Whether you are currently a leader or plan to work your way into leadership, everyone can develop leadership skills. While some people have natural leadership skills, others may not have natural skills, but all can have their skills trained or enhanced. Here are eight useful tips for becoming an effective leader.
Lead by Example
The only time you see leadership that is “do as I say and not as I do” is when you are looking at dictatorships or those engaging in totalitarianism. In all other cases where leadership is successful and effective, there is leading by example. A good leader doesn’t just sit from on high delegating work. They are constantly finding ways to increase productivity and employee satisfaction overall. You will find great leaders leading by example, in every successful business where the employees are productive and happy.
Even if a leader has to ask their employees to do something difficult or strenuous, it will put the employees at ease and make them more eager to accomplish the tasks if they are leading by example. Every great leader is an example of integrity, productivity, respect, and an understanding of their employees.
Be Goal-Oriented
Whether a leader or not, every successful person is goal-oriented; setting goals for themselves is the number one priority because this will lead to setting goals for their employees. Organization and planning require goalsetting. Having goals clarifies what every objective is for the business, for each employee, and productivity.
Setting goals also helps both leaders and employees plan for possible challenges. When you set your goals, it is with the idea that you will make a plan to reach those goals. During the planning process is when possible, issues can be discussed. Of course, you can’t plan for every issue that may arise, but everyone being aware of the goals will lead to success.
Take Responsibility
Being a good leader means taking responsibility even when it’s one of your employees who made a mistake. While you will still need to address the issue with the individual or the team that made a mistake or took incorrect actions, as the leader, you always have to take leadership responsibility for those you lead. If you intend to improve your team, if you are throwing them under the bus when something goes wrong, they will never trust you, and your team will never thrive. It is important that a leader takes responsibility upfront and deals with the issues behind the scenes.
Share the Recognition
When it comes to accomplishments as a team, some leaders find it appropriate to take all of the credit. However, a good and effective leader will always share the recognition. A good leader will give each member of the team the acknowledgment they deserve when there is an opportunity to do so. By sharing the recognition, your team will give you respect and admire you as a leader. This respect and admiration are important because a team that feels valued will be more productive, happier, and more present.
Developing Your Team
Developing an effective and productive team should be the number one goal of any leader. This is done first by building a top-notch team at the time of hiring. When in the interview process, you should not only be asking questions regarding experience, but you should also be probing them for work ethic and their personality as it would fit into your team. Some employees may have every skill necessary to do a great job, but they will still be ineffective if they do not fit into the team.
Once you have your team in place, you must have ongoing training and coaching and counseling as necessary. You always want to be moving your team towards the highest level of productivity and employee satisfaction. An effective leader will always be looking for ways to improve themselves and their team.
Be a Great Communicator
Communication is perhaps the most important trait we have as human beings. It is important in every relationship we have, whether it be family, friends, spouses, or coworkers. Communication is especially important for leaders. If you have poor communication with your team, they will fail time and time again. However, if you are an effective communicator, you can push your team to the highest heights. If this is an area that you are not strong in, there are multitudes of books and training sources on how to be a better communicator as a leader. This needs to be a top focus when you are developing yourself to be an effective leader.
Be Assertive
Being a good leader does not mean you have to be bossy or a tyrant. Some do not distinguish the difference between aggressive and assertive. Someone aggressive is confrontational and direct in an inappropriate way. Someone assertive is putting forth a level of power that still allows the recipient of what they’re bringing forward to be a part of it. If employees are intimidated, they will not perform well and, in some cases, may quit. Being assertive means that you are positively getting your point across with confidence and self-assuredness.
Be Confident
Confidence is very similar to assertiveness. The difference between the two is that assertiveness is whenever you try to get things done and put that forward. Confidence is your overall attitude and the way you carry yourself at every moment. People do not want to be led by someone meek or fearful. They will always want to be led by someone confident and strong. The most effective leaders are confident without being cocky, and even better, they boost the confidence in everyone they work with without question.
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