5 things great leaders do
Leadership for some, comes naturally. For others, life in a management role can be difficult to navigate. Stepping into more responsibility can signal an income bump and a huge sense of accomplishment however a rise to the top often means that your skills as a leader and where you stand in terms of those you lead can become a point of contention.
Below are five characteristics I’ve observed in leaders that are respected and achieve results in their teams.
They sit back, watch and listen to their team. Paying attention to the dynamics, the relationships and the blockages - an effective leader can quickly identify the intricacies of their team without the need to speed 3 hours with them on a Friday night at the local watering hole. Picking up on the undertones, noticing the dynamics and enhancing skill sets is a communication skill that requires empathy and active listening.
They are respected but willing to be challenged. In fact, they respect someone who presents a well rounded argument or out of the box solution.
They are part of the team. They share in the highs and lows including putting their hand up to protect the team when there is a failure.
They have a leadership style based on relationship building and mutual respect. They act professionally but focus on the human being not the job title.
They mentor and they are mentored. They are keen to share their knowledge and help foster the talent around them. They are also big on professional and personal development and seek out learning opportunities consistently.
What else do you think should be added to the list?
