Leading the way

Part coach, part mentor and motivational guide: good leadership is so much more than being responsible for a group of people. An effective leader provides the right tools, offers guidance, and inspires employees to strive for and reach their personal best. While there are a lucky few who are "born" leaders, for most, being a great leader is an acquired skill, with traits learned and developed through perseverance, practice and self-reflection. 

Cultivating your leadership skills can not only make your own job more fulfilling, it can also help you build and maintain a dedicated team of people eager to work with you to accomplish goals. Take time to reflect on your own leadership and discover a few practical yet inspiring steps to becoming an effective leader.

Sharing your vision

Without a target to hit, how will you know where to aim? A good leader must have a clear and well-defined vision for what he or she wants to accomplish. Having an established vision helps with decision-making, as you can weigh options against how well they fit into the vision. A solid and clear grasp of the big picture can also provide employees with the context and logic behind your decisions. Keep these tips in mind when developing and communicating your vision to others:

Communicate your vision to everyone. You want people to live and breathe the vision of your team, knowing it completely so that decisions and actions are made with it in mind. Too often a vision statement is shared in management meetings, but not with the frontline staff. Information is power, so share that power with your employees. Doing so, enables them to make better decisions and, ultimately, helps everyone achieve their personal and shared goals.

Map it out. Though you may have your destination in mind, you’ll need to decide on a path to get there. Many people spend more time preparing for a week-long vacation than they do a life-long career plan. You are inviting people on a journey, so provide them with the tools and directions to reach their destination. Let them know what’s coming down the pipeline, weeks, months and even years in advance. Keep them informed of changes and new developments.

Keep it simple. Don’t ask or expect your employees to memorize a textbook of knowledge. Instead, keep your vision statement clear and jargon-free so that employees can easily memorize it and share it with colleagues. Explain what the vision means, what you hope to accomplish by it and how it can be a part of day-to-day practices.

Building a team of leaders

True leaders focus on growing and developing people. Help your employees realize their potential by encouraging them to develop their personal and professional skills. This will result in stronger team players who are committed to both individual and team success.

Hone leadership skills in your team members by:

Building on employee strengths. Finding the position that is the right fit for workers is crucial to individual and team success. Consider the assets the worker brings to the table and seek to provide him or her with a position that capitalizes on these and helps the employee realize his or her full potential. 

Coaching. Let your employees know that you are there to help and support them when they need it. Remember to provide them with the space they need to accomplish their tasks and trust them to come through for you. Avoid micromanaging. Instead try what most winning coaches do: guide employees, "players", towards achieving individual and team goals and provide constructive feedback and insights when they miss the mark.

Boosting employee confidence. Delegate, empower and celebrate: three simple actions that can give workers the lift they need to give more and do better. Assign employees tasks that challenge them and sometimes even require them to step out of their comfort zone. Remember to allow space for mistakes while your employees are learning. Then, when they’ve risen to the challenge or overcome an obstacle, be sure to celebrate these accomplishments. When encouraging your employee, avoid generic compliments like “good job” or “keep up the good work.” Be specific and tell your employee exactly what they did right.

Creating a cohesive team. In sports, a star player is usually not enough to win a championship. This is also true of teams at work. Team synergy is vital to both group and individual success. Give everyone equal time to talk during meetings and ensure team conflicts are handled swiftly and respectfully. Foster team spirit by celebrating victories and commiserating over setbacks together.