10 Ways to Be a Better Leader

1. Be a role model

In order to be a leader you need to set an example and take responsibility. This is not easy and takes work, let’s say if you want your employees to be punctual to work, you need to serve as a role model and be on time as well. Leaders walk the walk and talk the talk. So when you think about which qualities you would want your team to have, be the first to implement that in practice, and notice how other people will follow your lead.

2. Communicate

Communication is a two way street, it’s not just about talking but it is about listening as well. Active listening helps strengthen relationships, as it is focused on understanding the other person’s needs. Feedback between the team and the leader helps resolve internal issues and improve team morale – this facilitates a better working environment for everyone. In order for communication to be efficient, there needs to be a focus on setting expectations that reflect the company goals and vision, and thinking about how it could be achieved in the group. While there are various leadership styles, being open, straightforward and transparent is a must.

3. Motivate your team

You’re the guide but you’re also part of the team. Take the time to really get to know your team and their unique personalities and working methods. This will mold your subsequent management strategy, as you will have valuable internal insights. Another way to motivate your team is by encouraging their personal and professional growth. Investing in employees is about empowering them to perform at a much higher level. Don’t forget to provide your employees with opportunities to take on challenges. And of course, if you are passionate, this will rub off on the team.

4. Be creative

Leaders pave the way towards innovation and creativity as they are open to new ideas. In this day and age change is inevitable, and the market is constantly evolving. What has worked for one project might not work for the subsequent one. Embracing alternative concepts is quite useful especially in the case of solving problems. When faced with obstacles let your team experiment and think outside of the box. Every team member in the group has a unique perspective on the situation at hand, and this is clearly an advantage.

5. Never stop learning

Great leaders are focused on improving themselves and love learning something new every day. If you want to get better, you need to look at your weak points. Mistakes are simply learning opportunities that help you grow and lead better next time. However, if you notice that you keep making the same mistakes over and over, it means that you’re not learning from them. When you identify the mistake, consider what could be causing it to happen so that you can prevent the same problem from reoccurring in the future. Ultimately, it’s about finding ways to transform failure into success.

6. Have a mentor

Everybody needs guidance and someone they can seek advice from. There is no one who knows everything or doesn’t need help at all. No matter who you are, get a mentor. A mentor will be able to provide you with knowledge that is based on personal experience and show you what it means to be a true leader. A potential mentor does not have to be in the same industry as you, but should share similar values and have a strong leadership aptitude. So when things get tough and you’re faced with challenges, you know who you can turn to for help.

7. Have fun

Leaders know that enthusiasm drives the team forward. It’s easy to get caught up in daily pressure and deadlines, and forget about having fun and enjoying what you do. But if a work environment is too strict or serious, employees can feel burdened and exhausted. In turn, this can negatively affect team performance and productivity. Think about how you can promote a light-hearted atmosphere, as this is the best way to mitigate stress. Hard work needs to be balanced with an uplifting corporate culture.

8. Embrace the unknown

Be brave and be bold. Change the way you view challenges, and welcome failure as it is inevitable in going forward. If you don’t embark on the path how will you reach success? Mistakes are stepping stones that help the leader and the team grow – they can be personal or on the group level. Learn from the experience, take responsibility for the problem and be transparent with the team. This can happen in the case of exceeding the budget or missing an important deadline. When this occurs, organize a group discussion focused around why the problem occurred and what could be done to avoid it in the future.

9. Have boundaries

Leaders make the rules that define the company strategy and identity of the teams. Setting healthy boundaries is important because in this way you set guidelines that establish how other people treat you. Above all, relationships should be mutually respectful and assertive rather than codependent. Schedule your tasks and prioritize your values – take charge. Communicate clearly and be prepared for negotiation. To create boundaries you need to understand the behaviors of the people you are managing and the group dynamics. The goal is not rebellion or backlash, but a supportive working environment.

10. Give feedback

Feedback can be in the form of criticism or positive recognition. Being honest with your team is the best way to guide them in the right direction. Be direct to ensure that the employees can understand their strengths and weaknesses and take steps to improve if required. Employees are more receptive to accept negative feedback in a safe environment – they will disengage if they feel like they are on the defensive side. However, you should also give the employee an opportunity to explain how they handled the particular situation. In addition, poor performance can sometimes be caused by personal problems. Constructive feedback and performance reviews should be ongoing and continuous.

References & Further Reading

https://www.forbes.com/sites/yec/2020/02/19/four-tips-to-make-you-a-better-leader/?sh=1139db8f531d

https://management30.com/blog/10-tips-to-becoming-a-better-leader/