Some leadership qualities come naturally, others can be learned. If things are not going the way you want them to you may have to adjust your attitude and your expectations. The 10 attributes in this blog post are must-have leadership qualities for those who want to take control…
Make Decisions
Decisions are made by those in charge. They may ask for advice from their team but the final call is theirs. Great leaders are seen to be the decision makers in a business, not the ones always asking for advice.
Manage Performance
Make your expectations for employee performance clear. Set targets for your team to meet and give them incentives to hit them – both positive and negative. Strike the right balance between a fear of repercussions and a desire to gain rewards.
Manage Change
Bad leaders do not adapt well, they get stuck in their ways and refuse change. Lead changes and ensure your team follows suit.
Motivate Others
The main task of a leader is to inspire and motivate others. If you’re not doing that then who are you leading? The definition of a leader is somebody who leads, so you first need people to lead. If you inspire others they will be more receptive to what you say and what you ask.
Communicate Well
Listen to others. There are a lot of people who think they are great leaders but don’t reach their potential because they do all the talking and none of the listening. People soon stop listening to them and they fade away.
Set a Direction
Leaders must take their team or their project in a direction. You should be clear about where you are going, how you plan to get there and what roles your team have in getting there. It also helps to know what you plan on doing when you get there!
Delegate
If you are the person doing everything then you are working alone, not leading a team. Decide who is best suited to perform each task – leaders should have all round general skills and rely on team member expertise for individual tasks.
Focus on the Right Things
Have clear goals for the hour, day, week, month, quarter, year, and further. Do not become distracted by anything that does not help you achieve your goal.
Deal with Crises
Good leaders prove themselves in crises. They lead the business out of trouble and show a positive face in a negative situation.
Fight the Right Battles
Only fight when the prize is worth fighting for. Choose your battles wisely and you will win all of them. It is better to compromise and make allies than always butt heads and make enemies.
This post was written by Silicon Beach Training, whose Leadership Training course in Brighton is great for honing your skills and managing a team. We also provide PRINCE2 training for project managers looking to enhance their skillset.