Leadership is one of the most essential skills you’ll need to succeed in the business landscape. While in the past it has been considered that great leaders are born, research has proven that’s not necessarily the case. Just like any other ability, leadership can be learned.
That’s not to say it is easy to master this skill – not at all. Unlike learning how to use Excel, which involves knowledge of fixed formulas, strong leadership isn’t a linear path, and there will be stumbling blocks along the way. However, these moments will be the key to your growth.
What does being a leader really mean?
So, we mentioned the importance of developing strong leadership skills, but what is a leader, after all? Essentially, it is an individual who inspires and motivates a group of people, leading them towards a shared goal. Let’s take the example of a teacher. Their role is to help the students develop their knowledge of a certain subject and to do so, they use motivation and inspiration – two aspects that are essential when it comes to leadership.
A leader doesn’t just give orders, waiting for the team members to obey them. Instead, they are emotionally intelligent and focus on building strong relationships with them before inspiring change. A business leader is no different than a coach – they help people succeed by ensuring they have all the necessary resources to achieve the company’s mission.
What are the best ways to become an influential leader?
As mentioned before, developing leadership skills is achievable as long as you are committed to this goal. In what follows, we will take a look at some of the most important abilities you need as a leader, as well as how to build them.
Enhance communication skills
Needless to say, good communication skills are essential for a leader. Since you must communicate constantly, whether with executives or individual contributors, knowing how to use the right words is a must. Some great ways to master communication abilities include practicing active listening, assertively conveying your message, and asking for feedback regarding your current communication skills.
Moreover, seeking out public speaking opportunities is also an excellent idea for enhancing your communication skills. Lastly, empathy is also essential because it allows you to respond to specific situations in a positive way, thus fostering stronger relationships at your company.
Exhibit discipline
Discipline is the highest form of leadership, allowing your team to follow suit and enhancing work efficiency. Moreover, when employees notice that you “walk the talk”, it becomes easier for them to comply with your instructions. Demonstrating discipline involves meeting deadlines, starting and ending meetings on time, and constantly sticking to your commitments.
Remember that self-discipline isn’t an inherent ability but, rather, a learned behavior. One way to set yourself up for success is by taking the time you need to make decisions. This is a huge responsibility – and often tiring- as there are many decisions you have to make, such as how to allocate resources and assign work to your team correctly. So, remember not to overwhelm yourself and balance your priorities. Create a daily routine and stick to it, and if you feel like some of your tasks are daunting, begin with the smaller ones and improve from there.
Never stop learning
Knowledge is one of your strongest assets as a leader, so it is vital to constantly learn new things that will help you enhance your role – because there is always room for improvement. Fortunately, there are different ways you can grow professionally as a leader, such as seeking leadership training programs. This is key in implementing employee retention techniques and creating a collaborative workplace culture. A leadership keynote speaker can teach you how to strike the right balance and provide actionable steps to help you stay innovative and inspire people by mastering soft skills and maintaining a positive attitude.
Of course, one of the best ways to attain knowledge is through real-life leadership experience. This is part of the leadership journey and can help you gain valuable insights. Also, consider learning from experienced leaders as well, as they can help you tremendously to enrich your leadership skills.
Empower your team
Acknowledging your team’s efforts and their worth can empower them to do better, thus improving their productivity in the long run. It’s essential to make team members feel like they belong in your company and that they bring a major contribution to the growth of your business. So, show them appreciation for the effort they put in every day – don’t just say “thank you”; instead, get specific about what behaviors you are grateful for.
A great way to empower your team is by uncovering each team member’s strengths and delegating tasks accordingly. This will play a role in their professional development while helping you achieve your company’s goals.
Handle conflicts effectively
Conflict happens in any organization – it’s normal. Therefore, the goal isn’t to try and prevent them from occurring but to know how to resolve them effectively. In order to do so, it’s essential to remain calm and focus on the facts to help discover solutions to the problem. Do your best to stay neutral so that no team member involved in the conflict feels like you’ve turned against them.
Suppose you notice behavior that causes potential conflict. In this case, establishing guidelines to promote a friendlier work environment is a good strategy. For instance, consider promoting respectful behavior among team members or creating an accountability system for errors. Getting clear on the expected behavior and holding them accountable from the beginning is vital to avoiding conflict.
Transform your business through strong leadership
Strong leadership has a significant impact on the success of a company. As research suggests, leadership and organizational performance go hand in hand, so focus on creating an environment based on transparency and trust, as this will ultimately help you achieve outstanding results.
Remember, being an exceptional leader is all about walking side-by-side with your team, always assuming good intent, and encouraging authenticity. So, stay humble and strive to create a safe space for employees where they can always feel supported and motivated.
