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Leadership Skills - 10 Ways to Beef Up
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| Friday, December 26, 2008 |
10 Ways to strengthen your leadership skills
Have you ever heard someone say: "In fact, I must admit that I think I am really struggling to manage other people. My staff all hate me and I am unable to do my job. "
The answer is no, of course. Nobody said this is because they do not think so, or because they do not want to appear incompetent. Unfortunately, research shows that employees of view, there is not that many great managers there.
What should we take this dichotomy? Perhaps at the very least we could all ourselves to admit that it is possible to make improvements in how to lead others. After all, this is not the kind of skill that is easy to get 100% right all the time. It might just be that we do not know precisely what improvements to make the next 10 ways out:
1. Get a reality
Learn what others think of our leadership style can be an eye-opener, which is often the most powerful engine of change. Using 360 survey where you receive feedback from your staff, peers and manager, gives you some information on a topic sometimes intangible. Using an existing tool (and there are those very one) or simply let your staff knows you're looking for comments to improve your style.
A word of caution however, your staff May not feel safe in giving feedback to their opinion, if you will use it against them, or become defensive about what they say. It's up to you to create a secure environment so they feel comfortable being open and honest with you.
2. Do not use the power of your position to move forward
If people are questioning why certain things are done, or logical decisions, never pull rank in response. An essential component of effective leadership is to buy from your team and colleagues. You do not have to buy them saying that the decision is good because you're the boss and you did. May your team not always agree with what is done, but they are more likely to respect you if you take the time to explain your reasoning.
3. Do not think that employees of the things that must be controlled or managed
Instead, give them the latitude to take action and make decisions. Trust is an essential element of leadership. If you can not trust people to do their job well, then either you have bad people in employment, or if you have good people, but you do not have sufficiently trained. Let them do what they are there to do it without leaning over their shoulders all the time, or demanind how they spend every minute of their time.
4. Listen, listen, listen
If they are not satisfied or dissatisfied people in your business, you can guarantee that at some point they tried to tell you what the problem is. It is likely that you listen to (or would not listen), or maybe your first reaction of the person to think twice about bringing the problem to you. Listening is truly one of the greatest skills to develop, whatever your role. Good listeners are really interested, express empathy, and want to find out what lies behind the conversation. Great leaders are listeners? Without exception.
5. Stop providing solutions
Managers often achieve their positions after technical specialists, and have an opinion or view on how to "fix" situations or problems. They believe that it is faster to tell someone what to do, or do it themselves, to give their employees the opportunity to understand. By providing always answers, managers take their opportunity for employees to learn and find alternatives (and perhaps better) ways of doing things.
6. Always be constructive? forever
Communication and language skills of great leaders outside those poor. Do not patronize or criticism of others - assume full responsibility for how you heard. If you have taken yourself on the verge of making negative remarks, breathing and reformulate your words to get your message across without the emotional attachment. Great leaders always find a way to say things calmly and constructively.
7. Judge your success by the success of your team
The real success of a leader can be measured by the success of those who work for them. As manager of others, your main responsibility is to ensure the success and development of your team. If they are successful, you will automatically be successful. Focused on strengthening their skills and removing obstacles in their way. If you can achieve this goal, you will see the results of productivity, motivation and satisfaction of your employees. This, in turn, through filters bottom line results.
8. Do not do things just because they are "good".
Nothing is more transparent than managers who make decisions and behave in a way just to look good to their superiors. If you want to improve as a leader, one of the qualities you need is integrity. The integrity of decisions because they are right, and integrity to stand up when you really believe something is not in the best interest of the company. Whether or not in your best interest is much less of a consideration.
9. Humor include in your diet
Nobody likes to work in an environment that is devoid of any pleasure. People are more productive when they enjoy themselves. Creating a workplace where fun is permitted and encouraged can make a difference, and even more effective when the boss participates. It increases team spirit, and encourages people to see you as a person, not simply as the boss.
10. Let the people know the real you
Being open about yourself helps to break down the barriers that hierarchy is in place. When your employees know the person behind the facade, that's when you start laying the foundations of good leadership - trust and respect.
Megan Tough, director of Action Plus, is passionately committed to helping people move their business forward and careers. She works at the international level enterprising proefssionals to accelerate their development and create more financially and personally rewarding life. Visit her on the Web at http: / / www.megantough.com for more information. |
posted by neptunus @ 6:26 PM
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