If you ask a dozen different people what it is that makes a leader, you’ll get a dozen different responses. There are some people that will tell you that great leaders are born with the inherent qualities necessary for the role. For me personally, however, I have always felt like the best leaders develop their skills over time, taking every opportunity that they get in order to excel. Less innate, more developed. Those individuals who can transform over the course of their careers and embrace the concepts of positivity, inspiration, and empowerment often end up being the leaders that you remember for your entire lives.
Regardless of whether you feel like you’re a natural-born leader or you’ve carefully honed yourself over the course of your career, there is always room for improvement and enhancement. Here are some of the best ways that I can suggest you evaluate and build upon your talents:
1) One of the marks of a great leader is to stay humble and recognize that your subordinates or partners might know a lot more than you do. Never assume that you know everything, because as soon as that attitude crops up, you’re in trouble. The best leaders not only push themselves to become experts in their fields, but they actually learn from their fellow teammates. You’ve hired these people for a reason, so why not tap into their potential wealth of knowledge and pick up new information or skills? Schedule knowledge sharing sessions, encourage constant collaboration, and get involved! Hire people that are smarter than you. You will quickly find that you can learn new things every day and this will help you make better decisions. It will pay dividends for years to come.
2) I am a firm believer in the idea that respect is not given, but earned. Therefore, you must spend time earning the respect of your team, for you cannot expect them to hand it to you for no reason. Lead by example and be willing to get your hands dirty in the trenches, working directly alongside your group. Always be honest and transparent with them, and always stick to your promises! A lot of people have trouble developing trust in the workplace, but if you present yourself as authentic and credible, the path will be a lot smoother.
3) Effective communication and collaboration is key to any team, and that goes doubly so for the leader in charge of said team. You should never be afraid to ask questions or speak openly with your group. Give praise when it is appropriate, provide guidance and support on projects that they are tackling, and above all, be confident. Great leaders have an air of authority about them and aren’t daunted by making tough decisions on the fly. You can’t afford to be afraid to take a little bit of risk here and there, as long as you have the poise and tenacity to bounce back when something goes wrong.
4) Last but certainly not least, challenge and push your staff. Obviously, this doesn’t mean to push them past their limits or cause them to become detached and/or frustrated with their roles. It also does not mean humiliating or belittling them. Rather, keep them from boredom by constantly letting them handle new tasks that are within their capacity to handle. Challenge and encourage are the key imperatives. Whenever they are working on new projects, give constructive feedback as appropriate. As your staff members learn new skills and overcome the challenges you put in their paths, they will grow as team members and gain a sense of accomplishment. Best of all, it shows them that you have confidence in them and see their true value. Empower them to greatness!
What are some tips that you have for better leadership in an organization?
