“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader They set out to make a difference It’s never about the Role It’s always about the Goal.”….Lisa Haisha
You have been created for something great, but remember, with greatness comes responsibility. Are you up to it? If yes, then you are a Leader.
Leadership is not about titles, position, roles. It is about one life inspiring others. The quality of great leaders is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. As John Quincy Adams said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, only then you are truly a leader”.
Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others. Leadership is of utmost importance at all levels. Leadership contributes towards employee productivity, organizational commitment and sets a remarkable standard for employees to achieve.
Here are eight merits that every good leader must possess, and learn to emphasize:
Strong Commitment towards team and self Rather than sitting and expecting your team to produce great results, you will have to lead by example. There is no greater inspiration than seeing the leader down in the trenches working along with everyone else; it clearly shows that that hard work is being done at every level. By proving your commitment to your role, you will not only earn the respect of your team, but also instill that same commitment and synergy flowing across the organization.
Have and instill a Positive Attitude Keep your team motivated whatever the situation might be. No matter what, a leader always looks at the cup half full – always looking at the positive side of the problem. Give your team a break. Order some snacks, sip a cup of coffee, or indulge in a healthy conversation with your team. This will help in building strong relationship with your team. Keep the office mood a fine balance between productivity and playfulness. If your team is intrinsically motivated, chances are they won’t mind waiting an extra hour to finish a report, or devoting their best work to the organization.
A leader’s Intuition works – sometimes overtime When heading your team through uncharted waters, there is no roadmap on what is to be done next. Everything seems uncertain. That is where your natural intuition has to step in. Guiding your team when something unforeseen occurs with your willpower and strong instincts will make a huge difference. In tough situations your team will look up to you for guidance. The tough decisions will be left up to you to decide and you will need to depend on your gut instinct for answers.
Inspire, Inspire, Inspire Inspiration is what keeps your team going. A great leader is an excellent source of inspiration. Being able to inspire your team is important for focusing on the future goals. When all your team members are stuck in only work, morale is low, and energy levels are fading, time to understand that everyone needs a break. Take an extra effort and charge your team. Make them feel a part of the achievements of the company. Acknowledge the work that everyone has done. It is your job to keep the spirits high, and that begins with an appreciation for the hard work.It is very important to understand the fact that all human beings are different and unique in their own ways. Employees come from different backgrounds, they differ in terms of cultural perspectives, language barriers, educational backgrounds, personality traits and understanding levels. Some perform well under pressure, others don’t. Some respond best to feedback, others take it personally and get demotivated.
Honesty is the best Policy As a leader you are responsible for the performance of your team. It becomes essential to raise the bar even higher. Honesty in everyday activities contributes towards the overall productivity of the organization. When your team observes a level of commitment in your work, they tend to apply the same in theirs. Make honesty and ethical behavior a key value, and encourage your team to live up to these standards. By highlighting these standards, and displaying them yourself, you will eventually influence your team to be honest and just in their approach.
Ability to Delegate Delegating tasks to the appropriate departments is one of the most important skills you must develop as your business grows. Delegating allows you to concentrate on the most important aspects of your business. A leader is in-charge of the overall direction of a team. He should not involve himself in every single task that has been allotted to the team members. Micro-management or constantly keeping an eye on their every activity will demotivate the employees making them feel that their leader has no confidence and faith in them. The key to delegation is identifying strengths of your team, and capitalizing on them to produce quality results.
Effective Communication For a great leader, communication is the key to all solutions. It is a well-known fact that good leaders are good communicators. Being able to clearly describe what you want is extremely important. Training new members and creating a productive work environment, depends on healthy communication lines. Communication helps in building long-term relationships with not only key stake-holders but with your team as well. Effective communication portrays a good image of your organization. Various issues, suggestions and concerns of your team can be addressed through healthy communication.
Motivation – a driving force Motivation is the inner force or influence that leaders must have all the time and especially in difficult times. If your server could be down and your project gets delayed, you could lose a major client or you are running short of funds. At such times, guiding your team to work effectively regardless of the situation without panicking is a challenge. Motivation is linked to productivity, and it’s your job as the leader to instill a motivational force in the organization.
In order to optimize your effectiveness as a leader, you must have the ability to deal with every team member, with a different approach, all depending on the caliber and understanding level of each employee. Leaders should have these merits deeply embedded in them which will pave the way for the success of the organization and bring out the best from all the team players.
