This week, one of our members asked the rest of their TAB Board, “What does leadership mean to you?” We took turns sharing what leadership looks like inside and outside of the workplace. The discussion was awesome. It was comprehensive, everyone was engaged, and ideas continued to build on top of each other.
Here are the consolidated points of 10 qualities of an effective leader:
1. Lead by Example
How many times have we seen someone tell a good story, but they don’t walk the talk? A good leader must lead by example, and act in a mentorship role. Not only should they do what they say, they should come alongside others to help them succeed. Coming alongside is a nuance to mentoring, not just challenging people in a confrontational way.
2. Come Prepared
Good leaders are always prepared for any situation. They don’t just wing it. They are prepared to dive in and engage, and aren’t content to simply watch everything unfold before them.
3. Don’t Micro-Manage
There’s a difference between saying, “I’ll show you how,” and saying, “I’ll tell you what you did wrong,” or “I’ll do it for you – you obviously can’t!” When micro-managing, you run the risk of not actually teaching your employees or helping them improve in their skills and confidence. This goes back to the idea of coming alongside to mentor and build them up for success. That being said, you should allow others to fail, and teach them to fail well. This offers teachable moments. You should always remain teachable, too.
4. Practice Self-Improvement
Strive to always improve yourself personally and professionally. If you are complacent, how can you expect to lead someone else who is seeking to grow? That is a hypocritical model for self-improvement.
5. Make Sacrifices
Sometimes, leaders have to make sacrifices to their time, results or ego to allow the ones they are leading to progress. Forget about the notion, “If you want it done ‘right’ do it yourself!” Be open to different perspectives and make sacrifices to your own way. We can’t see situations from all sides. You are not walking in their moccasins, and there may be a different way. At least seek to understand first.
6. Listen
Open up a dialogue; take in information about what others are experiencing, feeling or struggling with. If you hear something you did not want to hear, thank the source. They are doing you a favor by sharing with you what you may need to hear to improve the culture of the workplace, mediate a difficult conversation or otherwise to help others follow your lead.
7. Be Committed
Don’t lead others if you aren’t committed. They will sense it. People follow leaders who are committed to the cause or organization they are in charge of. So, if you are committed, be consistent in keeping the goal at the heart of all you do. Nothing is more frustrating than following an inconsistent leader.
8. Be Passionate
If you want to lead someone somewhere, ensure it is your passion. If not, they’ll view your objectives as unimportant, temporary or disingenuous. Passion can be contagious, so harness that passion; keep it at the forefront and it will inspire and engage others to follow suit.
9. Make Others Successful
Let them close the deal, put the final touches on the effort, take it across the goal line. Choose your own metaphor. Many of us like recognition and words of affirmation. If we help someone succeed (this should be our goal), let them get the praise and take the credit they deserve!
10. Help Others Follow
Based on the above, help others follow your lead. If they currently aren’t, listen and observe why they are struggling. Help them learn; provide resources, people, money, time or prioritization. This quality of helping others to follow is often overlooked and can be the most powerful!
What are your thoughts? What does leadership mean to you and how are you implementing these effective leadership qualities into how you run your business?
By Bob Dodge