Introduction
Have you ever tried a leadership role at work?
Stepping up and into a leadership position can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time in charge. But, becoming a leader doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, learning to lead well is enjoyable and will improve your work satisfaction.
If this sounds familiar, keep on reading. We’ve combined the top tips to help you get prepared for this career change. Whether you’re new to leadership or not, keeping your skills topped up will always benefit your career and your team.
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What Makes A Good Leader?
Though it may seem like the best leaders were born to lead, they had to learn too. Everyone starts somewhere, so don’t feel down if you’re not a proficient leader yet - you just need some practice!
Certain qualities make a good leader, though. Make sure you focus on these attributes to maintain leadership in the office. Of course, practice makes perfect, but if you do your research, you’ll see more positive results in your actions too.
Most successful leaders have these traits:
- Self-confidence
- Patience
- Clear communication skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Motivation
If you find yourself in a leadership role, it’s likely that you already embody some of these traits. However, there’s always room for improvement! Many famous leaders reach notoriety as they continually improve their skills and reach for success.
Are you ready to develop your leadership skills? Keep on reading to find out what leadership skills you should focus on.
The Best Leadership Tips
We’ve researched the top skills leaders need to create specialized tips for you. Try implementing this advice into your work life and watch your skillset strengthen!
Communicate Well
If you’ve been in business for a while, you probably know that clear communication is a must. If your communication skills are weaker, you’ll have difficulty getting heard and understood by your colleagues.
Make sure your messages get to the point without being blunt to improve your communication. The key is to be polite and friendly without confusing the recipient. It’s easy to be harsh and rude, though. This must be avoided as no one wants to work with an unpleasant colleague.
Another essential skill to focus on is communication through different mediums. Though you might be used to email messaging, you also need to communicate well in-person, on video calls, and in letters too. Even if you’re working from home in an ergonomic office chair, you need to be loud and clear as a leader. A true leader can get their point across in any format.
Honour Your Commitments
As a leader, all eyes will be on you. A team always looks to their leader in times of crisis or confusion. However, if their leader isn’t living up to their word, it will decrease their respect. If you ask your team to work overtime and leave early, they will wonder why you get off easy. This can lead to a decrease in motivation and slacking off too.
When you’re a leader, it’s important to remember you are still part of a team. Make sure you set an example and work with them. Avoid ordering them around and place yourself on the same level. This will strengthen trust in the team too.
Learn To Give And Take Feedback
Feedback is an essential element within the workplace. This teaches you where you can improve and what you’re doing well. As a leader, you’ll need to learn to give feedback without offending your team. Make sure you add in a complimentary comment for every criticism. This will teach your team that you appreciate their work, and the positive reinforcement will motivate them to improve.
On the other hand, it’s imperative that you can also take feedback. Strong leaders are open to comments on their performance as they take the team’s feelings into account. If you get defensive at the first mention of criticism, it’s time to cool down and reconsider. Their comments will help you improve your skills too.
Use Empathy
As a leader, you’ll be expected to work with colleagues every day. When working with other people, empathy and emotional intelligence are some of the most critical skills. As humans, sometimes we have off days. Leaders need to notice when their team member is feeling down to guide the team well. This will allow you to reach out and help if needed.
Avoid Fear-Based Leadership
A key trait that separates good and bad leaders is whether they use fear to lead or not. If you threaten your team with penalties, they’re likely to stress out and work out of fear. This creates a hostile working atmosphere, and it can block communication.
Alternatively, your team will respond well when you lead out of honesty and trust. This creates an open and positive atmosphere, the ideal setting for productivity.
The Bottom Line
It’s common to be nervous when you’re promoted to a leadership role, but there are tips and tricks to help you with a smooth transition. Remember, you’ve been chosen for this role because you already have the skills needed! You just need to practice your craft and embody the traits that make a great leader.
Want to learn more? Visit the Flexispot blog here for extra work and life tips.
