It’s no secret that leaders make a huge impact on those that they lead. Think back to your childhood - I’m sure we all remember a schoolteacher that we loved and one that we hated. As a business owner, you want to be one of those positive leaders for your team. But what makes a good leader and how do you ensure that your leadership is positively impacting your team? Keep reading as we break down the qualities of great leaders, the difference between leadership and management and the role of humility in leadership.
What are the qualities of a great leader?
A great leader possesses a certain ‘it’ factor that makes it seem as though they always know what is best. But despite how it may appear, great leadership is not something that you are born with but something that you develop and grow. We have compiled a list of 5 qualities that you can work on to improve your leadership.
1) Authenticity
It is important as a leader to be genuine and true to who you are. If you show up as your true self, you will inspire your team members to also be their authentic selves at work. Being yourself also allows others to trust your character and connect with you on a deeper level.
2) Curiosity
Great leaders are curious about the views of others. By looking at situations and issues from various standpoints, such as customers or competitors, you can make more informed decisions. It is also important to be curious about the viewpoints of your team members. Each member of your team has unique experiences which bring fresh ideas to problem solving.
3) Adaptability
Change is inevitable at any company, and as a leader you must be prepared for those changes. By being an adaptable leader, you promote an agile team culture and encourage your team to embrace new opportunities and challenges.
4) Creativity
Creativity is the driving force behind innovation. As a leader, your job is to create a workplace culture that supports and encourages creativity. This will promote a diversity of thought and allow all viewpoints to be heard. You’d be surprised what new ideas and opportunities arise when everyone is given the chance to share their thoughts.
To learn more about how to create a positive workplace culture for your team, read our blog post all about it!
5) Empathy
By connecting with your team members on an emotional level, you can create stronger bonds amongst your team. A stronger emotional intelligence can help you better understand your colleagues and create a supportive work environment for them.
Leadership vs. Management
Oftentimes the words “leadership” and “management” are used interchangeably. These terms, although similar, actually have different meanings. Look to the table below as we compare what it means to be a leader and what it means to be a manager.
Leadership | Management |
Focusses on motivating people towards a common goal. | Focusses on executing the functions and strategies of an organization. |
Sets a new direction or vision for the organization to follow. | Controls and/or directs people according to the principles and values that have already been established. |
Leadership requires trust. | Management needs control. |
The Role of Humility in Leadership
Remember that you are a human first, a leader second. A healthy dose of humility can help to elevate your leadership. Here are a few tips on how to lead with humility:
Tip #1: Be willing to do hands-on work
Your team needs to know that you are willing to work alongside them. To be a supportive leader, you need to help employees at all levels. For example, if your assistant is out sick, you need to be willing to answer the phones for a day. Remember that there is no job beneath your pay grade. You and your staff are a team, and you should be willing to work together with them.
Tip #2: Remove your ego from your decisions
Maintaining an objective mindset can be one of the biggest ways to show humility as a leader. Your colleagues need to be able to trust that you will be making decisions that will be for the benefit of the entire team. This will also help you to build the trust of your team members. One good way to remove your ego and bias is to get the advice of a trusted colleague. Sometimes an outside perspective can help you see a situation more clearly.
Tip #3: Lead by example
As a leader, you need to set the standard that you wish to see from your team. Make an effort to express the personal work habits that you would like your team to embody. For example, if you prioritize being punctual at your company, ensure that you are always on time for meetings and events.
As you see, leadership is a complex concept that requires various skills, including both technical and interpersonal strengths. That being said, knowing the best way to lead your team can be challenging and the methods that will work best for you depend entirely on your company’s specific needs. Need some help figuring out how to best lead your company? We are here to help! Here at STEPS, we offer business management support that can help you figure out how to best lead your team to success. Learn more about our services on our home page or reach out to us on our contact page.
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