9 Ways to Develop Your Leadership Skills: Tips from the Best Leaders in the World
9 Ways to Develop Your Leadership Skills: Tips from the Best Leaders in the World
Some people are natural leaders, but anyone can develop the skill set needed with some practice. If you want to take your career as far as it can go, then you have to be willing to put in the work. Here are 9 strategies to help you develop your leadership skills and keep advancing your career.
A good leader needs discipline. Developing discipline in your professional (and personal) life is a must in order to be an effective leader, and to inspire others to be disciplined as well. People will judge your capacity to lead by the amount of discipline you display at work
Know yourself
You are the CEO of your business, not someone else. Therefore, it is crucial to know and understand yourself, so that you can position yourself as someone that others can respect and follow. This will help you get a lot more out of your team and create the kinds of working environments where everyone feels comfortable to work.
Build a team
No, this isn't some stupid new-age concept. It's the key to success. Building a strong team of individuals is a great way to ensure success in any endeavor. In fact, studies show that employees with strong teams are more engaged and productive at work than those who work alone. The key to building a great team is making sure you set clear expectations from the beginning, and that those expectations are explicitly communicated throughout your team.
Develop discipline
Leadership is about clarity. Clear communication will allow your team to see your ideas and vision for the future clearly, and to work on them. Not all leaders are good communicators, and sometimes this is a weakness, but it can be turned into a strength if you build a team to which you communicate clearly and openly.
You may have to become unpopular, but it is worth it. In a world where power is held by the top 1% of people, it is always easier to be the boss. If you aren't happy in your current position, you may be able to improve your chances of moving up in the ranks by becoming a pain in the neck of your boss and friends.
Be a people person
Good leadership requires you to be able to work in teams. You should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to relate to others. Effective communication is a key skill, so invest in your own ability to speak in a team environment.
Learn the art of listening
Being an effective leader requires you to be able to listen to others and identify the needs of the group. Listening is a skill everyone has to develop, and the leaders who listen to their employees are usually the ones who achieve the best results.
Keep an open mind
Good leaders believe that others bring new ideas to the table.
Be willing to learn
Doing what you love and discovering your life’s purpose should always be a priority in your life. But, the reality is that you can’t be passionate about all the aspects of your life, especially at work. In order to develop as a leader, you need to develop a discipline for each particular role. Once you are able to dedicate yourself to one, then you will become an excellent leader, because your priorities will be clear and you can focus on doing the right thing for the right reasons
Be honest with yourself
Being a good leader is all about trust, and developing self-assurance. Without trust in others and yourself, you will not be able to lead a team effectively.
Give it your all
We’ve all heard the adage “Time is money” but if you really want to be a leader, you have to make sure that every single minute is maximized. Do not waste your time worrying about insignificant matters like going to the bathroom, or sitting around and waiting for a client to call.
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Get to work. Make a point of getting to work as soon as you walk into the office, even if you don’t have anything pressing to do at that moment. Put your smartphone away, turn off your computer, and get started on the next assignment that needs to be completed. Focus on the important and avoid wasting time on the things that don’t really matter.
Decide who will do what. The best leaders make decisions based on their own personal strengths and values.
Give others the credit they deserve
You may feel you should always be the one taking the initiative to make things happen, but it's important to let others step forward when they're able to. Share your successes with others, and give others the credit they deserve. You'll be surprised how often that puts you in a position to get another chance at an opportunity
Be a humble leader
Remember that it's the team that makes you successful. Take responsibility for everything you do, but let others take responsibility for everything they do. You are not the boss, but your team can be!
Take ownership
The more you take ownership for everything that happens, the more people will be prepared to take responsibility for it too. It's all about accountability. No one wants to admit they screwed up.
Share your vision with others
When you're a leader, there is always someone watching your every move. Showing them your vision of the future, of the company you want to lead, will help everyone to follow and improve upon your goals.
Be a good listener
Listen to others, truly listen to them. You may be a great leader in your area of expertise, but if you don't know how to listen to other people, then your plans may be derailed by people who don't understand why you're making a certain decision.
Be a people-person
You can't lead people if you don't like people. Working with others and working with other people all day is a requirement in leadership. Being nice and sociable is part of building a strong team.
Remember that leadership is a marathon, not a sprint
You need to come up with a strategy to pace yourself, so you can both stay disciplined and help others do the same.
Stay mentally and physically active
Leadership is not just about showing up for work every day and working hard. It’s about being engaged, responsible, and having a sense of purpose. This means leading from the heart and being mindful about your health, both for your sake and those you are leading.
Consider your company’s culture
In order to be a great leader, you also need to consider your company culture and how you fit within it. Know what your colleagues expect from you. Keep in mind what makes your company unique and how you can work towards building a long-term strategy to help your organization evolve.
Keep your sense of humor
It doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO of a global company, or a lowly cashier at your local supermarket – you need to stay positive in order to keep your team motivated and inspired. What’s more, your demeanor affects the tone of the entire work environment. Everyone has a unique voice, and your voice should always match your attitude. Keep your guard up, but always be yourself. You’re more likable that way!
See if someone can teach you something
If you want to know more about what you’re doing or if you just want to sharpen your skills, then consider getting some coaching from a mentor or trainer.