The Qualities in Leadership
The Qualities in
Leadership
Some of key qualities that every good leader should possess,
and learn to emphasize.
1. Honesty
Whatever ethical plane you hold yourself to, when you are
responsible for a team of people, its important to raise thebar even higher. Your business and its employees are a
reflection of yourself, and if you make honest and ethical
behavior a key value, your team will follow suit.
2. Communication
Knowing what you want accomplished may seem clear in your
head, but if you try to explain it to someone else and are met with a blank
expression, you know there is a problem. If this has been your experience, then
you may want to focus on honing your communication skills. Being able to
clearly and succinctly describe what you want done is extremely important. If
you can’t relate your vision to your team, you won’t all be working towards the
same goal.Training new members and creating a productive work environment all depend on healthy lines of communication. Whether that stems from an open door policy to your office, or making it a point to talk to your staff on a daily basis, making yourself available to discuss interoffice issues is vital. Your team will learn to trust and depend on you, and will be less hesitant to work harder.
3. Confidence
Part of your job as a leader is to put out fires and
maintain the team morale. Keep up your confidence level, and assure everyone
that setbacks are natural and the important thing is to focus on the larger
goal. As the leader, by staying calm and confident, you will help keep the team
feeling the same. Remember, your team will take cues from you, so if you exude
a level of calm damage control, your team will pick up on that feeling. The key
objective is to keep everyone working and moving ahead.
4. Commitment
If you expect your team to work hard and produce quality
content, you’re going to need to lead by example. There is no greater
motivation than seeing the boss down in the trenches working alongside everyone
else, showing that hard work is being done on every level. By proving your
commitment to the brand and your role, you will not only earn the respect of
your team, but will also instill that same hardworking energy among your staff.
It’s important to show your commitment not only to the work at hand, but also
to your promises. If you pledged to host a holiday party, or uphold summer
Fridays, keep your word. You want to create a reputation for not just working
hard, but also be known as a fair leader. Once you have gained the respect of
your team, they are more likely to deliver the peak amount of quality work
possible.
5. Positive Attitude
You want to keep your team motivated towards the continued
success of the company, and keep the energy levels up. Whether that means
providing snacks, coffee, relationship advice, or even just an occasional beer
in the office, remember that everyone on your team is a person. Keep the office
mood a fine balancebetween productivity and playfulness.
6. Inspire
Creating a business often involves a bit of forecasting.
Especially in the beginning stages of a startup, inspiring your team to see the
vision of the successes to come is vital. Make your team feel invested in the
accomplishments of the company. Whether everyone owns a piece of equity, or you
operate on a bonus system, generating enthusiasm for the hard work you are all
putting in is so important. Being able to inspire your team is great for
focusing on the future goals, but it is also important for the current issues.
When you are all mired deep in work, morale is low, and energy levels are
fading, recognize that everyone needs a break now and then. Acknowledge the
work that everyone has dedicated and commend the team on each of their efforts.
It is your job to keep spirits up, and that begins with an appreciation for the
hard work.
Comments
Post a Comment