6 Ways To Become a Standout Manager
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” — Henri Bergson
The Question
Which leadership competencies should you prioritize?
Advancing in your career requires more than just being good at your job; it demands leadership skills, too. While some naturally have these skills, most of us need to work on them intentionally to become great leaders.
Moving from being an employee or manager to becoming an effective leader means mastering essential leadership skills. This journey involves learning about leadership principles, receiving training, and improving your skills.
To be a great leader, you have to step out of your comfort zone and really work on improving key leadership abilities. Investing in your leadership development is crucial for becoming someone every company wants to have around.
The Research
Insights from Gallup show us something important: while many leaders find themselves with ample opportunities to grow and get useful feedback, things are different for managers, who often don't get these same chances. There's a big gap, highlighting the urgent need for better ways to develop leadership skills.
Even though companies spend a huge $50 billion each year on leadership programs, there's still a shortage of good leaders, and lots of potential talent isn't being developed (Gallup).
Some Advice
Leadership skills are more than just training; they inspire and motivate teams toward shared goals. On the other hand, management skills focus more on organizing and getting things done. While there's some overlap, not every manager naturally has what it takes to be a leader. So, if you want to be a manager who really shines, focusing on developing leadership skills is key.
Your Hack
Improving your leadership skills means understanding what companies are looking for. You can find a lot of these skills in job descriptions for leadership roles. As you look at these skills, think about how they could make you a better leader and improve the atmosphere in your workplace.
Here are some key skills to focus on:
Make these skills part of your daily routine. By doing that, you'll not only become a better leader but also create a more dynamic, goal-oriented workplace.
Transitioning from recognizing the significance of leadership skills to actionable steps for implementation, let's delve into specific strategies you can incorporate into your daily routine to enhance your leadership abilities.
1. Adapt Leadership Styles: Adjust your leadership approach to suit diverse situations and personalities within your team. Be flexible, ask for feedback, and know yourself.
2. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Work on understanding and connecting with your team on an emotional level. Listen actively, regulate your own emotions, and show empathy to build trust and respect.
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3. Master Relationship Building: Recognize and appreciate each team member's uniqueness to build strong bonds. This creates a positive work environment that boosts engagement and collaboration.
4. Enhance Critical Thinking: Sharpen your decision-making by considering different perspectives and staying open to new ideas. This helps you find effective solutions to problems.
5. Foster Employee Engagement: Find ways to get your team excited about the company's goals and values. Encourage open communication, recognize achievements, and offer opportunities for growth.
6. Commit to Continuous Learning: Keep developing yourself as a leader by seeking out new learning opportunities. Read books, take courses, and stay curious about how you can improve. And if you're seeking your next valuable resource, don't miss our FREE E-book, designed to guide busy leaders in understanding and optimizing their team's dynamics for high performance.
Parting Thoughts
Leadership is not just about the skills we develop but the impact we have on those around us.
As you work and hone your skills, get in the habit of asking yourself how you can leverage your newfound knowledge and skills to inspire others and drive positive change within your organization. Reflect on the potential ripple effects of your leadership journey, and embrace the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of growth and empowerment.
Unicorn Leaders — The Podcast
Have you heard the newest episodes!?
Our most recent podcast guests are Andre Fernandez and Eva Manole.
Andre Fernandez (Co-Founder & CEO at Invert) dives into how he found his way into creating a socially impactful business while sharing valuable lessons and principles that he embraced on his journey to success as a leader, from letting go of micro details to building high performing teams and influencing decision-making processes, he's going to get into tactical ways that will transform your leadership approach and how you create meaningful impact.
Eva Manole (Director, Org. Dev. at Fullscript) shares how she uses a product-led mindset to develop new learning and development strategies at Fullscript, which has about 800 employees. She dives into new strategies she uses to build community among teams in her current role and shares the tools, resources, and approaches she uses to develop opportunities that help individuals blossom in their own way.
Take a listen & subscribe.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Sincerely,
The Unicorn Labs Team
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