Working your way up the ladder? Creating change and making news? Well done you! Still, striving to get to that leadership position you've been coveting? Now's the time to prove your leadership chops.
On it! But how do I become a better leader? I hear you asking.
Everyone has the right to sit and delegate tasks to other offices, but effective management requires more. Effective leadership impacts both their team members and the business. Employees working with excellent leaders generally feel more happy, productive and more in touch with their organization, which is a ripple effect on your business bottom line. A good leader will improve not only their business outcomes but their team members too.
What's the difference between leadership and management?
Here's the skinny: management and leadership are two very different things. You can be a leader and not a manager and we've all had a manager that was definitely not a leader.Occasionally managers are called "leaders" and vice versa, but while leaders can have managerial responsibilities, they don't always. "Managers" often operate in a hierarchy within an organization.
They ensure timely completion of project assignments and facilitating interpersonal relations, while leaders can be at any level. The best leaders ask questions, embrace innovative thinking along with honest feedback and transparency. "Leadership"enables teams by allowing each person to develop a unique leadership skill.
Why is leadership important?
It is important for any organization to recognize its successful leaders. Creative leadership allows organizations to operate effectively and better withstand changes. Organizations who excel in developing leadership behaviors generally achieve better returns in the future.
What makes a good leader?
Let me start off by saying that not everyone is born to lead. Some don't want to develop leadership skills, some are born with zero leadership qualities and some don't want to spend the time needed to motivate team members. However, while many great leaders aren't part of the official management leadership in an organization, leaders create the culture.
What are the qualities of good leader?
Good leaders acquire confidence, build strong relationships, are biased toward action, demonstrate humility, empower others, and remain authentic. There are as many leadership styles as there are leaders.
What are the qualities of a good leader? Here are 10 leadership characteristics:
1. A great leader sets goals and standards so that other group members on the team understand them.
First and foremost effective leaders need to model leadership behavior. Hold yourself to high standards and your team will follow suit. It's not always about leadership skills it has a lot to do with being able to inspire people to reach their goals.
Secondly, no matter your leadership style, make your goals clear to your team, get everyone calibrated, and then it's 872% easier for the team to work towards/help you achieve those goals. A leader's ability to keep a team highly motivated is where the success is.
Thirdly, always let people know what is expected of them and yourself - clearly. Fostering other team leaders and actively developing leaders takes emotional intelligence and day to day management. Honest feedback, from your team, about your key traits is what creates authentic leadership.
2. An effective leader is approachable, accessible and not an asshole.
Folx in leadership positions need to have social skills. A good leader doesn't need an ‘open door' policy (you still need to get your work done after all) but you absolutely need to be available, accessible and legitimately approachable. It also helps to be genuinely curious in your teammates and their work.
3. One of the best leadership traits is the self confidence to ask your team for input on your work and not settle into a status quo.
Leadership experts allow, and openly encourage, constructive criticism those around you will see open lines of communication that goes both ways. The caveat - you must actually listen (and really hear) what they have to say. It's a perfect setup to make sure everyone is on the same page.
4. In turn, good leadership offers constructive criticism in order to achieve results.
Constructive is the key word here. If it's not constructive, keep it to yourself. True constructive criticism is specific and actionable. If you're in a leadership role, stay away from simply saying “I don't like it.” Why specifically not, what can be fixed to make it better? Offer solutions.
5. Leaders allow for honesty.
One of the most requested personality traits of leaders is acceptance of honest and transparent feedback If you openly listen to the honest opinion from everyone including those above you, below you, lateral to you and the receptionist on the 11th floor - you'll know what really is going on and be able to head problems off at the pass before they even become problems. It's the simplest way to meet organizational goals.
6. For long term success, work with people better than you.
If you're in a hiring position, hire people better than you. If you aren't, offer yourself up to work with people a level up from you as much as possible. Ego aside, they'll influence you do better work and keep from getting complacent.
7. Be proactive about helping your team out and keeping the motivation going.
You know who is seen as the ultimate team player, especially in non-leadership situations? The admin who will tweak that deck because Heather is out sick. The Office Manager who gets the billing to finance early during month-end to ease up their load. The account guy who's meeting got cancelled so he offers to help you set up yours. Other stakeholders not waiting to be asked to help - but being aware and offering it willingly, that's the golden unicorn of teammates.
8. Take the credit but understand the importance of the blame.
If your team did great work, don't take the credit without acknowledging the contributions of others, but do gracefully accept kudos if they come your way. If your team screws something up - it's time for the leaders to take the blame too.
9. Work with people's strengths (that's where the success is).
This sounds like a no-brainer, and yet few in leadership follow it. People are not job titles, they're well... people. Two people with the same job title in your organization may have wildly different strengths. Play to them. Don't try to force Karen the introvert to throw the client parties when Barb is the party maven. Let Bob create all the reports that the party is celebrating cuz Bob is a data phenom! Pay attention to how people work best and on what. Use their best talents to the team's best advantage. The same goes for yourself!
10. Don't be a dick.
This is one is sort of my mantra. It's useful in different situations. It's difficult to get criticism in any job, but when employees are putting (sometimes literally) their blood, sweat, and tears into their work - just be nice. Offer your time, support, and input, and always be constructive, generous, and just… well… nice.
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The common thread through all these? Be nice, be proactive, lift others up. Be about other people just as much as you are about yourself.
Looking to solidify those leadership skills and becoming the best leader you can be? Check out my free resources and finally get started.
Yours in yes you can be an awesome leader goodness,
EBS
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EB Sanders
Career Coach for Creative Types
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Helping you figure out what you want to do and how to do it your way!
