A Quick Leadership Guide You Can Actually Follow

Being a successful leader is no easy feat. It requires a delicate #balance of skills, attitudes, and actions to foster respect, authority, and trust from your team. The perfect leadership style doesn't need to be a mystery – it's about being authentic while boosting productivity and workplace happiness. Let's break it down into six simple steps you can easily implement.

Step 1: Be A Leader They Can Learn From

To be an effective leader, being approachable is key. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Delegate with Purpose: Assign tasks that contribute to your team members' growth. Let them know how their efforts tie into their career advancement.
2. Balanced Feedback: Avoid micromanaging, but provide constructive feedback when things go off-track. Focus on growth and improvement, not blame.
3. Lunch & Learn Sessions: Create a culture of continuous learning by organizing sessions where knowledge is shared and a growth mindset is nurtured.
4. Inclusive Decision-Making: Encourage brainstorming and diverse perspectives, while also explaining your decisions based on experience and intuition.

Step 2: Care About Their Growth and Well-Being

Nurturing your team's professional and personal development is crucial:

1. Catch-ups: Connect individually with your team members quarterly. Understand their aspirations and career goals.
2. Feedback and Action Plans: Learn about their job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Collaborate to devise action plans for improvement.

Step 3: Praise in Public, and Constructive Criticism in Private

Recognition plays a vital role in boosting morale and productivity:

1. Meaningful Recognition: Acknowledge specific achievements or exceptional work. Go beyond generic praise and highlight contributions to team goals. Highlight how those efforts had a positive impact on the larger goals of the team if possible.
2. Frequent Recognition: Regularly offer genuine recognition, free from biases.

Step 4: Keep It Cool

Ask yourself this question – Do you want people to fear you or respect you?

Respect is born from a calm and balanced approach:

1. Manage Anger: Remember anger doesn’t command respect. Keep your emotions in check and approach challenges objectively.
2. Avoid Extremes: Don't be a pushover, but also avoid being overly authoritarian. Work collaboratively with your team.
3. Neutral Perspective: Address issues without bias and encourage diverse thinking. Stay even tempered during conflicts and deadlines.
4. Avoid imposing strict rules: Provide the necessary flexibility that your team requires. Show consideration for their needs. Instead of commanding your team, collaborate with them. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and inner drive among your team members.

Step 5: Stay Ahead of the Learning Curve

Leadership is an ongoing journey of growth:

1. Continuous Learning: Embrace change and keep learning and unlearning.
2. Feedback Loop: Seek input from your team to refine your leadership approach.
3. Upgrade Skills: Enhance communication and emotional intelligence. Stay informed about industry trends.
4. Mentorship and Relationships: Seek mentorship and build professional relationships for ongoing support and learning.

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Step 6: Stay True To Your Word

Accountability is a two-way street:

1. Lead by Example: If you commit to something, follow through. Your accountability will inspire the same in your team.

Incorporating these steps into your leadership style can pave the way for a harmonious and productive work environment. Remember, #authenticity, #empathy, and #continuous #improvement are the cornerstones of successful leadership. Start small, and watch as your team's respect and trust in you naturally flourish.

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