Traits of an Effective Leader
Leadership in any organization is entrusted with the responsibility of taking the organization forward, its establishes the direction in which the whole of the business shall move. Leadership has changed, while in late twentieth century it was mostly top-down thinking, with managers, professional and executives solving problems and thinking about attainment of organizational objectives, this has changed in the twenty-first century where everyone is strategic, thinking, leading, and doing. Based on my experience of working in different organization and across two different continents, i have found that a leader should have the following traits in order to be influential.
Empathy
A leader shall put himself in its employee's place, and than will have a better understanding of the issues and challenges. for a leader it's empathy that would make a difference and not sympathy. An effective leader demonstrates empathy by understanding and considering the feelings, perspectives, and needs of their team members. For instance, if an employee is going through a personal challenge, the leader listens attentively, shows compassion, and provides support or flexibility to help the employee cope.
Speaking the Truth
A leader needs to speak the truth, a lie wont work, a leader should always clearly communicate the true picture, this will help to bring people on board and establish trust. Leaders who prioritize honesty and transparency build trust and credibility. For example, if a leader encounters a mistake or a setback, they openly acknowledge it, take responsibility, and communicate the situation honestly to their team. This fosters a culture of trust and encourages open communication among team members.
Belief
If you have given them the job, then the organization must understand that these people will have something, otherwise they wouldn't have been part of the organization. A leader has to believe in the abilities of its employees, a leader shall trust the employee with not just responsibility but authority. A leader instills belief in their team's capabilities. They inspire confidence by expressing their faith in team members' skills and potential. For instance, a leader may assign a challenging project to an employee and convey their belief in their ability to successfully complete it, motivating the employee to excel.
Calrity in Goals and Expectations
A leader who fails to provide a proper direction is not a leader at all, when an employees comes to the leader with a problem, a leader shall be clear of what action needs to be taken, rather that putting it back to the employee and leaving it totally on the employee discretion, a leader shall clearly provide instructions, and even if the leader asks the employee to make a decision, the leader must then believe and trust employee's judgment. Effective leaders provide clear direction and communicate expectations to their team. They ensure that everyone understands the objectives, priorities, and desired outcomes. By setting clear expectations, a leader helps their team members align their efforts towards shared goals.
Being Involved
A leader just walking around is not good, he/she has to get their hands dirty. Get into the stuff, get involved, let the employees witness how much interest you have in the activities of the organization, this would help in generating enthusiasm amongst the employees, they will feel motivated and above all will understand that there is somebody watching and will make them more attentive. A leader actively engages with their team, staying connected to their work and progress. They participate in discussions, provide guidance, and offer assistance when needed. By being involved, leaders demonstrate their commitment and support, which motivates their team members to perform at their best.
Active Listening
A leader is either a multiplier or a diminisher, one who listen to the suggestions, ideas and trust the employees is a multiplier. A leader must listen to the subordinates in order to nurture their talent. Effective leaders actively listen to their team members, giving them a voice and valuing their input. They create an environment where ideas and concerns are heard. For instance, during team meetings, a leader actively listens to different perspectives, encourages open dialogue, and incorporates valuable insights into decision-making.
Action Oriented
Should be Done - Will be Done attitude wont work in the fast paced business world, it the let's do it approach that will get the business moving and the business will make a name for itself. A leader who is keep on implementing its decisions, one who takes action, one's who doesn't leave the things till the end, one who is proactive is more influential than the rest. Leaders are proactive and take initiative to drive progress. They don't just delegate tasks but actively contribute to achieving goals. For example, a leader may identify a process improvement opportunity and take the lead in implementing changes, showcasing their commitment to continuous improvement.
Reward Initiative
We all work for rewards, a leader has to blend in a good mix of financial and non-financial rewards for its employees. Sometimes a tap on the back is more influential than bonus. A rewarding culture within the business will boost discretionary behavior and will give a boost to performance. Effective leaders recognize and reward team members who show initiative, take on additional responsibilities, or propose innovative ideas. By acknowledging and appreciating their contributions, leaders motivate and encourage a culture of initiative and proactive behavior within their teams.
Embrace Mistakes to Avoid Blunders
I think it is one of the most important trait, and most of the time missing in leaders, understand that its human that are employee, and humans will make mistakes, a leader needs to create a culture where there is learning, where employees love to learn, they learn from everything, a leader must understand that its not the mistakes that hurt the organization but it is not learning from them. All employees must be made to learn from their mistakes so that blunder can be avoided. Leaders understand that mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of blaming or punishing mistakes, they encourage a culture where mistakes are acknowledged, analyzed, and used as lessons to avoid future blunders. By embracing mistakes, leaders create an environment where experimentation and innovation can thrive.
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