Have you recently been given the opportunity to take on a leadership role, or maybe you’ve been in that position for years?

Are you concerned about doing a good job?

Kudos for wanting to either get off to a good start or improve your current leadership skills.

Being a good leader isn’t something the majority of people can naturally do. Contrary to belief, a good leader isn’t born. Some people do have more natural tendencies, but most people need to learn. And no matter if you have natural leadership skills or a ways to go, both groups need to continue to work at it. 

But where to start? Here are some tips to help improve your leadership skills.

What does a leader do?

• Oversees a team
• Sets goals and makes sure the members are working toward those goals
• Evaluates progress
• Communicates amongst the team, as well as those in upper management
• Resolves conflict
• Handles strategy
• Inspires the team
• Manages resources
• Organizes the project
• Coaches team members
• Develops team strengths and improves weaknesses

What kind of leader are you?

• What’s your leadership style?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Using a leadership assessment tool can help identify those qualities, and you can use the results to improve as a leader.

Now what?

Take to heart one of the expressions that teenagers often say to their parents, “You think you know everything, but you don’t.”

That’s so true.

A good leader acknowledges that there’s always more to learn about being a good leader. Don’t remain stagnant. The world is ever-changing, so continue to look for ways to improve your leadership abilities. Never stop learning.

Learn to Communicate Effectively

• Keep the lines of communication open.
• Listen.
• Since each person is different, understanding how best to interact with varying styles of personality is extremely beneficial (Myer-Briggs examples).

Set Clear Employee Goals and Expectations

• People like to know what’s expected of them.
• Ask for questions and feedback. Depending on the job, the employees might have a better understanding of what is required to achieve the goal.
• Take advantage of apps for everyone to track progress.
• Revisit goals and modify them as needed.

Lead by Example

• Hold yourself accountable to your own expectations.
• Instead of, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” try, “If you want something done right, show them how to do it.”
• Work as hard as you’re asking others to work.
• Model the qualities that you would like to see in others.

Know Your Team Members’ Strengths and Weaknesses

• Designate what someone will do based on their strengths.
  • For example, the graphic designer should not be interviewing clients.
• Challenge them.
• Assign them jobs that will benefit the company.

Motivate Your Employees

• Encourage them to give their best.
• Instill a feeling of trust in their ability to do the job.
• Let them know you want them to succeed.
• Be the mentor that you would want to have.

Be Generous with Sincere Praise

• Be specific.
• Give credit where credit is due.
• Success happens because of the team – DO NOT take all the praise for a job well done, it is a team effort.
• Praise your team in public.
• When people feel they are appreciated, they will be happier and perform better.

Ask for Feedback

• Your team can give suggestions on how to improve your leadership skills.
• Use a feedback box.
• Be willing to make the changes.
• Have humility.

Being a better leader also means wanting to be a better leader!

 Be always on the lookout for resources to improve your leadership skills.

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

As a leader, you are the glue – so, be sticky.