Some leaders are born, some are created over time.
If you’re in a prominent role where you need to step up a a leaders, here are some simple strategies to get you started today.
1. Know what kind of leader you want to be.
It’s hard to become a motivational leader if you don’t have an example to follow.
Determine what qualities in a strong leader you want to embody, so you have a benchmark to aim towards.
● A good way to start is think about the kind of leaders that appeal most to you and find out what kind of leadership styles they use.
● Transformational leaders stand out because they are empowering, positive, and inspiring, but each person approaches their role differently.
● Take assessments to determine your current leadership style and approach and develop a plan for bridging the gaps to success.
2. Encourage creativity.
If you really want to achieve incredible things, it’s important to encourage those around you.
A creative team is more likely to come up with positive ideas on how to achieve the company’s goals and generate new opportunities.
● With that in mind, be sure that everyone in your staff feels comfortable sharing their thoughts with you.
● Offer challenges to your team members and ask them to compete with their best ideas.
3. Embody the values you want to see.
Leaders are there to guide and inspire the people around them. If you want to see incredible things from your staff, give them a model to replicate.
● Even if you are new to leadership, presenting yourself as a role model is very important and it all starts with understanding your values.
Reflect on the things that matter most to you as a leader and what you want to see in your followers.
● Showcase the qualities, traits and attributes you want to see in others, more importantly become the right leader that others can aspire to become.
4. Invest in Good Communication.
Strengthen your communication skills wherever possible.
This includes ensuring that you can effectively communicate in person, over video or conference calls or through online tools.
● Great leaders should always make time to frequently talk to their colleagues and team members.
● This includes leaving the lines of communication open, so you can receive constructive feedback after group meetings.
● Ensure that no-one ever feels nervous about coming to you with insights or just questions about what to do next.
5. Encourage and motivate your team.
As a leader, you can judge yourself by your team’s successes. Ultimately, their wins are your wins too.
It’s important to constantly encourage, motivate, and inspire your team and avoid overshadowing the spotlight in any situation.
● Schedule one-on-one session with employees so often, so you can discuss their goals and how they align with the overall company’s mission and objectives.
