Leadership is such a common term that we hear it practically every other day on TV, in the workplace, in our favourite shows and movies.
And yet, when leadership is thrust upon us, we often feel unsure and unsteady, wondering whether we have the chops to live up to the standards we have built up in our minds for the word “leader”.
Everyone has their own perceptions about what it means to be a leader, but few stop to think what makes a great one.
You can read hundreds of books and articles and find myriad different explanations, but there are some common threads you can use for reference in your new or upcoming role.
You may also consider taking a leadership course tailored to you or your company.
Here are some attributes of a great leader to keep in mind on your way up:
Taking responsibility
A great leader is one that takes charge of a situation, instead of shifting the blame on others or distancing himself from issues.
Time and time again, we have seen the heads of the biggest companies of the world make the effort to resolve even minor issues that their customers face.
They take responsibility and find a solution, even if they were not responsible for the issue occurring.
On the flip side, great leaders do not take sole responsibility for the success of a collective.
Instead, they share it around with everyone who had a part in it,
Delegating tasks
Usually, a leader has more knowledge about a topic or how their group/department/company works than other staff, so they feel the obligation to do all of the difficult tasks themselves.
They think that this is the only way to prevent mistakes, but the approach is flawed.
Leaders make mistakes, too, and taking on extra tasks and obligations just deprives the people around them of the chance to grow and learn.
Staying calm during the storm
When crises occur, everyone gets worried, including leaders. However, great leaders do not let it show, projecting calmness and remaining cool as a cucumber.
This is certainly a form of psychological projection, but an essential one.
When workers see the person they work for panicking, this gives them the rationale to react the same way or worse.
However, in the face of a calm and collected leader, they feel much calmer themselves and strive to emulate them.
Applying a multitude of communication techniques
One of the major focuses of a good leader is devoting ample time for communication.
They should be aware of what is on the minds of the people around them, their ideas and complaints, just as the people should hear tips, praise, and openness to feedback from a leader.
Some people are more talkative than others, and everyone comes with their own quirks, but a leader should find a common understanding with everyone to ensure that work goes on smoothly.
Inspiring
This quality is very difficult to learn, and mostly comes down to sharing your inner light with those around you.
If you are passionate or happy about something connected to the work you are doing, there is no shame in letting the emotions out.
If you have a brave vision or idea, you should not hide it or wait for a good day to try it, but rather share it with the world.
You might just be surprised by how much support you receive.
(pic licence free by pxhere)
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