This blog will take you through 5 effective strategies to become great leaders. Throughout our lives, we meet numerous people who often leave an imprint on our mind as great friends, or great leaders or mentors. In the current fast-paced world, being a leader at work or in life requires certain specific attributes and strength to face challenges steadfastly.
The strength of any organisation or firm lies in the strength of its leaders at every level. Hence, leadership is a necessary trait to have in order to achieve success in life. Your actions as a manager and strategies you use to counter challenges say a lot about your skill as a leader.
Do you think you’re a good leader? If you believe that being wise is a must for being a good leader or that a good leader must know all answers or that he/she can do all tasks single-handedly, you are mistaken. Effective delegation, as opposed to great knowledge, is a sign of a great leader. Let’s understand a few other tenets of effective leadership and strategies to inculcate the same:
1) Practice Resilience!
Challenges are a part and parcel of life, but it depends on how you tackle them! Managing a team’s work is more challenging than being accountable for your own work. It is okay to make mistakes; however, leaders live the ‘never say die’ spirit and inculcate the same in their teams. Viewing mistakes as opportunities are the basis of attaining success. A real leader helps dissolve anxiety and fear in their teams, teaches them to learn from past mistakes and step forward, showing them the way to success!
2) Be and Stay Passionate!
Real passion and imminent desire for success are contagious. A lack of passion and energy is not a sign of a good leader. What are the ways to motivate a team? A team is motivated only when it can see the desire for good work in their leader’s eyes. Your clarity of purpose and your vision reflects in the work done by your team. However, a balance of passion and intellect is necessary for setting the perfect example. Setting realistic targets for your team and yourself is a sign of good leadership. A leader sets small targets for the team and leads them on the path to achieving a bigger goal. Lead by example and become a source of constant inspiration!
3) Engage in Dialogue!
Ask yourselves from time to time, ‘Do I feel connected to my team? Is my team on the same page as I am?’ Working towards one goal becomes difficult with a lack of effective communication.
Build a positive environment for your team. The more they trust you, the more they are open to feedback. Appreciation is the most important aspect of motivation. Learn to appreciate again and again. Check with yourself, ‘Do I know my team well?’ Taking breaks and having conversations beyond work is the most efficient way to build good relations with the team. Lack of communication can give rise to a lack of accountability, and eventually lead to immense anxiety and stress in your team. A window for smooth dialogue with the manager provides the team with a sense of support and camaraderie.
4) Be High on Emotional Intelligence!
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand your own as well as others’ emotions. Having this quality makes you capable of being aware of your actions and how they shall affect others. It prompts you to have control over your anger, your speech as well as your actions. It enables you to be humble and compassionate towards the people you’re working with. EI is a must for building an effective social personality!
5) Be a Mentor!
A mentor is a person who you can approach any time you face a difficulty to receive guidance and support. A mentor connects with you on an emotional as well as professional level, corrects you when there’s a need and appreciates you at the right time. A mentor is honest with you and expects you to be honest with them in return. In order to become an effective leader, one needs to be a good mentor too! As the quote reads, a leader prioritizes the growth of others and leads them on the path to success.
Apply these strategies and set the example of good leadership. Stay tuned for my upcoming blogs on tackling issues at work.
Till Then Keep Growing, Stay Healthy and Stress-free!
