The phrase “good leader” can be subjective, but if you’ve worked for a “good” leader or a “bad” leader, you definitely know the difference. If you’re ready to take the next step in your business endeavors and you’re determined to be a good or great leader, what should you do?
How can you ensure that you are going to be the kind of leader that your staff or contractors will want to follow? What can you do to be a great leader even in the face of difficult times or challenges?
When you are in a leadership position and if you have hired well and are delegating, your role as a leader can inspire action in your team or it can create discontent and discord. The way you lead can literally spell success or disaster.
Do you bring any or all of these 10 skills to the leadership table?
- You are a collaborator. When you are a leader, yes, you are in charge, but remember that it is the team you have created that will move the projects forward. When you collaborate with your team, everyone succeeds. Don’t use your power to dictate; you will prosper better when you collaborate. Asking for information can be very helpful in many ways.
- Find the dysfunction and eradicate. When there is dysfunction in the workplace or on your team, everyone suffers, not just the parties involved. Team morale drops when one or two people on the team are cranky. When you see or hear about team dysfunction, talk to people privately and then together. Do what you can to get to the bottom of the problem. Know that at some junctures, there is nothing you can do and one, or more, of the parts that foster the dysfunction may have to go. Don’t let the “cancer” spread in your company.
- Your team is one of your greatest assets. Focus attention on them. Listen to them. Give them the resources they need to complete their tasks and prosper. Appreciate them. Offer them opportunities to develop and grow. Get to know them and their hopes and dreams. Foster an environment where you know what your team is up to on the weekend, what their work dreams are, and be respectful.
- How can you make an impact? If you’ve stepped into the leadership role of someone who’s moved up or moved on, challenge the status quo. Just because “that’s the way it’s always been done” doesn’t mean it should continue to be done that way. Look for ways to streamline and update processes. However, don’t throw everything away. There may be processes that have been perfected over the years that are ideal.
- Keep learning. Just because you’ve achieved the title of “leader” doesn’t mean you should stop learning. In fact, a leader must continue to learn throughout his career. Stay on top of trends. Find out what’s new and interesting and what’s coming up in your industry.
- Share with your team what your values are. Yes, you will be driving the missions and visions of the company itself, but each leader has their own value system. Let his team know what yours are; don’t leave them guessing. If you value honesty, punctuality, or humor, tell everyone about it.
- Establish an open door policy. You’ll need to set boundaries, of course, or you’ll never get your work done, but let your team know you’re there for them when they need your help. Set office hours, but don’t be so rigid that a team member won’t feel comfortable coming to you outside of those hours. Connect and work with your team.
- Let your character shine. It is not enough to share your values and convictions, your team needs to see you live them. If punctuality is important to you, or so you said, if you are late for meetings, you are not living your conviction and your character is showing, and not in a good way.
- Stay as accountable as you do with your team. You are the glue that unites the entire team and its projects. Don’t let your part of the project fail: if your team is accountable, you are accountable to them and to the work.
- Train your “successor.” You may not be planning to go anywhere, but if you see a member of your team who would thrive in a leadership role or in another department, work with him or her to help realize that dream. Don’t be selfish and don’t hold them back because they are amazing. A great leader notices talent and nurtures it.
What steps can you take to be an even better leader today?
“How could there be a leadership vacuum in your office in your territory where you are the expert?”
The short answer is that you can never allow a leadership vacuum for a customer to walk in. It is about leadership and not control.