in interpersonal communication, able to inspire and "read" others.
... patience
Not everybody has the same attitude and values as you. A manager must be able to lead people who are different to themselves; therefore, a manager must be tolerant, patient and understanding.
... authority
Even the best and most skilled manager will fail if they do not have the necessary authority. Fortunately, this can be learned; you do not have to be born with it. So if you feel you lack authority, don't worry; just start working on it.
-mm-