Who was your best boss? You'll undoubtedly pick someone you like, they will probably have invested time in you, they will have developed your professional skills, they may even have expected a lot of you. But they will probably have given you opportunities and freedom. They will have had your back when needed. They probably put energy into forming a cohesive team but also understood and valued your individual contribution. They would be a person who spoke about ideas and strategies, they probably didn't indulge in blame and criticism.
The job description for Leaders is "be a good leader".
Effective leadership is not just a desirable trait - it’s an absolute necessity. For seasoned executives, team leaders, or aspiring managers, your skill as a leader can be the actual reason why people get out of bed in the morning.
It's never too late to work on essential leadership skills, and there's always room for improvement. And we know that leadership is crucial for driving organisational change and success.
Why do we find effective leadership exciting?
Effective leaders ignite excitement because they embody a sense of progress and possibility. Great leaders inspire us to believe in their vision, they often hold a kind of magnetism that people are drawn to. They're invested in their mission so much that we want to 'have what they're having'.
They're not always people at the pinnacle of success, but they know things and they've seen things. They've learned from both failures and successes. The direction they share with us helps us to feel more certain as their clarity cuts through the chaos.
Leaders champion change with courage, they nurture growth in themselves and others and their enthusiasm is contagious. Leadership may at times involve being on a pedestal addressing the masses, but it is usually connecting and listening with warmth and empathy. A great leader creates harmony and cohesion.
When they tell us we can do it, we believe them.
Being an effective leader with substance is work, and it will take effort. Let's look at where to invest your time.
Self-Awareness
Great leaders begin by understanding themselves. Self-awareness involves recognising your strengths, weaknesses, values, and emotions. It’s about being attuned to how your actions impact others.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
To enhance self-awareness reflect, seek feedback and embrace growth. Regularly assess your behaviour, decisions, and reactions. Solicit input from colleagues, mentors, and team members; and be open to change and continuous learning.
Effective Communication
Why are we always banging on about communication? Our entire lives consist of the conversations we have. Communication lies at the tipping point of everything we do, including how we lead others. Leaders must convey their vision, expectations, and feedback clearly and authentically.
To improve communication skills listen actively, value clarity and understand that communication is nonverbal too. Pay attention, ask questions, and show empathy. Use simple language, avoid jargon, and tailor your message to the audience. Be mindful of your body language and tone.
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter F. Drucker
Influence and Persuasion
Indispensable leadership partners, Influence and Persuasion, form the basis of your ability to lead. Being skilled at ethical influencing enables leaders to navigate complex relationships building alignment from a group of potentially disparate motivations. This is another reason why we find effective leadership so exciting: leading by example is a great indication of ethics in influence.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams, former U.S. President
To master the arts of ethical influence and persuasion build relationships, understand motivations and learn storytelling. Cultivate trust and rapport with colleagues. Tailor your approach based on individual needs. Craft compelling narratives to convey your message effectively.
Learning Agility
Adaptability is essential. Leaders who learn swiftly gain the competitive edge. Embracing change and learning from setbacks needs to be balanced by decisions about steering. Course over-corrections are a waste of people's time and energy. On the other hand technology, business and research evolve rapidly. Leaders who stay curious and encourage innovation will solve problems faster and remain relevant.
Cultivate learning agility by experimentation, staying curious and through flexibility. Try new approaches and learn from failures. Seek diverse perspectives and stay informed. Adapt to shifting circumstances without losing sight of your goals.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Leaders with high EQ understand and manage their emotions and those of others. This distinguishes exceptional leaders from the rest. A leader's ability relies on their understanding of what drives the people around them. Without EQ, leaders can only guess when they're leading effectively. EQ includes creating a safe environment and a sense of belonging for team members so they can focus on innovation and collaboration.
“If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.” – Daniel Goleman
Engaged employees are more motivated, less affected by burnout and stress and they relate to customers with genuine belief and enthusiasm. Empathy leaves lasting impressions.
Develop EQ by practicing empathy, self-regulation and social awareness. Put yourself in others’ shoes and consider their feelings. Stay composed under pressure and avoid impulsive reactions. Read the emotional cues of your team and respond appropriately.
Decision-Making
Leaders face complex choices daily spanning various domains such as strategy, people management, resource allocation, customers and external relations. These can be conflicting priorities, often requiring a delicate balance between unpredictable factors. Leaders must understand when ambiguity is unavoidable and when uncertainty is creating an even larger problem. The consequences of their decisions can have far-reaching impacts on the trajectory of the organisation as well as in the lives and livelihoods of the people they lead.
Leaders who demonstrate discernment, foresight, and adaptability in the face of daily decision making are exciting to watch in action.
“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” – Gloria Steinem
Sharpen your decision-making skills by gathering information, assessing risk and being decisive. Base decisions on data, insights, and diverse viewpoints. Weigh pros and cons, considering short-term and long-term impacts. Make timely choices, even when faced with uncertainty. When everything has been weighed up - take the leap.
Vision and Strategic Thinking
Leaders set the course for their teams and organisations through the process of envisioning and planning for long-term success. This involves synthesising information from various sources, analysing trends and patterns, and anticipating the challenges and opportunities. Strategic thinkers consider both internal capabilities and external factors such as market and competitor dynamics. They prioritise objectives, set clear goals, and develop actionable plans to achieve them, often incorporating flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Strategic thinking fosters innovation, risk management, and proactive decision-making, enabling organisations to navigate complexities and capitalise on emerging trends effectively.
Strategic thinkers know where to focus and they invest in change.
"Strategic management is not a box of tricks or a bundle of techniques. It is analytical thinking and commitment of resources to action. But quantification alone is not planning. Some of the most important issues in strategic management cannot be quantified at all." - Peter F. Drucker
Develop strategic thinking by developing a big-picture perspective, creating team alignment and investing in innovation. Understand industry trends, competitive landscapes, and long-term goals. Ensure your team’s efforts align with the overall vision. Encourage creative solutions and anticipate future challenges.
Resilience
Leaders encounter setbacks, criticism, and adversity. This is part of what we find exciting about them. They have 'war stories' and scars but their magnetism comes from always getting back up again and moving on to the next adventure. Sometimes great leadership comes from trying a number of different approaches until one accidentally works: the secret is in never giving up.
Resilience involves adaptability, having a positive mindset and self-care. Bounce back from setbacks and adjust your approach. Focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Prioritise your well-being to maintain resilience.
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison
Leadership skills aren't fixed; they develop over time with practice, feedback, and a growth mindset. Invest in your development, seek mentorship, and be yourself! Lead with authenticity. As you cultivate these essential skills, you’ll not only elevate your own career but also empower those around you.
Want more on leadership? Book now for your personal, confidential 90 minute coaching session.
“I think mentors are important, and I don’t think anybody makes it in the world without some form of mentorship. Nobody makes it alone. Nobody has made it alone. And we are all mentors to people even when we don’t know it.” – Oprah Winfrey
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