What does being a leader mean to you? Is it someone who dictates the way and makes the final decisions without consideration or consultation? Or is someone who embodies the team and shows their appreciation for a job well done?
Take a moment to take the following objectives into account and consider if your style of leadership could use some fine-tuning. Take each point as an opportunity to grow and learn.
Confidence: First thing’s first – there is a big difference between “confidence” and “arrogance.” Confident leaders take the failures and make them an opportunity to learn. Arrogant leaders belittle their team. Which category do you fall under?
Be Positive: Remember the old adage: Actions speak louder than words? Well, your actions set the tone for your workplace environment. Establish guidelines regarding behaviours that will and will not be tolerated and encourage positive conduct. When you demonstrate positive reinforcement, your team will respond in kind.
Show Respect: Another popular saying rings true in the world of leadership: Give credit where credit is due. Gain the respect of your employees and customers through honesty and openness. If you make a mistake, take responsibility for your actions and encourage the members of your team to do the same. When you accept that individuals are apt to make mistakes and deal with the issues directly, you create a more supportive work environment.
Learn from the Past: Every leader has a different style. Take a glimpse into the history of the company and study the perception of those who have previously held your position. Why did they succeed? What were common mistakes? How were those mistakes dealt with? Through this history, you can learn how to enhance the various assets of the company and improve your management skills at the same time.
Taking all of this into account, do you have what it takes to be a genuine leader?
